![]() What has also been a key motivator for Sunny was to put together a wine list that steered away from the ‘classics’ – think Chablis, Barolos and Sancerres. ![]() To fulfill this ambition, it was paramount for Sunny to work directly with the winemakers, taking the wine importers and agencies out of the equation. His vision was to offer customers a truly alternative selection of wines that they might not have even dreamed of. It is clear from the outset that Sunny didn’t want to reproduce a template used by large retailers and high street wine shops. But I was curious to hear from the man himself, first-hand, about the motivations and ideas that drove him to open this exciting project. With the press release in my hands, I thought I had a good understanding of Diogenes’ concept. Prior to opening his bar, Sunny’s most recent position was at the Italian restaurant Margot in Covent Garden, where he formed part of the opening management team, along with the owners Paulo de Tarso and Nicolas Jaouen. I walked into the spacious ground floor area and was welcomed by Sunny as we sat down for a coffee. He was the ultimate loner who preferred his own company to that of other people. Considered to be the original stoic, the legend goes that Diogenes lived in an oversized wine casket and championed the lifestyle of dogs over humans. The bar is named after the ancient Greek philosopher, also known as Diogenes the Cynic, who lived for nearly 90 years between 414 BC and 323 BC. I got in touch with Diogenes’ PR team at Mance&Co and booked a meeting with Sunny on a rainy Saturday morning, exactly a week before restaurants, pubs and bars were allowed to re-open. I decided to write a short piece about Diogenes The Dog and I also wanted to catch up with its founder, Sunny Hodge. I’m all for supporting local and independent businesses, and particularly those brave enough to challenge the pre-conceptions of certain neighbourhoods in London. Suddenly I felt slightly guilty that I hadn’t been back ever since. I remember popping in when it launched and ended up buying a wonderful bottle of Crémant de Bourgogne (Deliance Père & Fils, Brut Réserve NV), the more affordable alternative to champagne. It was during one of those late afternoon strolls, walking aimlessly in Elephant & Castle, that I bumped into Diogenes The Dog, the wine bar and boutique wine shop which opened its doors in November 2018. And it was a joy to reacquaint myself with all the historical buildings at my doorstep: Lambeth Palace, the Cinema Museum, the Stockwell Bus Garage, Southbank House and one of London’s best kept secrets, the Beefeater Gin Distillery, just off Kennington Lane. I learned to appreciate how close I am to so many green spaces such as Kennington Park, West Square and the gem that is Harleyford Road Community Garden. With so much spare time on my hands, I was able to slow down and take a fresh new look at my surroundings in South East London. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the recent lockdown was the opportunity for me to embark on long walks in my neighbourhood.
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