The Whalley Wine Bar — Restaurant in Ribble Valley

Disappointing first visit. We’ve tried to get into this new wine bar a couple of times, but been unsuccessful. We are locals & regulars to the Whalley Wine shop next door, which is excellent. We discovered that the wine bar doesn’t take reservations for less that 4 people- tables for 2 are on a walk-in basis, so we “walked in” this afternoon. Initially we were ignored for 5 minutes, so approached the bar & asked for a table. We were shown to a small table the size of a table mat! When we asked what time the table for 4 next to us was reserved for (it had a reservation sign on but with no time) so we could sit there until they came, we were told they were due any minute. So we ordered a charcuterie board & bottle of wine, which were both very nice, but the board was hanging over the end of the tiny table & there was no room for the wine! However, we struggled through & as we were leaving- an hour and a half later, the table for 4 was still empty. When I asked the barman what time the reservation was for - it was for 15 minutes after we were leaving! So we could have sat at the bigger table, making the whole experience much more pleasant. I don’t like being lied to. Got the impression it’s a clicky place & it was quite noisy too- birthday party. Not happy at all. Won’t be rushing back. Staff not...

We arrived with friends that had recommended The Whalley Wine Bar (and Wine shop). We started with visiting the wine shop, after browsing the wines through the store we got chatting to a few, very knowledgeable chaps that really knew their stuff. Lots of recommendations to sample different wines. We earmarked a few wines, but then left to get a bite to eat next door in the wine bar, to then return and make our purchases. The wine bar, on a Saturday was extremely busy (no surprise), however we were made to feel welcome and although we hadn't reserved a table, the waitress managed to make us some space with a 30 minute limit, she then managed to move bookings around, giving us a lot longer (a nice touch). From here we ordered some delicious bites to go with the wine, (Mine being a Chablis and Pate). The atmosphere was truly amazing and the service very good. We then returned to the wine shop to purchase our wines, which again, really made to feel welcome even though the shop at this point was a lot busier. All in all, a very lovely experience from both sides of this business. We live over an hour away but we're already planning our return, trust me, it's...

An amazing bar! I've been here several times now and every time it's been a pleasant experience. It's relatively small inside but really nice and cosy. The choice of wine is amazing! as are the standard bar drink offerings in general. The cheese and meat boards are very good 😌 and much better value to those served around the corner. It's very popular and doesn't take bookings for small numbers (less than 4) however, every time the front of house has attempted to accommodate us (2 of us normally). If I recall only once have we been able to walk straight in and grab a table at peak time. Other times we've sat outside, waited about 10mins until space, went to another bar to return and once they got some stools and sat at the bar. But like I've said every time is been a pleasant experience and obviously so because we keep returning and shall do. Just to that's the staff are amazing...