Stable Wines

Tucked beneath a bottle shop on Essex Road, Stable Wines is Islington’s most atmospheric spot for a glass of something special. This subterranean wine bar has all the moody allure of a secret catacomb—think flickering candlelight, concrete walls, and intimate alcoves that practically beg for whispered conversations and lingering glances.

The team behind local favorites Goodbye Horses, The Dreamery, and Day Trip has created something genuinely transportive here. Whether you’re sipping aged white wines that wouldn’t feel out of place in an art collector’s private cellar or nibbling on tartare-topped potatoes, there’s an undeniable sense of being somewhere special. The staff clearly know their wines inside and out, happily guiding you through even the vaguest requests with a knowing smile.

This isn’t the place to bring your entire friend group or catch up with a casual acquaintance. Stable Wines is unabashedly designed for romance—couples tucked into candlelit corners, friends on the edge of becoming something more, or anyone looking to add a touch of intrigue to their evening. The atmosphere does most of the heavy lifting, but the excellent wine selection seals the deal.

If you can snag a spot and stay until closing time, you might just be rewarded with the dregs of an open bottle—a generous pour that feels like a secret handshake. Just be prepared to leave when they ask; even the coolest wine caves have to close eventually.