Bars & Pubs

What is it about quotations and wine bars? Scrawled throughout this rambling venue you’ll find ‘Champagne is a way of life, a state of mind, and better than Prozac’ and more of such unalloyed praise. It’s as if the love of the grape isn’t made clear enough by a cellar of 20,000 bottles, and maps of world wine regions covering the walls. No one could help but notice, however, that South African-owned Vivat Bacchus is the place to drink good wine. Rarely can you find such a selection of South African bottles that includes the spice-edged, silky and strawberry-like 2004 Hamilton Russell pinot noir: something that competes with mid-range Burgundy. Bubbly is taking an ever-increasing role here and the list has expanded to include examples from the rest of the wine world too – Ca del Solo’s 2005 Malvasia Blanco being an unusual, smoky, honey and peach-stone-filled wine from California. The interior decor of the whole place is somewhat odd and rather distracting throughout: exposed, unpolished wood beams; cardboard boxes full of wine above the bar; and air-con ducts circling above the punters’ heads.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009