5 of London’s Best Gin Bars
Gin, it’s been the drink of the moment for much more than a moment. And it’s the classic G&T that seems to be the tipple of choice, especially in the lead up to a big British summer and World Gin Day is this Sunday, so we thought we’d round up our favourite bars in the capital that celebrate the spirit:
BLOOM Gin Bar at Vista, The Trafalgar Hotel
What: BLOOM Gin takes over the rooftop bar
Why: The thing about BLOOM Gin is even if you aren’t a gin fan, you’re pretty much guaranteed to love this gin. It’s floral, delicate and dry and perfect in the summer with strawberries! This year Vista is celebrating this gin with a rooftop takeover. The bar is inspired by an English country garden with eau de nil cushions, flowers and trees. With panoramic views of the London skyline and Trafalgar Square, you get the best of both worlds. They also have weekly cocktail masterclasses on a Monday, with free G&Ts, ideal if you want to make the most out of your week! Open until September
Where: The Trafalgar, 2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Square, SW1A 2TS
Website: www.thetrafalgar.com
What: City-based distillery with a bar
Why: Situated in the heart of the City, this gin bar is an add-on to a working distillery. Sit and sip on one of their 200 gins overlooking the striking copper stills below, enjoyed in either a classed G&T or one of their inventive gin-based cocktails. Not for you? The Handbook recommends their summer ale – a light beer brewed with their own botanicals. The City of London Distillery also offers ‘Gin Experiences’, from distillery tours and tastings to days out where you get to distill your own gin.
Where: 224 Bride Lane, London, EC4Y 8DT
Website: www.cityoflondondistillery.com
What: An old gin palace in Shepherd’s Bush
Why: The bar team here are so passionate about gins, they infuse their own. From a Negroni-flavoured gin for Negroni Week to interesting seasonal flavours like mulled wine around Christmas, the Princess Victoria have even turned to creating their own tonic water to accompany them. They also host monthly Gin Extravaganza evenings with nearby distillery Sipsmith, which include a tour of the distillery, tastings and a four-course dinner back at the pub, which used to be an old Victoria gin palace itself!
Where: 217 Uxbridge Road, Shepherd’s Bush, W12 9DH
Website: www.princessvictoria.co.uk
What: Toasties and gin
Why: See ‘What’ section – toasties and gin. What more you could you want? This former gin palace in Newgate Street serve homemade toasties, quiches and sausage rolls alongside their ever-increasing variety of gins, all of which are served on ‘block’ ice with individually tailored garnishes. The Handbook likes to do a spot of sight seeing, with a stroll down the Thames, then up via St Paul’s cathedral and along to the tavern, where we stand outside to catch some rays with our G&T.
Where: 126 Newgate Street, EC1A 7AA
Website: www.viaducttavern.co.uk
What: ‘The world’s best martini’
Why: Hidden within Duke’s Hotel in Mayfair’s St James’s, Duke’s Bar is internationally renowned for two things: one, its famous martinis, and two, being author Ian Fleming’s inspiration behind the line ‘shaken, not stirred’ in the James Bond novels (and now films). The Handbook orders the classic martini when we go (we quote the line, of-course!) but have tried one or two of their special twists on the classic, including the special white truffle martini, which uses rich white truffles from Alba, Italy and takes over three weeks to infuse. In the summer, we suggest sitting in the hotel’s suntrap of a garden in your cocktails dress and catching some rays while you play the Bond girl.
Where: Duke’s Hotel, St James’s Place, SW1A 1NY
Website: www.dukeshotel.com
