After Hours 

Bringing Balearic vibes and bodega chic to East Dulwich

Author: Olivia Kelly, London-based writer and creative. Published Wednesday 21st May 2025.

It’s early evening and the late spring sunshine is finally emitting its soft warmth across East Dulwich, after what most Londoners would agree has been a rather slow start to the year. There’s a gentle hum in the air as locals congregate down Lordship Lane to collectively bask in the balmy sunshine, and if you walk just a touch past the main throng, along North Cross Road, you’ll find Forest - East Dulwich’s favourite plant shop – home to a gorgeous abundance of houseplants and high-end lifestyle and homeware products. Entering the shop is like stepping into a botanical garden where natural light flows freely and gentle clusters of exquisite plants thrive happily.

Tonight, Forest is holding their bi-monthly event, After Hours - a fruitful collaboration with acclaimed indie wine specialists and fellow independent, Hop Burns & Black, that sees Forest metamorphose from the communities’ much-loved plant shop into a chic bodega for the night. Alice and her team artfully and effortlessly swap plants for candlelit tables and cosy seating peppered throughout various nooks. What materialises is a tasteful, sophisticated “pop-up” wine and tapas bar with an easy-going atmosphere complemented by a vibrant yet unobtrusive thrum of Balearic beats…an eclectic playlist courtesy of Jen and Glenn from Hop Burns & Black, who not only procure the finest nectar, but also DJ and craft flavoursome hot sauces too.  

So how did After Hours come to be? “It’s a random story actually…” Alice explains, “we were in Palma for the weekend, just strolling around soaking up the atmosphere, and we spotted a record shop. After a short time there we were offered drinks, a few snacks, and thought, yeah this really nice! We browsed a few more shops only to be offered more drinks - wine, a couple of beers, that kind of thing. We realised it was a really nice way to engage with independent shops, blurring the line between shopping and relaxing. Everyone was browsing and socialising and generally having a really good time. We realised it would be a cool thing to do at Forest.”

 

And a cool thing it is. On entering the shop, you’re met with a gentle buzz of conversation in a space that is already full at a little past 6pm. What’s noticeable is the vibe. The music is just the right level, each nook is carefully laid out to accommodate a few people, and the natural light in the shop feels like you’re sitting in a beautiful conservatory of a stately home.

What is evident is that it’s loved by the locals, “some regulars pop in for a glass and then head out, or others will sit and read their book, or catch up with friends…we really want to keep it open and casual, with no pressure to book or have an allocated time,” says Alice, and they have achieved exactly that – a low-key space to gather with friends and enjoy a curated selection of high quality natural wine and tapas in an intimate setting tucked away from the main high street - where there’s no pressure or crowds or noise to compete with. Each table is spaced perfectly to allow punters to fully relax into the space and soak up the ambience, meaning you can simply enjoy whiling away the hours sipping effervescent wines and mouthwatering tapas.

As for the wine, you’ll find a red, white, rose and orange to choose from – all expertly selected by purveyors of the good stuff, Hop Burns & Black. You can purchase by the glass or by the bottle, all priced very reasonably at £6.50 for a glass. “We’ve priced the wine sensitively to keep it accessible and to try and change the perception that natural wine is a luxury. We want everyone to come and have a good time and enjoy delicious wine,” noted Alice.

 

Indeed, the natural wines are absolutely delicious. And moreish. Highlights of the evening – an orange wine from the province of Piacenza, Italy that leaves a delightfully zingy and clean taste on the palette, and a light red from Domaine le Roc, France - described as a “pet nat”, which is a French term meaning “naturally sparkling.” It does indeed have a gentle effervescence and a refreshingly light and delicate taste, perfect for the summer months. I also learn about the grape’s origin, a vineyard carefully nurtured by a man named Jean Luc Ribes – a viticulturalist by day; blues musician by night, revered for his pioneering use of grass in grape cultivation and all-round legend of the viticulturist world it seems. It’s these stories that make wine tasting even more delectable…and you’ll certainly be tempted to taste every one.  

On the tapas menu this evening is a delicious array of meats and cheeses from award-winning Spanish delicatessen, Brindisa. Renowned for their carefully sourced cheese and charcuterie representative of authentic flavours from Spain, which over the years has seen them grow exponentially with a handful of restaurants and delicatessens established across London. 

Tonight, I’m presented with a sublime selection – melt-in-the-mouth manchego, creamy mushroom croquetas dusted in a light, crunchy coating and the most buttery Salchichón I’ve ever tasted. Then there’s the black olive salt – oh my. Accompanying these dishes in classic Spanish style is a soft, fresh baguette served with sidekick of butter that is dusted with this irresistible black olive salt; a perfect umami blend of rich, creamy butter followed by a salty after-finish from the black olive, but with more depth compared to sea salt - it just keeps on giving. 

Forest serves large sharing plates that can be enjoyed together and the wine is paired with the seasonal menu. All on rotation every time to keep palettes curious and appetites ravenous. 

 

 After Hours has been going for almost two years now and each time the shop fills with locals returning once more to soak up the mellow atmosphere. From committed regulars to passers-by, to loved up couples and intimate first dates, set against a backdrop of luscious, abundant nature. As we round up for the evening, I see Alice chatting to a couple of regulars who have been thoroughly enjoying their night revelling in deep conversation over flickering candlelight. As the gentle patter of their conversation ebbs and flows, I hear - “...oh go on, we’ll have another.” And this interaction sums up the evening perfectly – a night spent with your favourite people, eating excellent food and drinking excellent wine, in a relaxed setting made even more incredible by the Forest team and the beautiful nature that surrounds you. You’ll come for a glass and stay for the evening. 

At After Hours you can escape the bustle of life and take a pause, either in your own space or with friends chatting the night away. I mean, really, what more could you want. In a city where finding a space at a bar means either booking in advance or unwillingly cosying up to strangers, you can see why After Hours is loved and enjoyed by the local community. It’s a haven. An intimate evening that flows at its own pace. And what a beautiful thing it is. 

Thursday is the new Friday as they say, so why not pop down to Forest and enjoy life’s simple pleasures - fantastic food and drink, great music, outstanding service from the Forest team, and gorgeous plants that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a wild, tropical garden.

After Hours is held every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. “Hop Burns & Botanicals” DJ sets with livestream is held on the first After Hours of each month. Expect an amazing selection ranging from Balearic beats to folk to desert disco and everything in-between. All Strictly chilled vibes of course.

After Hours - Forest, East Dulwich, 35 North Cross Road, SE22 9ET

Hop Burns & Black - Located in East Dulwich & Deptford + music livestream here

Brindisa - Borough Market