Gordon's Wine Bar, WC2

Not having been in here for 25 years, I don't know if the walls are still damp, but this is an absolutely charming wine bar next to Charing Cross station. I believe that it's wine-only in here but nevertheless, it's a must-visit when in London, especially if you like cheese!

There is no draught ale at all in here.

An unusual establishment, Gordon’s is a Victorian wine bar which is family run and occupies one end of Kipling House, an historic building on 13th Century foundations whose vaults form part of the wine bar, the house now sadly sub-divided. Food is the main business, along with the wine, and there is no beer which is a major flaw. The interior is atmospheric and interesting, the food is good but expensive, there is ample outside seating when the weather allows, but its location does mean it is noisy. Worth visiting for a meal or an evening of wine drinking, but I wouldn’t include on a pub crawl.

Gordon's is not a pub, it is a wine bar, but a wine bar like no other. I would never normally review a wine bar, but Gordon's is something special. Almost nothing has changed in the last 120 years. The interior is black with the soot of a million candles, the furniture is battered and the lights are dim. There is a entrance on the main street, but it is currently not in use and a sign directs you down the side alley, to a very narrow, steep, dark entrance that you wonder if you will ever exit from. They sell no beer and no spirits, there is a large sign warning you of this. The wine, port and sherry list is concise but has everything that you might need at very good Central London prices. Food is served, consisting of pork pie, scotch egg, salmon and beef platters with a self serve salad bar. They also do 1, 2 or 3 slice cheese platters with the same salads. The staff can be quite blunt. If you dally about with your order, they will drop you an move onto the next customer, but stick around and they will get back to you. By far the best value order is a full bottle of wine and a couple of glasses, a decent Malbec will set you back just £20. There is seating in the alley, either on the pavement or in a small covered smoking area, but to be honest, you are missing out if you stop there. Find a table inside in a really dark spot and people watch for an hour over a decent glass of something fruity. A must do London drinking spot.

Official site of Gordons Wine Bar, contains menu and wine list - gordonswinebar.com