Drinking our way around the best bars in London is something we’ve become rather good at – from Farringdon to Covent Garden, Shoreditch to Soho and London Bridge, we’ve written so many neighbourhood bar guides that it made sense to do the big one: the best bars in London. When building out the brand plan for amie, I knew that I wanted the brand to be a few things: beautiful, aspirational, elevated, and something for everyone - we wanted everyone to feel like they could drink amie. The name 'amie' is 'female friend' in French - we're 'a wine for friends' and want to feel like a community of friends. Elevated photography and visuals have been a huge part of our brand, and connecting with our customers has been a real way for us to create more of a lifestyle vs purely just a wine brand. Influencer Marketing and Brand Partnerships have been a huge part of building amie, and from the beginning, we have focused on partnering with fashion and lifestyle people and brands, instead of purely the wine world. We had an opportunity to open a wine bar, amie wine studio , in June 2022, and this has been a huge step for us in terms of creating a lifestyle brand; we're able to collaborate with other brands in the space, host community events for our customers, and connect with people in a way that we never would have been able to if it weren't for amie wine studio. What has been your biggest learning to date as a founder?

Another brilliant Islington outdoor bar, The Castle’s rooftop terrace makes quite the spot for a chilled-out drink or three with friends. Amie Wine Studio will also serve as a gallery, showcasing exciting emerging artists. You will be able to buy some of the amazing pieces of art as well. Interior-wise, it’s a real wild card. One room is a tranquil Kyoto-inspired space, while another sees a huge stained glass mural of Bowie adorning the walls. It’s weird and we love it. It gets better – they’ve covered the terrace for the winter months. Meaning you can still grab a drink with your mates… without freezing your tits off. Now, Amie is launching a second physical space in the South Korean capital of Seoul, its biggest export market. Sandbach believes that Korean consumers are more open to up-and-coming wine brands than more mature and established wine markets, making it the perfect place for expansion.

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If you want to flex your knowledge of London’s fabulous bar scene, then you’d best get yourself a table at sought-after Happiness Forgets,one of London’s hottest bars. We had the pleasure of getting to know amie’s co-founder, Abbie Roden , and getting to the heart of how she carved amie into the success it is today. Tell us about amie and how the business came to be. The extensive terrace is the perfect place for quaffing sundowners in the twilight hours – and there are plenty of tables, so booking generally isn’t too much of a pain in the ass. Looking for the best bars in London? Don’t miss this guide – London’s best drinking spots, area by area. Amie is hosting its opening party this week in Seoul, and will trial a new rosé cremant in the South Korean market before launching it in the UK.

amie wine studio Seoul is a space where modern influences from London meet traditional Korean culture. The space is located in a traditional Korean Hanok. amie wine studio Seoul has been designed by SAVI STUDIO with inspiration from amie wine studio in London. The furniture in the space has been sourced from various antique markets across the UK, carefully curated to tastefully blend in with the traditional Korean style. You’re also here for the terrace seating that makes an ideal location for a bit of al fresco drinking, especially when sipping on a nice european wine. The older sister of Vinegar Yard is just a short hop, skip and stroll away in Southwark but also sports a sizable beer garden/terrace for those days when hanging in the park with a tinnie just isn’t the vibe you’re going for.There are so many things that I love about owning my own business, but I think my favourite thing is being able to take creative ideas and run with them, without having to ask anyone else for permission or their opinion. I truly get a high off of new launches and exciting announcements. How do you deal with the challenges of owning a business? Oozing charm and a relaxed atmosphere – Authentique has not only guaranteed its position as a favourite with Tufnell Park locals, but it’s also gathered quite the city-wide following too. That’s in no small part down to the excellent wine – sourced from French-speaking parts of the world – and tasty deli bites. The latest addition to the family, Amie Wine Studio, blends the beauty of wine and art. A space for you and your friends to come together and enjoy a glass of Amie in the vibrant Eccleston Yards.