UK. London Gatwick Airport will open two new food & beverage concepts this spring. These are award-winning urban winery Vagabond and premium sparkling wine bar South Downs, both located at the South Terminal.
At its second airport outlet and largest single site, Vagabond will offer more than 80 wines from across the globe via a bespoke self-serve dispensing machine, which the brand describes as “a fun and easy way for passengers to discover new wines and sample before committing to a glass or bottle.” Its signature self-pour craft beer wall will be another attraction.
The restaurant’s wine collection will represent local vineyards, including Digby in Arundel, Tillingham in Rye, and Kingscote – based less than ten miles from London Gatwick in East Grinstead to give passengers a taste of the best wines Sussex and Kent have to offer. It also includes more selections from France, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and beyond.
Besides an extensive wine list and craft beer, Vagabond will feature a wide variety of food options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and kids in a family-friendly environment.
A new F&B outlet exclusive to Gatwick, Vagabond’s sister bar, South Downs Sparkling Wine, is set to open a few weeks later.
Celebrating English sparkling wine, it will feature a vast array of the best local wines, beers and produce from across the region, alongside global options. It will also offer a cocktail menu developed by Max Benning, owner of one of the world’s top 50 bars, Three Sheets.
A range of meals and snacks will also be available. The menu, while inspired by great wine-producing regions across the world, will feature many locally-sourced ingredients.
Gatwick Airport Director of Retail Rachel Bulford said: “We are delighted to welcome both Vagabond and South Downs bar to our South Terminal this spring.
“Leading London-based operator, Vagabond, will provide a wonderful selection of wines and beers from fantastic vineyards and breweries located across our region and the eye-catching design of the sparkling wine bar – South Downs – brings the outside in and reflects the greenery of the countryside surrounding Gatwick.
“We love being less than 30 minutes from the centre of London, but we are also proud of being in the heart of the community here in leafy Sussex.”
Vagabond Managing Director Matt Fleming commented: “We are really excited to open our newest airport site at Gatwick Airport. Our Vagabond Bar & Kitchen site in South Terminal will become our largest site within the Vagabond estate and will be offering an extensive all-day food menu and continuing to drive innovation with the drinks we serve including cocktails, self-pour beer walls and making great wine available for all to try.
“On top of this, we are also going to be launching England’s first English sparkling wine bar – South Downs. Named after the South Downs area in Sussex and Kent, which hosts so many of England’s best vineyards and wineries, the bar will focus on championing not just English wines but also beers, ciders and spirits in Southeast England. The food menu will be elevated and designed to pair particularly well with English wines.” 
