The team at HQ have developed a love for our SW neighbourhood – the creativity, diversity and consistent evolution means no two days are the same. With exciting pop ups, hidden gems and downright delicious places at every angle you turn, it’s hard to decide where to shell out your precious time and hard earned cash. Lucky for you, we have a list! Here are a few HQ wine gurus fave hangouts…

NZ CELLAR AT POP BRIXTON

For obvious reasons, we love Pop Brixton. Home to over 55 independent start ups, small businesses and plenty of food options (that we happily pair with the NZ wines from our Wine Bar & Store), there is something to satisfy every foodie’s appetite and it’s all so ‘grammable’.

Pop is open 7 days a week with live music, djs and events – grab your mates any night of the week, It is perfect for after work drinks or meeting up with that special someone. The biggest range of NZ wines in the UK can be sampled by the glass or bottle. With a selection of over 130 wines, there is a wine for everyone. Whether you’re a wine expert or not, the chill vibe ensures a comfortable approach to epic wines and everyone is made to feel welcome. It is the kiwi way!

We recommend:
Neudorf ‘Rosies Block’ Chardonnay with Crispy Prawn things SAKEYA

Where:
S15, 49 Brixton Station Road, London, SW9 8PQ

NAUGHTY PIGLETS

It’s not all about size with this one – If you like chargrill, basement bars and wines coming from small producers focusing on terroir, minimal intervention (more commonly referred to as ‘natural’ wine) then this is a MUST on your list. Don’t invite too many friends, as Naughty Piglets don’t take bookings for any groups bigger than 6 – which of course means you can enjoy your wines in a cosy space. The food is next level tasty, you have to try for yourself, and report back! Trust us you will enjoy.

We recommend:
Naughty Piglets has a seasonal menu that is constantly changing. But last time the team visited our go to was the Devon Crab, peanut and pickled cabbage – Totally blew our socks off. 

Where:
28 Brixton Water Ln, Brixton, London SW2 1PE

SALON

Brixton Village Market has never looked so damn good. Salon has been an evolution overtime and their menu is always on point and changes week to week! Lucky for us they’ve made their home permanent (and its literally 3 minutes from our HQ) and most importantly they’ve added a wine store next door – everything from biodynamic, organic and low intervention wines from all over the world. Better yet you can grab a bottle and take it next door for dinner/drinks. No brainer, right?

We recommend:
The Beetroot hummus from the bar menu with a glass of Gamay Noir – Heaven.

Where:
18 Market Row, Brixton, London SW9 8LD

URBAN WINERY – LONDONCRU

Did you know there is a winery – yes an actual winery, where they make ‘actual’ wine located right here in SW?! Introducing the LondonCru (from Roberson Wines) who fly in the best grapes they can find around Europe & the UK to make small batch wine with minimum intervention.

They offer private functions in their cellar door and public days where you can view all the behind the scenes action, taste the fruits of their labour and even  get your hands dirty by becoming a winemaker for the day.

We recommend: 
Visiting the cellar door for a free tasting of the LondonCru range.

http://londoncru.co.uk/

Where:
21-27 Seagrave Road, London SW6 1RP

TUPPS

Okay so now we’re really in luck… 79 meters from our HQ is the newest and sexiest pop up Brixton has seen in a long time! Cheese + Wine, say no more, right? Open Saturday and Sundays just for November and December, their range of homemade pate´, charcuterie and cheese boards (think British pork scratching and Camembert de Normandie with truffle honey) is perfect alongside their uncomplicated and approachable wine list. We’re glad they’ve joined our street, but remember it’s for a limited time only!

We recommend:
Try it all! You might even be lucky to find some Kumeu River wines on their list as well…

Where:
348 Coldharbour Ln, Brixton, London SW9 8QH

HERNE HILL MARKET

If you’re all about rest, recovery or indulging (or replenishing as we like to call it) head along to the award winning Herne Hill Market. Sunday’s from 10am- 4pm Railton Road fills up with over 40 community stalls that will consume all of your senses. Fresh produce, vintage clothing stalls and food options galore plus you can even get massages here! We love strolling through and supporting our local community on Sunday’s. There isn’t a better way to end a weekend of visiting wine bars and foodie hotspots than with a few delectable treats and those much ‘needed’ presents to yourself!

We recommend:
You can’t go home without picking up some fresh vege and a sourdough loaf from Brickhouse bread.

Where:
Railton Rd, Herne Hill, London SE24 0JN

DAVID BOWIE TRIBUTE MURAL

We know, we cheated here! But can you blame us? No hotspot list of South West is complete without mentioning the Iconic Mural. Step off the tube at Brixton, cross the road and you can view the David Bowie Tribute Mural which is only a short walk away from where the legend himself grew up. The bright and colourful mural was painted in 2013 with the image of Bowie – or Ziggy Stardust from his 1973 album cover Aladdin Sane and the iconic lightning bolt across his face that he noted represented the ‘duality of the mind’. Although photographing this is hard (thanks to the glare of the perspect protecting it), if you’re a die hard fan, or just passing by it’s definitely worth viewing and appreciating the legend of Bowie.