As elegant as an art deco treasure box with about as much shine, Astons Champagne and Wine Bar is a destination bar with a lovely dockside view. It may not sound like the most credit crunch friendly of places but the prices are sure to surprise.

The Venue
Astons Champagne and Wine Bar isn't the easiest bar to find and there isn’t much in the way of passing trade. Located on Marsh Wall overlooking the South Dock, its closest tube stop is South Quay DLR. The exterior exudes the image of an undistinguished concrete building, although this is redeemed by an immense outdoor terrace that begs for a sunny day.

Inside is where the real magic happens. Transformed into a 1930s vision of an elegant cocktail bar, the interior is decked out in shades of cool cream, sexy black and sleek chrome. A small grand piano teases musical entertainment. Broad windows take full advantage of stunning water views and the glittering lights of Canary Wharf and the O2 Arena dance across the water after dark. Sink into a buttery cream leather banquette and take in the black bejeweled chandeliers, lit up like a showgirl's plumed fan.

The Atmosphere
Personable bar staff are clearly proud of Astons Champagne and Wine Bar and flirt up a storm with the attractive corporate crowd of predominately twenty-to-thirtysomethings who make the most of the bar for after work drinks. On weekends it attracts a local crowd looking for a bit of glitz.

The Food
A brasserie style menu offers something for everyone. Brunch is served until 1pm and includes more of a breakfast menu with dishes like a Full English (£6.95) and, refreshingly, cheap basic options like a bacon butty (£2.95) and beans on toast (£2.95).

Lunch here can be reasonable with sandwiches starting at £5.75 for a chicken and bacon sandwich with sour cream. They also do a Credit Crunch Lunch offer for just £4.95 for a choice of two sandwiches, a jacket potato or soup with a soft drink (you can upgrade to a half pint for just £1 more), representing real value.

If you’re visiting in the evening they also offer a choice of main meals that include an 8oz rib eye for under a tenner, a baked salmon fillet for just £8.95 or sausage and mash for £7.75. They also offer a great choice of sharers and platters starting from just £6.95. Great value.

The Drink
Of course, Champagne is the star of the show at Astons Champagne and Wine Bar. That said, as with other aspects of their menus, there are some more wallet-friendly options that prove very competitive. Bottles start at £35 for Grand Brut or just £7.50 a glass. This rises to a still reasonable £65 for a bottle of Bollinger Special Cuvee. Of course, prestige and vintage bottles are there for those who can afford them, rising to £190 for a bottle of Cristal.

There’s also a great choice of red and white wine starting at just £14.95 for a bottle of Merlot Bodegas Lauquita. The wine is well described on the menu, thus making your choice easier. If you prefer your alcohol a little less refined then they have a nice choice of draught beers including Peroni, Becks, Guinness, John Smiths Extra Smooth and Hoegaarden, starting at just £2.95 a pint. Finally, there is a pretty large selection of classic cocktails at a not unreasonable £8. Their signature cocktail is the Absolute Astons with Absolut vodka, cointreau, blue curacao and fresh lemon juice topped with Champagne for £8.50.

The Last Word
With a name like Astons Champagne and Wine Bar and a location in the heart of the Docklands it’s an easy assumption to make that this is going to be an expensive playground for corporate business types. Happily, they appear to have taken into account the reduced expense accounts of the natives and the wide-reaching consequences of the crunch with its reasonable prices. A pleasant surprise.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (1) image gallery (6)