Old stables transformed into vibrant outdoor seating resembling Italian neighborhood wine bars, offering a curated wine experience.

Bar Blondie Revives Old Stables into Mid-Century Gem with Curated Wine Experience

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Written by Flynn Matthews

2026-09-19

In the heart of northwest London’s Queen’s Park, Bar Blondie offers an innovative blend of wine and design crafted by Macaulay Sinclair. This unique experience is nestled in a mews that once housed early 20th-century stables, reimagining the space as a mid-century modern living room, complete with nods to spaghetti westerns. The transformation is led by sommelier Alexandra Price and Silver Tree Restaurants founder Elliot Milne, who craft a seamless narrative between the cellar and the decor.

A sophisticated journey: From equestrian to epicurean

At 19–21 Lonsdale Road, the former site of Milk Beach, the old stables have evolved. Tables spill into the street, echoing the charm of neighborhood wine bars in Italy and southern France. The project, imagined by Macaulay Sinclair, combines bespoke joinery and found pieces to evoke the charm of a creative’s living room, making this a home built by careful accumulation.

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Poster of Sergio Leone in katakana, influencing the Director section of the wine list.
Sergio Leone, named in katakana at the top of the poster, is also the first muse of the wine list, where The Director section is built around him

Artistic and culinary ode to mid-century icons

Designer Macaulay Sinclair frames the space as a cohesive tapestry of mid-century aesthetics. Art and acoustics contribute to an inviting atmosphere. The collection, in partnership with Ryan Stanier of The Art Office, hangs with the intention of a curated home gallery, effortlessly blending with the retro warmth of the decor.

DJ decks housed among books and records behind the bar for cultural events.
The decks behind the bar serve the DJ nights on the venue’s cultural program, kept among books and records the way they would be in a living room

A wine journey with a narrative

The wine list features 200 bins categorized into four muses: Sergio Leone, Ray Eames, Joan Didion, and emerging talent. Price’s art background and accolades as a top sommelier influence her approach, infusing creativity and intentionality over convention. Expect expressive, eccentric choices, all deeply rooted in classic and innovative wine-making for a truly distinctive experience.

Chess set integrated into the table for themed chess nights at the venue.
Chess nights on the cultural program play out on the furniture itself, with the game fixed into the table rather than brought to it

Culinary fusion and community spirit

Head chef Alastair Walling and executive chef Alexander Busca bring flavors from southern France and Italy. The menu features delights like agnolotti del plin with slow-cooked lamb and a Provençal-inspired monkfish tail. Bar Blondie goes beyond dining by offering events like poetry readings, live music, and wine tastings to foster a creative community through their offerings.

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Shelves showcasing part of a 200-bin wine list inspired by imagined personal cellars.
What stands on these shelves is only part of a 200-bin list divided into four sections, each built on the imagined personal cellar of a different muse

A unique collaborative culture

Bar Blondie aims to merge East and West London vibes, sitting in a neighborhood rich with restaurants, breweries, and co-working spaces. Elliot Milne envisions this bar as a bridge, uniting the energy of East London’s scene with the sophistication found on the west side.

Intimate seating arrangement with low seats and soft lighting, resembling a living room.
Here the scale drops from dining to conversation, with low seats and soft pools of light closer to a sitting room than to a restaurant floor

The result is a venue where conversation and creativity are as vital as the drink. This cultural hub at Bar Blondie is not just a venue but a space that pays tribute to legends and leaves room for emerging talents to shine.

New Beginnings artwork of a horse adorns the wall of a repurposed stable building.
A horse titled New Beginnings hangs in a building first built to stable horses
Timber shelf and door function as a drinking counter between the mews and interior.
The door doubles as a drinking counter, and a single timber shelf turns the threshold between mews and room into a place to stand with a glass

Source: urdesignmag.com

Frequently asked questions

What is Bar Blondie in London?

Bar Blondie is a wine bar in northwest London’s Queen’s Park, designed by Macaulay Sinclair. It features a blend of mid-century modern design and offers a curated wine experience led by sommelier Alexandra Price.

What type of decor influences does Bar Blondie have?

Bar Blondie has mid-century modern decor with nods to spaghetti westerns. It is designed to resemble a creative’s living room, incorporating bespoke joinery and found pieces.

What kind of events does Bar Blondie offer?

Bar Blondie offers events such as poetry readings, live music, and wine tastings to foster a creative community.