Vagabond to open flagship St Paul’s venue

Vagabond Wines is opening a flagship wine bar this August in the former First Dates restaurant space near St Paul’s. The move marks the beginning of a new chapter following the chain’s acquisition by Majestic earlier this year. When Vagabond Wines quietly slipped into administration early last year, the sudden collapse of a much-loved name in the capital’s wine bar scene raised eyebrows. But since its rescue by specialist wine retailer Majestic, the self-pour innovator is staging a confident return and it’s starting in a location already familiar to many romantics. Set to open this August in Warwick Court, Paternoster Square, Vagabond’s new flagship site will seat more than 250 guests and serve over 110 wines by the glass, the highest number at any Vagabond location. It will occupy the former home of Channel 4’s First Dates restaurant and the setting appears no accident. With an estimated 4.8 million first dates taking place in London each year, the brand is leaning into its reputation for connection and discovery. Managing director Christobell Giles called the new bar “welcoming, romantic, social and just a little bit iconic”. The concept remains true to the brand’s roots: approachable, experiential and designed for those who want to explore wine at their own pace.

A new era under Majestic

The opening is the first major step in a wider expansion plan following Majestic’s acquisition of the group in April. The deal, which saved more than 170 jobs, added nine bars to Majestic’s portfolio. Three locations including Vagabond Canary Wharf and two Gatwick Airport sites, were excluded from the sale. Majestic said the acquisition would help it reach a younger wine-drinking audience and offer new routes for engagement beyond traditional retail. It also strengthens the position of its commercial division, which now supplies over 3,000 hospitality venues across the UK. John Colley, CEO at Majestic, described the deal as “the start of a long-term partnership” and said the business was “committed to investing in the Vagabond brand”. Plans are already underway for further sites, with a new Liverpool Street bar scheduled to open in September as part of the Broadgate Campus development.

Roots in experimentation

Vagabond first opened in Fulham in 2010 with a mission to make wine more accessible and enjoyable. Its interactive self-pour dispensers and relaxed approach to education quickly gained popularity, allowing customers to explore wines from lesser-known producers in a casual setting. While the business reported £7.4 million in revenue in 2022, the closure of its Heathrow Terminal 5 site, after £1.3 million had been invested, appears to have been a tipping point. The site’s shutdown, driven by changes to airport security, left the group vulnerable and administrators were appointed in March 2024 to restructure operations and protect jobs. Now, under Majestic’s ownership and with new investment, Vagabond is charting a course for long-term recovery and growth. A renewed focus on connection, both between guests and with wine, appears central to the vision.