Our Midlands reviewer James March is in Warwick to visit the recently opened Wanderbar.
Formerly a gin-heavy bar in central Warwick, the Warwickshire-based Happy Wolf Pub Company took over and refashioned this spot into a cocktail-driven direction in November 2025.
WanderBar is fairly low lit, with compact leather chairs snuck under small candle-lit tables in the front and larger group-friendly booths at the back.
The massive black-and-white menu on the wall is useful for lazily contemplating what to choose next, which is a 21-strong choice of glasses – Martini, short, Highball and speciality – of varying prices.
I start with the Smokey Cokey (£12), made from single malt whisky, infused smoke, bitters, Coca-Cola and lemon. While a tad too heavy on the ice, which dulls the flavour, I’m impressed by the use of quality local English whisky from the Cotswolds Distillery. The smoke aroma lingers but isn’t hugely prominent and could perhaps be better off with a peated scotch.
Bestseller Ferrero Rocher (£12) is next, assembled with chocolate ice cream, Baileys, Kahlúa, Nutella and a sprinkling of small, crushed Ferrero Rocher chunks in the cold, creamy centre. It’s not an all-night sipper, but is well-executed and not overtly sweet.
WanderBar is a friendly spot in a town that needs it, but still lacks refinement.
★★★☆☆
» 22 Swan St, Warwick, CV34 4BJ