Pommery Champagne bar to open in London

The capital is set to get a new Champagne bar boasting London’s largest collection of Pommery. Named after French writer and philosopher Voltaire, who spent three years in exile in London on the order of King Louis XV after insulting a French nobleman, the bar is housed in a grade II listed building in Blackfriars that once served as a bank.

Developed by interior designer Sue Wheldon, who has previously worked with Champneys and the Kempinski hotel group, the bank’s old stone vaults have been converted into a bar dubbed, The Vaults at Voltaire featuring private alcoves decorated in silks and animal prints, each boasting a private waiter.

Opening on Valentine’s Day, Voltaire also has an outdoor cigar terrace leading off from the Champagne bar, featuring silken awnings and outdoor chandeliers. The bar’s Pommery selection ranges from half bottles to a nine-litre Salmanazar and top blend Cuvée Louise, named after Alexandrine Louise Pommery, who took over the Champagne house in 1858 after the death of her husband.

Voltaire will also sell the Pommery POP range, including the famous Union Jack bottle and a bespoke limited edition Voltaire design sold exclusively at the bar. Wine and the City has been promised a sneak preview of the bottle as soon as an image is available. The entire collection will be displayed in a “Pommery Library”, which will form the focal point of the bar.

Voltaire will also offer a Pommery-based cocktail list, which will include The Volt-X – a sharing cocktail for ten. The bar has also partnered with skincare range Temple Spa to launch a quintet of cocktails made with herbs and fruits found in the Temple Spa range, including the “comforting” Repose and the “vivifying” All Talk.