Knightsbridge enjoys a prime setting right by Hyde Park to the north, and some of the city’s most luxurious shopping streets to the south and east. The neighbourhood is known for its prestigious hotels, high-end department stores, embassy buildings and elegant homes. Harrods draws crowds and acts as its unofficial anchor, whilst the surrounding streets quickly turn calmer and more low-key. Despite the concentration of high-end retail and hospitality, the area remains compact and easily walkable.
Within Knightsbridge’s environment, wine bars make a natural fit. There’s a strong culture of dining and socialising here, and wine-led spaces offer a way to enjoy this golden postcode without the formality of a large restaurant or the hustle and bustle of a traditional bar. They provide settings that favour conversation, comfortable seating, knowledgeable service and well-thought-out drinks lists.
The wine bars found here vary in style. Some are located within grand hotels and serve prestige Champagne, some take influence from Italian dining rooms, and others have a lounge feel, with music and entertainment elevating the experience. Knightsbridge’s wine bars prioritise quality, where the emphasis falls on atmosphere as much as the glass itself, fitting perfectly with the character of the neighbourhood.
The Berkeley Bar & Terrace
Located inside the 5-star Berkeley hotel in Knightsbridge, and just moments from Hyde Park, is The Berkeley Bar & Terrace. Inside, the bar unfolds with dark woods, ambient lighting, curved architectural details, marble tables, velvet seating, and a glowing fireplace. The bar itself was designed using timber from a single 400-year-old walnut tree, which gives the space a sense of grandeur. One side is home to The Snug, a private room perfect for gatherings or celebratory drinks, with its own sound system and personalised service.
From the wine list, guests can explore a range of options, from familiar pours to rare vintages, with staff on hand to guide their choices. Alongside the wines comes a selection of small plates, including Cornish crab and lobster beignets, wafer-thin Iberico ham toast with manchego and salsa verde, or oysters and caviar for those who feel like upgrading the moment. The Berkeley Bar & Terrace opens from late morning through to after midnight, making it an easy go-to option, no matter what your plans look like.
Harry’s Dolce Vita
Just a short stroll from Harrods on Basil Street, Harry’s Dolce Vita offers a Knightsbridge take on the classic Italian wine bar. The establishment is set up for socialising, with mustard leather seating stretching along the restaurant creating a buzz that feels closer to an Italian get-together than a private, candlelit experience. For intimacy, however, the Canaletto Room is a private space regularly used for birthdays, anniversaries, and networking events, found behind a secret door on Hans Road.
The wine list celebrates Italy from north to south. The list ranges from crisp Alto Adige whites to Tuscan reds and Sicilian bottles, with knowledgeable staff ready to guide anyone unfamiliar with Italy’s wine regions. Guests can order by the glass or select full bottles that complement the food menu. Light bar plates pair perfectly with a tasting session, including truffle arancini, creamy burrata, wafer-thin pizzette and cured meats and cheeses. Italian cocktails bring an extra bit of fun, particularly for those partial to a spritz or a classic aperitivo. Harry’s Dolce Vita is an easy addition to a Knightsbridge wine bar lineup. In an area full of sparkle and style, Harry’s adds its own Italian twist.
The Mandarin Bar
Located inside the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, The Mandarin Bar offers a wine and cocktail setting just moments from the park. The interior, designed by Adam D. Tihany, takes shape around the long, catwalk-style bar that runs through the room. Suspended copper lighting and a gold-patterned frosted glass wall add texture to the room, whilst the layout keeps the room open and social with a mix of bar stools and low lounge chairs.
Alongside its broader drinks list and cocktails, the bar offers a strong Champagne selection by the glass and a range of international bottles. The food menu sticks to bar-friendly dishes, including arancini, tuna tacos, lobster rolls and cheese boards. For those looking to lean into the hotel’s luxury credentials, caviar service is also available, and with an aperitivo menu by Heston Blumenthal, The Mandarin Bar is the perfect stop before dinner.
The Library Bar
Inside the luxurious Lanesborough Hotel, The Library Bar occupies a prime spot near Hyde Park Corner. The bar itself is often described as a “liquid museum”, and from the moment the door opens, the buzz of the city disappears and old-world charm takes over. There are floor-to-ceiling mahogany shelves filled with bottles, and leather-upholstered chairs positioned beneath low mood lighting.
Though famed for its cocktails and spirit collection, including cognacs dating back to the 1770s, The Library Bar does not neglect wine. There’s an exceptional range of Champagne from houses such as Moet and Chandon, and Bollinger, along with vintage bottles and even servings of Dom Perignon by the glass. Still wines include Spanish Verdejo, Malbec from Mendoza and Rioja Reserva. Bar snacks such as Oysters Belgravia, British cheese boards, and Imperial Oscietra caviar complement the wine menu. Open from midday to after midnight, The Library Bar is a timeless establishment with an atmosphere more like a grand private club than a hotel bar.
Knightsbridge’s wine bars show how varied one neighbourhood can be when it comes to drinking well. Whether it’s Italian warmth, late-night cabaret colour, or old-world charm, together, they reveal an intriguing drinking scene with establishments that rise to the occasion. Knightsbridge has never been short on glamour, but its wine bars prove it also has plenty of character. From a single glass to mark the end of the day to an evening that unfolds at its own pace, these are places ready to deliver.
