Square Strengthens Operational Efficiency and Customer Experience at Gordon’s Wine Bar

Square, the globally trusted technology company that helps businesses of all sizes run and grow, is proud to support Gordon’s Wine Bar, London’s oldest wine bar, empowering the iconic venue to save costs, streamline operations, and enhance guest experiences while preserving its unique historic charm.

Tucked away on the Thames Embankment, Gordon’s Wine Bar has been serving customers since 1890, renowned for its candlelit vaults, old-world ambience, and extensive wine list. Despite its timeless atmosphere, the business recognised that running a heritage venue in a modern market required smarter, faster tools to keep up with customer expectations.

Gordon’s realised its previous systems couldn’t meet those needs. “The technology we’d been using for years struggled to integrate. Contactless payments, product information, and sales data were all disconnected. None of it gelled,” said Amanda Whiteside, Administration Manager at Gordon’s Wine Bar. The team turned to Square to modernise its operations while maintaining the personal, community-driven ethos the bar is famous for.

Today, Square’s integrated point-of-sale system, online ordering, and sleek hardware form the backbone of Gordon’s daily operations. The system gives the team real-time visibility over sales trends, staffing performance, and inventory needs, while its intuitive design ensures staff can provide exceptional service without distraction.

“Square has completely transformed how we run the business,” said Amanda Whiteside. “For a venue like ours, one that’s steeped in tradition but operates in a fast-paced, digital world, Square bridges that gap beautifully. Our team can now process orders faster, access real-time insights instantly, and make data-driven decisions that help us plan for the future.

What’s really impressive is how simple it is for the team to use. Training new staff used to be a time-consuming process, but now it’s quick and intuitive. Square gives us the confidence that everything is running smoothly behind the scenes, so we can focus on what matters most, creating an unforgettable experience for our guests.

As a family-owned business, we care deeply about maintaining our legacy and delivering quality without compromise. Square’s technology has given us the stability, transparency, and tools to do that. It feels like a partnership that truly supports our growth.”

Since switching to Square, Gordon’s has reported impressive results:

• Significant processing fee savings: an estimated £10,000 per year in card-processing costs.
• Hardware efficiencies: approximately £15,000 saved annually compared to their previous provider.
• Enhanced reporting and forecasting: real-time analytics that guide smarter purchasing, staffing, and inventory decisions.
• Operational flexibility: seamless integration with online ordering, enabling new revenue opportunities.
• Customer experience uplift: Square’s elegant hardware complements Gordon’s historic interior while improving service speed and consistency.

“Square is proud to support heritage venues like Gordon’s Wine Bar that blend tradition with innovation,” said John O’Beirne, Executive Director for Square UK. “By combining Square’s technology with Gordon’s passion for exceptional service and community, we’re helping one of London’s most iconic bars continue its story well into the future.”

To learn more about how Square supports hospitality businesses across the UK, visit squareup.com/gb.

To learn more about Gordon’s Wine Bar, visit: https://www.gordonswinebar.com/.

About Square
Square helps businesses turn transactions into connections and businesses into neighbourhood favourites.

In 2009, Square started with a simple invention – the first mobile card reader, which changed how the entire financial system thinks about small businesses. Square has since grown into a global business platform helping millions of sellers of all sizes participate and thrive in their communities.

Whether independently run or a global chain, Square understands that sellers succeed when they have the freedom to focus on the experiences that keep customers coming back. From point of sale and payments to online commerce, staff management, banking, and more, Square brings together the tools sellers need to run and grow on one intelligent platform. For more information, visit squareup.com.

About Gordon’s Wine Bar
Gordon’s Wine Bar has quenched the thirst of wine lovers for over 135 years. Close to Covent Garden and London’s Theatreland, it is a hidden gem, just minutes away from Trafalgar Square between Charing Cross and Embankment stations. Gordon’s is renowned for its history with a vaulted candlelit cellar and old oak barrels filled with sherries and port. With walls covered by old photographs, newspaper clippings of historic events you can take a step back in time, escape the hustle and enjoy a huge selection of award winning wines and great food.