The End of an Era...

[Alex Bridgeman]

Back in the day when some of the group who eventually started The Port Forum first met up, we did so at Davy's Crusting Pipe in the basement of Covent Garden. That first meeting was on 6th November 2005 when we tasted our way through a matrix of 1963 / 1966 / 1970 from Fonseca / Graham / Sandeman / Taylor.

Ian Wright, the manager and fellow Port fan, was really welcoming and looked after us so well that those peculiar tunnels at the back of the Crusting Pipe became our home for a few years. Eventually Ian moved to Brazil, the new management was less welcoming and our loyalties moved on to the Bung Hole on Holborn.

Why am I reminiscing about this? Because after being open for over 40 years, the Crusting Pipe is closing on 21st December 2025. I'll post the text of the closure announcement in a post below this one.

If anyone has any photos of those peculiar tunnels we used to use, please do post them!

[Alex Bridgeman]

When Covent Garden was redeveloped in 1980 from a 300-year-old fruit and vegetable market into the destination we know today, the Davy family opened a wine bar in the lower courtyard under the name The Crusting Pipe. At that time, our heartland for wine bars was very much in the City of London, where our experience and customer base were best established.

Any reservations about moving into the West End were quickly dispelled. From the first day of trading, The Crusting Pipe proved to be a success and, over the years that followed, became one of the most important and well-known venues in the Davy’s portfolio, a position it has held for more than forty years.

As with all long-established businesses, how and where we trade must continue to evolve. In light of changing patterns of use, and after careful consideration, The Crusting Pipe will close on 21 December 2025, bringing to an end a remarkable chapter in the history of Davy’s Wine Bars. For those who wish to visit once more and mark the conclusion of this chapter, we would be delighted to welcome you at The Crusting Pipe before its final day of trading. Tables can be booked in the usual way, subject to availability. Book here.

This decision has been taken despite the venue continuing to enjoy a loyal and appreciative following. It gives me great satisfaction to read the many positive reviews we receive, consistently praising the wine, food, service and atmosphere, and confirming The Crusting Pipe as a destination of choice for many visitors to London.

Thank you to everyone who has passed through the doors of The Crusting Pipe over the past forty-five years. We look forward to welcoming you at our other venues across London.


James Davy
Fifth-Generation Chairman

[flash_uk]

If anyone has any photos of those peculiar tunnels we used to use, please do post them!

This thread has a few.

[MigSU]

Wow. In 2005 I was actually living in London, as an undergrad.

On a side note: I never understand this "It was still a big success but we decided to close" reasoning. It's a shame that a venue with almost half a century of service just closes down like that.

[jdaw1]

If anyone has any photos of those peculiar tunnels we used to use, please do post them!

This thread has a few.

Also the Cockburn vertical in October 2008.

[jdaw1]

On a side note: I never understand this "It was still a big success but we decided to close" reasoning. It's a shame that a venue with almost half a century of service just closes down like that.

I suspect doesn’t want to be too rude about the landlord — people meet again — but the rent increase is the reason.

[Alex Bridgeman]

On a side note: I never understand this "It was still a big success but we decided to close" reasoning. It's a shame that a venue with almost half a century of service just closes down like that.

I suspect doesn’t want to be too rude about the landlord — people meet again — but the rent increase is the reason.

That was exactly my interpretation. I presumed the lease ends at the end of the year and the landlord felt that he could get a better return from renting to a more tourist oriented outlet, to the extent the economics weren’t there for Davy’s.

[WS1]

Very sad indeed! Remember when drinking with friends SWC 1970 there for lunch and they nearly missed their flight back to Munich....

regards

WS1

[MigSU]

On a side note: I never understand this "It was still a big success but we decided to close" reasoning. It's a shame that a venue with almost half a century of service just closes down like that.

I suspect doesn’t want to be too rude about the landlord — people meet again — but the rent increase is the reason.

That was exactly my interpretation. I presumed the lease ends at the end of the year and the landlord felt that he could get a better return from renting to a more tourist oriented outlet, to the extent the economics weren’t there for Davy’s.

That's a fair interpretation.

[Alex M]

I attended my first tasting there. I brought a Dow 1983.

[jdaw1]

I brought a Dow 1983.

Fourteen years ago:

I intend to bring a recently acquired Dows 1983.

[WS1]

Found some evidence of the outing in the Crusting Pipe with SWC 1970. Even is period correct.

Regards WS1

[mcoulson]

food looks great as well .....

[Christopher]

Very sad to see it shutting but Covent Garden is not really the natural environment for a Davy’s wine bar. Sad it did not shut with more notice so we could have arranged a last visit