"Fire hazard status: too cool to burn, would simply smoulder Sager + Wilde is a little Hackney vino fortress and the level of dimly lit here is akin to a period show where there’s just enough candlelight to see Damian Lewis’ eyes twinkle excitedly at the mention of a Boleyn sister. Outside of the odd soft globe light, it’s all trendy ceramic candle holders and cream tapers flickering along the bar. There’s a huge wine list but we’ve got a soft spot for their blackboard menu of by-the-glass options—think light, zippy Beaujolais Nouveaus and Côte-Rôtie sip-and-nurse numbers." - heidi lauth beasley, sinead cranna