(Munchies.Vice) - Occupying a former cash-and-carry in Clapton, East London, P. Franco isn’t your typical wine bar. There’s no set wine menu and no sommelier. Instead, you drink what’s on the shelves and the man in charge is Phil Bracey. 

“‘Sommelier’ is not something I call myself. I mop the floor, I clean the bathrooms, I order the wines … ” he reasons. It’s this casual approach that gives P. Franco its charm.

The wines are all minimal intervention varieties and sourced from small producers because, as Bracey puts it, “I very selfishly have every wine on here that I would drink.”

Clearly, giving Bracey carte blanche over the wines at P. Franco has paid off. The bar is a favourite of those in the industry, as well as fans of natural wine.

Inspired by Parisian caves à manger, bars where you can buy wine to take away or drink in at a flat rate, P. Franco initially offered only cheese and charcuterie for those wishing to stay awhile. Now, however, the food menu has expanded, with a chef cooking from simple dual hobs. It makes the space feel like a friend’s kitchen.