Corney and Barrow’s small empire reaches Aldgate’s Jewry Street, where a great atmosphere, up-for-it crowd and an impressive array of food, drink and events means it’s a wine bar that could just as easily end the night as start it.

The Venue
Situated a stone’s throw from Aldgate tube station, this enigmatic corner of Corney and Barrow’s enterprising wine bar chain is positioned firmly amongst the suits, boots and bankers of The City.

Surprisingly the venue draws from a wider palette, bringing in sports fans, fashionistas and creatives from across the London spectrum. This could be down to one of several reasons: the bar’s impressive subterranean setting, lodged deep into the limestone featuring cavernous exposed-brick vaults and soothing uplighting; the great atmosphere during sporting events - there’s nowhere near here as vibrant or testosterone-packed for the big match; or the tapas-style bar-bites menu and fine range of drinks means one can really get adventurous with their tastebuds.

The Atmosphere
Corney and Barrow Jewry Street attracts a huge pool of custom, and the late-opening Fridays (1am - nothing too ravey) get the fully drunk and debauched City treatment, in the nicest way possible. With DJs playing chart-friendly hits, the place is pumping as the beautiful people let their hair down. Weekdays cater for all tastes, too, running quizzes, taster sessions and private hire rooms for high-rising corporates to impress their bosses.

The bar’s catacombish appearance makes for an excellent ambience – even on quieter evenings – and combined with the soft lighting it’s more than conducive to some early-night romance. Table service may be slightly slow at times, but when your food arrives it always comes with a smile. Bar staff are less friendly, but there’s little time for chit-chat when the bar looks more like the London Stock Exchange on Black Monday. On the dancefloor there may be the odd six-figure wager letting his pinstripes do the down-talking, but generally the clientele are fun and approachable.

Sporting events can get a tad rowdy, but no more so than your average local, and you’re very unlikely to see any real unpleasantness, even with the City’s renowned love for egotism and arrogance. There may be a fair sprinkling of gold-diggers (on both sides of the sexual spectrum) but largely everyone’s just out to have a good time; and it’s almost impossible not to get involved - especially if you’ve sunk a few shooters.

The Food
Food comes in three highly original guises: breakfast, lunch and dinner – all three of which are well-rated. Choices for breakfast are minimal yet filling for that huge 9am meeting. English is the buzz word with sausages, eggs and bacon shunning neighbouring continental counterparts to the wayside (full English £8.75, eggs benedict £6.75 - not exactly bargain basement).

Lunch is where The City’s extravagance is presented to the extreme, featuring an all star cast including braised pheasant (£13.95), smoked duck breast (£6.95) and smoked salmon (£10.50). If you’d rather keep you stock options open til teatime you should really be grabbing a light bite; there’s very little modesty reserved for this menu.

Dinner brings with it another selection, favouring a tapas style of eating rather than midday’s monstrous platters. For about a fiver a time you can try mini crayfish, Thai chicken skewers, tempura or nachos. You can still get a steak sarnie or burger for a tenner, the latter of which is succulent and flavoursome.

The Drink
It’s very difficult to review every drink Corney and Barrow offers without sustaining liver disease in the process. Unsurprisingly the wine list is staggering and all tastes are catered for, providing you own your own island. Champagne bottles begin at a very reasonable £39.95, rising all the way up to a £195 Salon 1997. Reds, whites and roses command equally huge menu space and cater for all wallet sizes.

If you like beer then this place is going to put a real smile on your face. Pricey a pint may be, hovering as most do between £3.50-£4, but you’re rarely going to drink Innis and Gunn, Pilsner Urquell or Modelo Especiale anywhere this side of City Wall.

The Last Word
Corney and Barrow does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s reserved and efficient by day, and lively and entertaining by night with a range of drinks to excite even the most foolhardy Fosters aficionado. Even if you think bankers should be on minimum wage you’ll find it hard to hate everyone here.

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