Published: 07 October, 2026
When it opens at Olympia’s Grade II-listed National Hall this month, Incipio Group’s Juno will be the largest Italian dining destination in the UK – spanning over 11,500sq ft, with 265 covers and capacity for 500 guests. Serving traditional dishes made with fresh, quality ingredients, the venue will take guests through the whole Italian experience, from aperitivo, contorni and spuntino through to antipasti, primi piatti – centred around homemade pasta – and larger secondi piatti. Highlights include tomato & mozzarella paccheri and crab linguine with hand-picked crab, with a 10-seat Pizza Napoletana counter also on offer, showcasing the skills of three expert chefs. With a dedicated stage built into the restaurant, a programme of live music, DJ sets and other events is also intended to run alongside the food and drink offer.
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Published: 06 October, 2026
Since the beginning of 2026 independent wine distributor Flint Wines has added eight team members. The changes mean that 50% of the business’s headcount is now dedicated to trade sales.
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Published: 05 October, 2026
Drinks supplier Jascots Wine Merchants has been appointed the principal wine supplier for the Barbican. This followed a City of London Corporation tender process.
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Published: 05 October, 2026
An ode to the classic Victorian pub, The Poet is an ambitious new project from Spencer Large, Honey Spencer and Charlie Sims – the team behind Hackney restaurant Sune. Its new venue is next to Smithfield market in a historic building soon to be one of the six Houses surrounding London Museum’s new location. Initially only the ground level and first-floor space will be open, as a British pub and dining room – serving fine ales, wines and spirits, along with playful takes on bar snacks, including Scampi Fries Scotch egg. In 2027, Envoi, a 10-seat chef’s table restaurant will then launch – run by Charlie Tayler (pictured), formerly of Aulis and The Ledbury and now overseeing food across the project – along with Shambles, a standalone attic cocktail bar.
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Published: 02 October, 2026
Hospitality is being squeezed on all sides, with the combination of rising costs and nervous customers creating a significant pinch-point on pricing. Too low and venues are busy but unprofitable; too high and their customers stay away altogether.
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Published: 01 October, 2026
Importer Modal Wines has unveiled its new Nuvo Nivo range, a collaboration built on long-term grower and winemaker relationships.
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Published: 14 September, 2026
Coravin has announced the launch of its Symposium for Sommeliers, an event aimed at taking a “deep dive” into the business behind restaurant wine lists.
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Published: 11 September, 2026
Located in the historic vaults of Edinburgh’s Rutland Hotel, cocktail bar Understory will aim to be a “five-star dive bar” experience when it opens mid-September, providing innovative but no-nonsense drinks and genuine hospitality. Its rotating menu of cocktails will be built around the feeling of nostalgia, with its debut ‘chapter’ – Batch 01: Halcyon Days – drawing on British childhood memories, reimagining the colours, flavours and aromas of penny sweets – along with “half-remembered summers”. Founded by James Grant, head of bars at the Rutland, along with former Bramble manager Sam Baxendale – who has over 21 years’ experience in the capital’s top venues – the project also features a punchy menu of small plates, serving beef tartare and caviar with crisps, barbecue corn ribs and chicken tenders with champagne.
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Published: 09 September, 2026
This much-loved St James’s institution – which has captivated royalty, writers and films stars for generations – is set to reopen this October after a significant restoration by owner The Evolv Collection. The refurb honours the room’s Art Deco roots and its famous staircase, along with its history of entertainment – a new stage will bring live music and cabaret closer to guests than ever. The culinary experience focuses on a new menu that traces the life of founder Giovanni Quaglino – who opened the location’s doors in 1929 – following him from Piedmont to Cannes by way of the Savoy. The same applies to the well-known Q Bar, which will offer cocktails reflecting his journey – including new takes on Savoy staples – while a new champagne bar offers 24 champagnes by the glass and bottle.
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Published: 07 September, 2026
This pioneering addition to London’s hospitality scene is the capital’s first dedicated wine and sake bar, allowing consumers to discover these categories together through selected bottles and carefully tailored pairing menus. Building on founder Maxime Maiano’s belief that both beverages deserve to be part of the same conversation, the Angel-based venue focuses on high-quality, small-production wines along with premium sake expressions. These come together in Sane’s immersive and educational approach to hospitality, with guests able over the coming weeks to select tasting flights pairing a trio of dishes with wines and sakes – allowing them to experience first-hand how each drink interacts with the same flavours. The experience will be guided by an expert sommelier.
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Published: 07 September, 2026
London’s grande dame hotel The Savoy is set to open Beaufort Wine Bar this October as the historic hotel’s “dedicated wine discovery destination”.
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Published: 07 September, 2026
The Pinnacle Guide – the recognition system that awards the globe’s top cocktail bars – has unveiled that seven venues have moved up from one Pin to two Pins as part of the guide’s first ever renewal process.
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Published: 02 September, 2026
Another on-trade innovator features in our annual summer Q&A series. Tom Fahey, sommelier and chef patron at The Terrace Rooms & Wine, details the success of his new wholesale arm, the challenges of negotiating the Isle of Wight’s quiet off-season and why he is listing dark rosés as chilled reds.
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Published: 28 August, 2026
Top somm at Cambridge’s Michelin-starred Restaurant Twenty-Two Bethany Pogson provides her perspective for our ongoing summer Q&A. Here she reflects on negotating the impact of the cost-of-living, the success of the venue's in-house wine club and the appeal of Niagaran ice wine.
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Published: 26 August, 2026
New findings from the 2026 Drinkaware Monitor suggests that at the same time as UK drinkers are moderating their alcohol consumption, weekly binge drinking is increasing.
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Published: 24 August, 2026
Claridge’s director of wine Emma Denney adds her perspective to our ongoing summer Q&A series. The top somm reflects here on shifting consumption habits; the steadfast popularity of classic wine regions; and anticipates a busy festive trading for the grand dame hotel.
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Published: 21 August, 2026
As we press ahead with our summer Q&As, next up is leading sommelier Luke Harbor, group beverage director at The Pig Hotels, who reflects here upon on-trade trends; the exciting prospects for English wine; and why more young people should take a chance at a career in hospitality.
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Published: 18 August, 2026
Over half of Scottish people (58%) are cutting back on both drinks and meals at hospitality venues, according to a new survey from The Knowledge Bank, the insight hub from trade body Scotland Food & Drink.
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Published: 11 August, 2026
This autumn, Vagabond Wines is set to open a new location in Brighton’s Duke Street, its second bar outside London.
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Published: 07 August, 2026
Next up in our annual summer Q&A is Paul Morgan, owner of dynamic Brighton wine hub Fourth and Church. Here he reflects on the year to date for his restaurant-cum-bar-cum-wine shop; his hopes for the future; the challenges of operating an indie business; and what the decision makers in Whitehall could do to ease the burden.
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