Vagabond reveals first site revamp of 2025

The revamp forms part of Vagabond’s broader growth strategy.

London and Birmingham wine bar brand Vagabond has unveiled plans for an extensive refurbishment of its Battersea Power Station bar.

The revamp forms part of Vagabond’s broader growth strategy to open new wine bars and invest in its existing estate, following a strong Christmas performance at the end of 2024.

Vagabond Battersea will retain its open kitchen, serving up small and sharing plates, as well as its signature wine machines, offering a choice of more than 100 wines for guests to self-pour.

The renovations will include the removal of Vagabond’s Urban Winery, which will be relocated to a new site in London later this year. The move allows Vagabond to increase covers in its Battersea venue from 112 to 156. It will reopen on Friday 28 February.

"We’re taking strong trading momentum and exciting growth plans into 2025, starting with the refurbishment of Vagabond Battersea," says Christobell Giles, managing director at Vagabond. "This is a significant investment in one of our most popular bars, underlining the confidence that we and our owners Majestic have in the future of experiential hospitality venues."

Mistletoe and wine

Vagabond registered a 16.3% jump in like-for-like sales during the six weeks to 23 December, with all nine of its locations across London and Birmingham reporting strong growth in sales and visitor numbers. 

Food sales also grew, rising 26.2%, buoyed by the addition of Vagabond’s new cheese fondue sharing platter to its winter menu. Vagabond served up more than 1,000 fondues every week throughout December alone.  

"I am incredibly proud of the entire Vagabond team for delivering a record-breaking Christmas," adds Giles. "We took more Christmas party bookings than ever before in a challenging hospitality market, and introduced hundreds of new guests to our eclectic mix of wines and expert teams for the first time."   

The investment in its Battersea Power Station site forms a key part of Vagabond’s growth plans under new owner Majestic. The UK’s largest specialist wine retailer acquired Vagabond in April 2024, securing the futures of nine wine bars and 171 jobs. Majestic says it plan to invest in Vagabond’s long-term future, including opening new wine bars, growing the brand’s customer base and furthering the wine education of its teams.


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