Simple and elegant, the Forge Bar offers a huge choice of wine, complemented by a fine modern European menu.

The Venue
The Forge Bar is elegant and subdued. Located in the basement of the popular Forge restaurant, is a small bar that follows in the footsteps of its big sister on the ground floor and keeps things dimly lit, streamlined and elegant. The furnishings, like the decor, are simple with wooden floors, wall sofas in sea green and a few wooden tables. Around the brushed metal bar, a few tall stools in the same material provide more seating. The room is painted taupe and it matches the soft low lighting.

The Atmosphere
Elegant office workers from nearby offices and well-to-do locals are the typical clients of the Forge Bar. The restaurant attracts all ages, and the bar tends to be a favourite for those in their 30s and 40s waiting to be seated upstairs. As such, the bar has a practical function and tends to be busy around dinner time.

The Food
The bar menu borrows dishes from the restaurant, continuing in its modern European footsteps. You can order small dishes (£4.50-£7.50) like bresaola with crispy artichokes and rocket, chorizo on toasted tomato bread, anchovy with piquillo peppers and aioli on toast, and tempura. Alternatively, you can order from the restaurant menu if it's too busy upstairs.

The Drink
The restaurant at The Forge boasts a wine list with almost 500 wines. The bar makes choosing one marginally easier since they serve about 100. You have many bottles available by the glass (£4-£12 for 175ml) and prices for a bottle range widely between £15.50 and £48. Given the selection, prices are surprisingly acceptable as most bottles fall into the £15-£30 range.

Elsewhere, bottles soar well above £60 in a list with 30 wines. The bottles are grouped by country with France stealing the show. Italy comes second, followed by Spain and the New World. There are no descriptions to guide you but you can read the vintage of every bottle. If you fancy some bubbles, you can pick from five regular bottles (£39-£80) and two roses (£75-£80).

The Last Word
A lengthy, impressive wine list and sophisticated ambience make the Forge Bar worth a visit, especially before or after you've visited the excellent restaurant upstairs.

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