Stable Wines: Islington’s Atmospheric Essex Road Gem by Young & de Vos

Key Points

• Stable Wines is a new wine bar on Essex Road in Canonbury, North London, opened by Alex Young and George de Vos, the duo behind Goodbye Horses and The Dreamery.
• Hot Dinners was among the first to visit, describing it as “London’s most beautiful wine bar” due to its stunning design, including a modern glass wine shop above ground and a much larger underground space with an old bank vault.
• Location: Top of Essex Road, halfway between The Brave gastropub and Godet wine pub; nearest station is Essex Road, accessible by bus from Angel or Highbury Corner.
• Booking policy: Walk-ins only for most seating; groups of six or more can book arches online; wine shop upstairs has a tasting table for waiting.
• Seating areas: Main room with communal table (ice buckets for wines by the glass, candles); round wine room with circular table; long corridor with three bookable private arches; perching space for drinks.
• Atmosphere praised for being atmospheric and gorgeous, ideal for exploring new wines; busy pre-Christmas period delayed full reviews until now.
• Access via narrow staircase from the wine shop to expansive underground bar, four or five times larger than the ground-level shop.

Islington, Stable Wines (North London News) February 3, 2026 – Stable Wines, the latest venture from Alex Young and George de Vos of Goodbye Horses and The Dreamery, has been hailed as one of London’s most striking wine bars since its opening on Essex Road in Canonbury. Visitors, including early reviewers from Hot Dinners, have praised its atmospheric underground space and innovative design, drawing crowds despite a walk-in policy. The venue combines a modern glass wine shop above with a vast cellar bar below, perfect for wine exploration.​

What Do We Need to Know About Stable Wines?

Hot Dinners journalists were the first in through the door to check out Stable Wines, as detailed in their comprehensive review published on 1 December 2025. They noted that the bar, created by Alex Young and George de Vos—the pair behind the popular Goodbye Horses and The Dreamery—left them struggling for superlatives.

“With no early visuals to speak of, there was no preparing us for what we instantly proclaimed to be London’s most beautiful wine bar,”

the Hot Dinners team wrote, highlighting the venue’s unexpected allure.​

The review emphasised the chaotic busyness in the run-up to Christmas, which delayed their full tasting until recently. This underscores Stable Wines’ immediate popularity in Islington’s vibrant dining scene. As reported by the Hot Dinners gastroblog team, the bar’s design alone sets it apart, blending retail and hospitality seamlessly.​

Furthermore, the piece from Hot Dinners linked Stable Wines directly to the entrepreneurs’ previous successes, positioning it as a natural evolution in their portfolio of atmospheric drinking spots.​

Where Exactly Is Stable Wines Located?

Stable Wines sits at the top of Essex Road, in an area many assume to be De Beauvoir but which is technically Canonbury, a distinction clarified in the Hot Dinners review. It lies halfway between The Brave gastropub and the wine-focused Godet pub, making it a convenient stop for locals and visitors alike.​

Public transport users will find Essex Road station the nearest overground option, with easy bus connections from Angel or Highbury & Islington stations.

“Getting here by public transport makes Essex Road your nearest station, but it’s also an easy bus ride from Angel or Highbury Corner,”

stated the Hot Dinners report, aiding those planning a visit from across North London.​

The entrance is unassuming—a modern glass wine shop that serves as the visible “tip of the Stable Wines iceberg.” A narrow staircase at the back descends to the main bar, which is four or five times larger than the ground-level space, including a preserved old vault from the building’s banking days. Even on a second visit, Hot Dinners reviewers were “still blown away by how gorgeous it all looks,” capturing the venue’s enduring visual impact.​

Can Visitors from Across Town Book a Table?

For those travelling from further afield, Stable Wines operates primarily on a walk-in basis, with limited booking options to maintain its buzzy, spontaneous vibe. Groups of six or more seeking one of the private arches can reserve online, but solo diners, couples, or smaller parties must arrive and wait if needed.​

Hot Dinners advised that the upstairs wine shop offers ample space around a beautiful tasting table for lingering over a glass while awaiting a table.

“Most of the space is walk-ins, so if you pick your time well, you should be fine,”

the review noted, suggesting off-peak visits for the best chance of immediate seating.​

This policy aligns with the bar’s ethos as an accessible, atmospheric spot rather than an exclusive reservation-only venue, encouraging drop-ins from Islington’s bustling community.

What Seating Options Are Available at Stable Wines?

The underground bar features three distinct areas, each designed to enhance the wine-tasting experience. The main room boasts a large communal table, where Hot Dinners reviewers secured a corner spot complete with two ice buckets holding wines available by the glass and an abundance of candles creating a flattering glow.​

To the left lies a dedicated round wine room with a circular table, ideal for intimate groups. Further along, a longish corridor houses three bookable private arches—perfect for larger parties—and a casual perching space suited to quick drinks or solo sipping.​

How Does the Communal Table Enhance the Experience?

As described by Hot Dinners, the communal table in the main room fosters a shared, lively atmosphere.

“We took a corner of the communal table with two ice buckets of wines available by the glass at one end and a lot of candles making everyone look lovely,”

they recounted, emphasising the thoughtful touches like chilled wine options and ambient lighting.​

This setup not only maximises space in the expansive cellar but also encourages interaction among patrons, a hallmark of successful London wine bars.

Why Choose the Private Arches?

For privacy, the three arches in the corridor stand out as bookable highlights. Hot Dinners confirmed that groups of six or more can secure these online, making them suitable for celebrations or business gatherings in Canonbury’s competitive hospitality landscape.​

The perching area nearby offers flexibility for those not requiring a full table, allowing quick visits without commitment.

Why Is Stable Wines Described as Atmospheric?

The venue’s design is its standout feature, transforming a former bank into a wine haven. The Hot Dinners team, upon descending the narrow staircase, discovered a space “easily four or five times the size of what’s above ground,” including the old vault that adds historical charm.​

“No early visuals to speak of” prepared them inadequately for the beauty, they admitted, proclaiming it London’s finest. Candles, ice buckets, and varied seating contribute to an inviting, sophisticated yet relaxed mood.​

Even amid pre-Christmas frenzy, the allure persisted, with reviewers returning specifically to sample the food and drink menu, which promises further superlatives.

How Does Stable Wines Fit into Islington’s Scene?

Essex Road’s top end, bridging The Brave and Godet, positions Stable Wines amid established gastropubs and wine spots. Alex Young and George de Vos, leveraging their Goodbye Horses and The Dreamery pedigree, elevate the area’s offerings.​

Its walk-in ethos and bookable arches cater to diverse crowds, from locals to cross-town explorers. Public transport accessibility reinforces its role as a destination venue.

Hot Dinners’ endorsement as “an atmospheric place to explore new wine” signals strong potential for longevity in Islington’s dynamic market.​

What Makes Stable Wines Ideal for Wine Exploration?

The upstairs shop stocks bottles for purchase, while the downstairs bar focuses on by-the-glass options, including chilled selections in ice buckets. The tasting table upstairs doubles as a pre-bar lounge, enhancing discovery.​

Reviewers anticipate the food and drink will match the aesthetics, building on the owners’ track record. This multi-level setup uniquely blends retail, tasting, and dining.