El Vino

Address: 47 Fleet Street , (opp. Fetter Lane), London, EC4Y 1BJ, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7353 6786
Website: view El Vino’s website
Door: Open door/walk-ins
Style: Wine bar
Food: Set menu

Review

El Vino was established in 1897 as a wine merchant and bar, and moved to Fleet Street in 1923. Little seems to have changed since. The small antechamber at the front of the shop still operates as an off-licence. Behind the sturdy old mahogany bar, casks of sherry still sit among shelves loaded with wine. The front section of the bar is self service while the back area offers table service; there is a restaurant in the basement.

El Vino's location naturally made it popular with members of the legal and journalistic professions. Although most of the hacks have relocated to far flung parts such as Wapping, pinstriped solicitors and barristers still pack into El Vino at lunchtime and in the evening to enjoy a swift Claret. Indeed, El Vino featured in the British TV series, 'Rumpole of the Bailey'. Immortalised as 'Pomeroy's', it was the eponymous hero's favourite bar.

El Vino has a suitably impressive wine list with a bias towards Burgundy and Bordeaux. Mobile phone use is discouraged.

El Vino was owned by the Michell family but in 2015 was purchased by James Davy, Chairman of the Davy wine bar chain.