Conviviale wine bar takes over the old Vins site in Islington, with poutine on the menu

Conviviale, a new wine bar at 93 Grosvenor Avenue in Islington, opened for a soft launch on 9 October. It opens fully on 14 October 2026 and will trade from Wednesday to Sunday.

The bar replaces Vins, the Canonbury wine bar that closed late last year after eight years. Owner Cat Barry has no background in hospitality. She worked in tech until about two years ago. She grew up in Montreal and hopes to bring some of that city’s nightlife energy to the neighbourhood.

What is on the wine list at Conviviale

Barry has been building up her own wine collection for years, and some of those bottles will go on the list so drinkers can try things they would not usually come across. The bar is not a natural wine specialist. There are a few natural bottles, but she describes the list as “more classic and focused on a lot of European” wines. She has also added favourites from further afield, including North America and South Africa. A handful of premium options will be available, along with local beers that include Howling Hops from Hackney.

Poutine and bigger plates

Cheese and charcuterie boards, which were first served at an earlier pop-up, stay on the menu, and several of the staff have worked as cheesemongers. For the full opening the kitchen is adding larger dishes. One is a pork chop served with mustard and maple syrup, alongside fennel and cabbage. Another is a bowl of steamed mussels done Thai style.

Given where Barry comes from, there is poutine too. The chips and the gravy are both made in house and served with cheese she has sourced specially. She promises “a really nice one”.

Inside, a new bar counter has been built and the room has been made brighter. Details are on the bar’s website and on Instagram at @barconviviale.