Forza Wine opens its biggest venue yet this week in Soho

Forza Wine, the group of Italian-inspired wine bars and restaurants founded by childhood friends Bash Redford and Michael Lavery, opened its first central London location in Soho today. The new venue, on the corner of Manette Street, will be the largest in the Forza Wine portfolio, offering space for 100 guests inside and an additional 70 on a heated terrace. The move aims to bring the brand’s informal approach to Italian food and drink to the heart of one of London’s busiest neighbourhoods.

The Soho site is Forza’s third opening, following its original rooftop bar in Peckham and its outpost at the National Theatre on the South Bank. The new restaurant will continue the group’s focus on a concise, seasonal menu of Italian-inspired sharing plates, an accessible natural wine list and a selection of classic and original cocktails.

The food offering will feature a 12-dish menu designed for flexible dining. New additions include warm Parmesan-laden Brioche and Pane Carasau with Gorgonzola and Pickled Celery, while larger plates will range from Cod with Winter Tomatoes, Vinegar and Hazelnuts to Pork Tenderloin with Cabbage and Mustard and Ox Cheek Genovese Ragu. Several of the group’s signature dishes, such as their Cauliflower Fritti with Aioli and their Custardo (a crème anglaise dessert spiked with espresso), will remain on the menu. Desserts include Pistachio Olive Oil Cake and Vanilla Saffron Soft Serve with Marsala Sponge.

The drinks list will open with a £5 welcome vermouth, known as the Forza Fiver. Then there are both classic cocktails and original creations such as a Chilli Mezcal Martini. Natural wines will be available by the glass from £6, intended to complement the menu or to be enjoyed on the terrace.

Designed in collaboration with London architects Gundry and Ducker, the restaurant features floor-to-ceiling windows, deep green and stainless steel accents, and an inherited mirrored ceiling. Downstairs, a subterranean bar is planned to open for private events later in the year.

Co-founder Bash Redford said: “We never considered Soho would have a space to fit our ‘powerful buildings with outside space’ brief, but when we were offered a fully fitted space with a terrace, we had to have a look. We immediately fell in love and jumped at the challenge of bringing it to life whilst retaining and recycling as much of the existing fit-out as possible. It’s still got that Soho energy, just now with a Forza touch.”

Chef and co-founder Michael Lavery added: “It’s quite unbelievable, but it’s here, it’s massive and it looks class. We want to be a meaningful, long-term part of the community. This is a restaurant for Soho and everyone who visits Soho, if we can win over the locals, then I’m sure the rest will follow.”

Food Desk

Forza Wine Soho opens on 2^nd March 2026 at Manette Street, London W1D 4AL. For further information or to book a table, visit their website here.