Epernay bar review

For those who like a bit of the bubbly stuff, Epernay is bound to be on the radar. With more than 100 champagnes sourced from a range of large and small houses throughout the famous French region and a well chosen wine list of around 30 different bottles, the hardest part is choosing which one to drink next.

‘If I got champagne points like air-miles, I'd be quids in. I moved away from some of the more established houses and have now tasted tipples from around the region. May I pay a great deal of respect to the Billecart Salmon range, honey notes and a top taste at a reasonable price.’

I discovered this place by mistake, if I’m honest. A grey afternoon spiralled into an even murkier evening while out shopping. I looked for the nearest entrance to avoid ruining my freshly-acquired shoes. My eyes were averted towards the Carriage Works and huddled in a stoop, myself and the girls descended into a building also, happily, housed also by Epernay.

For those that know anything about me and my friends, a glass of fizz is never turned down and we’d luckily found ourselves in our element.

Since that fateful evening, I’ve been a bit of a frequent flyer. If I got champagne points like air-miles, I'd be quids in. I moved away from some of the more established houses and have now tasted tipples from around the region. May I pay a great deal of respect to the Billecart Salmon range, honey notes and a top taste at a reasonable price.

It’s also pretty impressive on the spirits front, with more than 70 cocktails using ingredients not always seen elsewhere in the city. This bar goes that extra mile. As for beers (sometimes you need to keep Mr Melissa happy), you have your world lagers and usual bottles of the discerning hop-taster, including a champagne-based beer.

The ambience is swanky but chilled out, with candles setting the mood and table service on offer. The other bonus is that because Epernay buys in bulk, you won’t be paying ridiculous prices for a bottle. Or if a bottle is pushing it, you can buy fizz by the glass, which was a winner for me. Indeed, you can get a bottle of the fine stuff for around £30 – a healthy challenge to super-market pricing.

The place only offers basic food but Epernay is more about serious superior drinking action. Plus there are an abundance of eateries in the area anyway, if nothing leaps put at you here.

They also offer private tasting sessions but that doesn’t come cheap. However, when we’re talking high-class indulgence, it’s a great place to while away those lazy hours or get into the party spirit. It’s also the perfect place to impress that special person. For application forms please apply to me - and make it a bottle.

Venues are rated against the best examples of their kind: fine dining against the best fine dining, cafes against the best cafes. Following on from this the scores represent: 1-5 saw your leg off and eat it, 6-9 get a DVD, 10-11 if you must, 12-13 if you’re passing,14-15 worth a trip,16-17 very good, 17-18 exceptional, 19 pure quality, 20 perfect. More than 20: Gordo gets carried away