Forza Wine at the National Theatre | Peckham’s Rooftop Bar Gets An Encore
Forza Wine is a bar that everyone looks up to.
And sure, that’s partly because it’s on a rooftop.
But it’s also because the team behind it have hit on a recipe that just works – skyline views, Italian sharing plates, and classic cocktails (served, occasionally, in frozen form). So it’s unsurprising that after gaining a cult following in their local Peckham, they’ve just unveiled a sophomore. What is surprising is where you’ll find it – because the space they’ve taken over is none other than the National Theatre.
Caitlin Isola
The Southbank‘s traditionally been chain restaurant territory – and sometimes that’s all you want for a pre-theatre meal, but considering its central location, it’s been strangely lacking in quality independent bars & eateries. The National’s really been pulling its weight in giving the area a glow-up, first opening The Understudy for craft beers by the river; then bussing in KERB to run an al fresco street food market; and most recently bringing in the team behind The Marksman to open a suave, mid-century styled restaurant, Lasdun.
The space they’ve just handed over to Forza Wine is the north-west terrace, an al fresco balcony with room for 160 high-altitude punters (and space indoors, too, so they can open year-round). There’s even a private dining area on the terrace with a table for 24. And it feels like the perfect theatre partner – somewhere you can drop by for a quick bite before a show, a post-play negroni-fuelled debrief, or, if you’ve got no place to be, a decadent feast for four people, with the option to order everything on the menu.
Caitlin Isola
A couple of hit dishes from the original have made their West End transfer, like the cauliflower fritti with aioli; mozzarella with figs & hazelnuts; and pancetta potato cakes with pickled cabbage. Washing those down is a list of natural wines and classic house cocktails, including a Cherry Negroni, Limonata Bianca and a Frozen Peach Margarita. And naturally, you can finish with their signature soft serve.
Just to top it off.
NOTE: Forza Wine at the National Theatre is open Mon-Sat, 12pm-12am. You can find out more, and book a table, HERE.
Forza Wine at the National | National Theatre, Upper Ground, SE1 9PX
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