Meet Vivat Bacchus Owner: James Dawson
Behind the South African magic in our Vivat Bacchus London restaurants, is owner, James Dawson. A South African man himself who infuses our culinary haven with the authentic flavours and vibrant energy of his homeland; we want to peel back the layers of our restaurant and share the captivating tale of how James came to be the proud owner.
James Dawson at Vivat Bacchus
The Story
James arrived in the UK from South Africa with just £50 in his pocket for a job in social work. Upon arrival, the job fell through, and so he found himself spending three nights sleeping rough on a park bench. Not quite the start he’d been looking for.
He soon diverted his attention to finance, where James found himself on the bustling streets of Paris by his late 20s and working on HSBC’s wine trading desk. What was supposed to be a short stint of just six weeks turned into two years, as he fully immersed himself in the richness of French cuisine and viniculture. To further this commitment to learning, James would rent a car every other weekend and visit a wine region to explore as much as he could.
Seven years then flew by in a whirlwind of dedication and passion as James dove headfirst into the world of wine. He completed his wine qualifications and read countless books on the subject to ensure his expertise was unshakeable. He soon began hosting wine tastings and hitting the streets on his trusty motorbike to sell wine before work – his entrepreneurial spirit knowing no bounds! Before long, he was importing and selling wines to restaurants, and as it turns out, that was just the beginning.
In 2014, faced with the dilemma of having imported a treasure trove of exquisite wines yet struggling to sell them on, James decided to take matters into his own hands. And what better way to showcase a passion for vino than by opening a wine bar? He broke new ground by becoming the first UK hospitality business to successfully crowdfund, raising an impressive £500,000. The inaugural wine bar, Humble Grape, was opened in Battersea in 2015.
Working on the floor alongside the General Manager, they were offering excellent wine and simple toasties - and yet despite this basic food menu, they managed to soar to the coveted title of London’s top restaurant on Trip Advisor. Inspired by this unexpected triumph, they set their sights on elevating their food and in two years their bold vision became a reality: they opened three thriving venues and welcomed an Executive Chef into the fold, adding another layer of expertise to their team. Today, Humble Grape have six wine bars across the city, offering neighbourhoods a cosy local space to enjoy quality wine and seasonal food!
James calls himself a “wine guy, not a restaurant guy”, so taking on Vivat Bacchus in 2022 was certainly a new challenge. But when the opportunity presented itself, providing the chance to reconnect with his South African heritage, it was a no brainer. He streamlined the menu to its South African core and put the classics front and centre: crocodile, ostrich, and frikkadel; aiming to keep quality a priority.
Vivat Bacchus
You can feel James’ wine influence in the restaurant today. We’re home to the largest South African wine list in London and have a décor that feels slightly industrial, with its open ceilings, exposed pipes and ducts to create the feeling of being in a working winery. We host tours of our wine cellars so you can experience the full range of the Rainbow Nation and our expert team can talk you through it all, whether a wine novice or a connoisseur, they love any opportunity to share their favourite bottles.
We also have a new event series, our wine dinners, to bring the focus back to our extraordinary wines. These exclusive multi-course wine pairing dinners will focus on two different estates in May: Vergelegen and Kanonkop to give you the opportunity to taste a selection of these award-winning grapes.
We know that today Vivat Bacchus really is one of the best South African restaurants and wine bars in London. We like to think we’re here for everything you need, from date nights to parties – even weddings! – but we always keep simplicity and consistency at our core, so you are guaranteed to experience great food and great wine, time after time!
Experience it for yourself at Vivat Bacchus and book a table now.
