Vagabond Wines will launch its flagship wine bar this August in London’s St Paul’s, taking over the former site of Channel 4’s First Dates restaurant.
Taking over the former Paternoster Chophouse—a D&D restaurant that closed and relocated in late 2020—the new Vagabond Wines bar will offer over 110 wines by the glass and provide seating for more than 250 guests.
Vagabond has signed a 15-year lease on the site, marking its first new bar launch since being acquired by Majestic in April 2024 following an administration buyout.
Additional openings are planned in London later this year, including a new bar within the Broadgate Campus development at Liverpool Street, set to launch in September.
Vagabond, currently operating sites in London and Birmingham, aims to double its estate within the next three years, targeting prime locations in major UK cities with units ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 sq ft and strong footfall.
Christobell Giles, managing director at Vagabond, said: “At Vagabond, we have always believed wine is about so much more than what is in the glass. It is about connection. Whether that is between you and our winemakers, you and our team, or you and the person across the table, wine has a unique ability to bring people together and spark conversation. After a brilliant first year with Majestic, this is a really exciting step forward for us at Vagabond.”
John Colley, chief executive of Majestic Group and executive chair of Vagabond, added: “Vagabond is a brand with real energy and a unique proposition. Since joining the Majestic family last year, it has shown strong potential to attract new and younger customers who want to engage with wine in a more informal, experiential way. We’re committed to investing in new bar openings to help us reach new customers and provide multiple entry points into our wider business, from retail to subscription and beyond.”
Vagabond opened its first bar in London’s Fulham in 2010. At its peak, the group operated 11 bars, nine of which were sold to Majestic in a £6.5 million deal in 2024. The remaining two bars at Gatwick Airport were sold last June to privately-owned Airport Retail Enterprises (UK) Ltd for £400,000.
Founded in 1980, wine specialist Majestic was acquired by Fortress Investment Group in 2019. Since then, it has expanded into a network of 213 stores across the UK and Jersey. In April 2025, Majestic further strengthened its hospitality presence by acquiring rival supplier Enotria&Coe.