8.4
Great

Caitlin Isola

Bars

Hattie Lloyd 01/05/24


Forza Wine at the National Theatre

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.

forza wine roof terrace at 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.

forza wine national theatre

Caitlin Isola

The space they’ve 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). And for their first summer in residence here, Forza have just opened Forza Taps: a pop-up terrace bar one level below, that has space for 60 punters and a bar serving negronis and wine on tap (open until 29th September).

The Forza Taps snacks

Forza Wine 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.

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 daily, 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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Forza Wine at the National Theatre


National Theatre, Upper Ground, Southbank, SE1 9PX

8.4 | Great