The launch of a dedicated bottleshop, private dining room and events space expands Carmen Street Wine’s offering, introducing an extended retail selection, a refreshed menu of seasonal plates, and a new venue for gatherings.
This month, Giles Coram and the team behind Bristol favourites Caper & Cure and Carmen Street Wine are set to open a new bottleshop next door to the original bar on 29th November, marking an exciting new stage for Stokes Croft. The expansion adds a further 30 seats and allows Carmen Street Wine Bar & Bottleshop to offer guests the option to enjoy wines on site, purchase bottles to take home, or order online. Alongside the expanded wine selection, visitors can enjoy a menu of produce-focused snacks, seasonal small plates, charcuterie and cheese, all shaped by head chef Matty Grove.
The new interior continues the clean, minimalist aesthetic that defines Carmen Street Wine. A striking charcoal oak table, crafted by Ennis & Brown, will act as the centrepiece of the space, seating up to 20 people for private dinners, wine tastings and special events.
Guests will be able to take a place at the main communal table or settle at one of four smaller bistro-style tables, creating a warm and sociable setting designed to encourage shared experiences. This layout builds on the spirit of Carmen Street Wine’s popular community gatherings, which regularly fill the original space to capacity and often spill outdoors. Visitors can expect the same personable service delivered by Scott Williams and the close-knit team known for their enthusiasm for wine and fostering a welcoming atmosphere.
Wine guidance will be led by sommelier Holly Purnell-Swan, whose expertise spans both established and up-and-coming producers. The expanded wine list focuses on low-intervention European bottles and highlights regions with personal significance to the team. Standout selections include One Another, Bacchus by Georges Loat, produced by a celebrated micro-winery in Gloucestershire, as well as their own directly imported wines from Alto de Pioz near Madrid, made from the native Malvar grape, known for its light and elegant character.
The wine offering is complemented by a concise menu created by Head Chef Matty Grove and his accomplished kitchen team. Guests can expect dishes such as moules marinière, pâté en croûte and freshly baked madeleines, alongside a curated assortment of cheese from local specialists L’Affinage and charcuterie with homemade pickles and chutney.
Illustrator Shelbie Coleman, recognised for designing the brand’s distinctive posters, will be producing new artwork for a limited-edition run of t-shirts. These will be screen printed by The Bay Print Co. and available for purchase at the bottleshop.
Founder Giles Coram says, “We’re delighted to announce the expansion of Carmen Street Wine Bar & Bottleshop! We want to ensure guests continue to feel warmly welcomed while discovering the wines we carefully seek out. As part of this expansion, we’re now importing directly from wineries, which has been a long-term goal of mine. Currently importing from Alto de Pioz near Madrid and Les Gragnotes near Perpignan, in the new year, we’re excited to broaden our portfolio even further, with our sights set on Northern Italy for our next direct import partnership.”