L’Atelier Du Vin open their second Brighton bar in Seven Dials
Home to the city’s biggest collection of wine and spirits
The team behind Brighton’s Prohibition cocktail and wine bar, L’Atelier Du Vin, are opening their second bootlegger bar at Seven Dials this week. Home to the city’s biggest collection of wines and spirits, the 45-cover space brings over 800 wines, 350 spirits and 200 champagnes to a unique space in a thriving part of the city when they open their doors on Friday 5thJuly.
Following the success of their St George’s Place 25-cover prohibition bar, co-owners and wine experts Steve Pineau and Dimitri Mesnard are excited to bring their second venue to Seven Dials. Steve says, “I am so excited about our second venture. I think this area of Brighton will really like what we do and it’s a great location, with a bit of a village feel too. We’re lucky to have such a great space out the back too, where people will be able to enjoy cocktails and champagne in the sunshine this summer.”
While L’Atelier Du Vin Brighton takes a lot of its influence from Loire Valley, their second destination is inspired by the Burgundy region of France with a twist of Italy, with General Manager Stefano Angeloni’s focus on making wine accessible. Stefano is a certified master sommelier and knows his wine, so you can find out a lot about the wine you are drinking if you want to. LDV Seven Dials will be following a very Italian style when it comes to spirits, with a wide range of gins, aperitif including vermouth and a lot of homemade bitters, as well as lemoncello.
Replicating the bootlegger bar style of their original site, L’Atelier Du Vin Seven Dials will transport you back to the 1920s where you’ll find mismatched cosy furniture, welcoming you to while away the hours. The salvaged space makes the most of the exposed brickwork, making the most of original features, low lighting and misty jazz sounds to set the perfect atmosphere for popping in to enjoy a glass of wine and a bite to eat, or spending the whole night comfortably sipping on cocktails.
The bar has been hand built by co-owner Steve using vintage drawers and covered in two pence pieces – a homage to his arrival in the UK some twenty years ago. Their cocktail menu is classically inspired and organised chronologically for the cocktail’s invention, creating authentic cocktails stripped back to their original inspiration and flavour, whilst also making cocktails with a modern twist. Bar Manager Luca will continue to oversee both sites to ensure L’Atelier Du Vin is about enjoyment not snobbery.
Protégé’s of the late Gerard Basset (OBE, MS, MBA, OIV, MSc), Steve and Dimitri worked for many years under his wing and his profound and iconic expertise. They continue to honour him at the new site as it will be home to the Gerard Basset library, showcasing some of his personal collection of books for guests to enjoy reading alongside a drink when they visit.
Also new to the L’Atelier Du Vin offering is the Bootlegger Club, offering members the opportunity to be part of an exclusive club that not only secures a 10 per cent discount for up to parties of four all year round, but they will also receive a complimentary bottle of champagne on their birthday. For members that have always dreamt of building their own cellar, they will receive help and advice from Dimitri Mesnard MS, who can also help build up a wine investment portfolio if that’s your preference. The annual membership fee of £250 will be set for life and members will also gain exclusive access to events and wine tastings throughout the year.
Head to the back of the building and you’ll find a private champagne and cocktail garden for up to 20 guests, offering a unique menu and experience for customers that want to feel like they are transported to a French vineyard garden.
Whilst the main focus of their second space is still very much on the drinks, the team will offer a selection of charcuterie and cheeses to complement the wine and cocktail list. Following updates on their large kitchen space downstairs, they will be teaming up with some of the best chefs in Brighton and beyond for a series of pop-up events from September, aiming for between ten to fifteen per year.
L’Atelier Du Vin isn’t just a bar or a place to meet, it’s a place for guests to relax and feel as comfortable as they would in their own home, whist being taken on a journey through regions and time to explore a plethora of flavours. Opening to the public on Friday 5thJuly, daily from 12.00pm until late. Visit www.Latelierduvin.co.ukto find out how you can experience Brighton’s biggest selection of wines and spirits, being part of one of Brighton’s best kept secrets.