Best Gin Bars in London
Looking for the best places to drink gin in London? We’re hardly surprised - long gone are the days when gin was thought of as the reserve of silver-haired ladies sipping at a G&T in one hand and handling their pearls in another. There’s an excellent range of pubs and bars specialising in gin these days, from venues brewing their own bottles on site to trendy hangouts featuring 180 varieties and counting. Check out our picks for the best gin bars in London!
Last updated on 13th April 2018
If you find yourself in West London and after a G&T with a twist, then Charlotte's Bistro is as good a bet as any. The casual restaurant and bar mixes things up with infused gins and unusual tonics.
There’s a low-lit, Victorian-inspired drinking parlour to discover nestled between Shoreditch and the city. Worship Street Whistling Shop offers among the most opulent gin cocktails in London, changing their menu regularly but always creating room for a list of refined gin-based favourites, as well as a good selection of whisky and other vintage liquors.
The name 'Half Hitch' is legendary in London's gin circles. This Autumn, gin-lovers from all over the capital can take part in a stunning tasting session that's certain to leave them with a beaming smile. Starting with a tasting of the distiller's best spirits, guests will then learn all about the history of this famous drink, before making their own bespoke gin using flavours and ingredients that they've brought from home. Expect huge flavours and plenty of fun at this gin masterclass in London.
You can't really take any cocktail guide seriously until it's found room for the legendary London Cocktail Club. A hedonistic place where the tunes are big and the drinks are bold, there's a lovely little selection of contemporary and classic mixed drinks to savour at their Shoreditch venue. The perfect fit if you're looking to dabble in gin as well as some other luscious concoctions.
You could say that Graphic pulls no punches when it comes to compiling an enormous gin selection. There was over 300 lining their shelves when we last checked, and that’s a collection that continues to grow. Head to this great gin bar in London, immerse yourself in a quirky setting featuring the latest in ground-breaking urban art and pick between house creations or a classic G&T.
One of London’s best gin bars is actually unknown to the masses; tucked away in the heart of Leadenhall Market. Topple down the stairs and into the snug and atmospheric surrounds of Old Tom’s Bar, where the craft beer selection is matched by a comprehensive range of premium gins.
Six Storeys in Soho is an exclusive venue that dazzles everyone who walks through its door; the venue has a vintage feel, with retro furniture and sleek designs. Spread over six floors, head to the parlour on the first floor, to try a gin tipple that's guaranteed to get you into the party mood.
An intimate, decadent speakeasy bar nestled in the heart of swish Marylebone, Purl offers a great selection of gin-based cocktails served in theatrical style. The masters of mixology use fogs, airs, foams and food and serve up the final product in bespoke vintage silverware, playing on the senses and creating some of the best gin cocktails in London.
Something of an emporium for customised tipples and spirit concoctions, Ask For Janice is the ideal spot for drinking gin in London for those local to Faringdon. All the big-hitters are here alongside some local bottles from Hoxton and Worship Street, and each spirit on the menu comes with a recommended mixer to guarantee a refreshing and expertly matched serve.
An eclectic space of giant maypoles, wicker masks and brass icons, the Hand of Glory is a kooky tribute to British folk culture. It’s arguably best known for the choice of countryside ciders, but your eyes will naturally wander to the Seven Deadly Gins section of the menu at this top gin bar in London.
With an on-site distillery brewing their own house Martello gin, this Hackney restaurant is swiftly becoming one of the best gin bars in London. Offering a range of gin-based cocktails, they have created their own signature cocktail, Martello, a lemon and mint concoction with a hefty serving of their own brew.
As the name suggests, The Elgin is rather into its junipers! Where better to savour that unique refreshment of the first G&T of the night than this most beautiful and weird of pubs? Lounge in a two tone velvet chair (yes, they exist and they are fabulous!) and sip in contentment. When the gin starts going to your head a little bit, peruse the excellent menu of small plates, boards and larger plates.
Like to swill your gin alongside breathtaking views of the Houses of Parliament? You’ll want to hear all about Gillray’s, where the bar features a stunning list of over 100 different gins for you to enjoy while you marvel at the riverside views. Ideal for a cool, classy visit where you can enjoy innovative cocktails mixed by some of the best in the business, Gilray’s also hosts gin tastings and masterclasses ideal for learning some more about the spirit.
A luxe hotel bar located just a stone's throw from Buckingham Palace, The New York Bar offer their own unique gin & tonic experience, where their expert mixologists take guests through a guided tasting session of some of the best gins in the business.
The bespoke G&T menu is at the heart of what makes this relaxed yet sophisticated lounge bar so popular. A hideaway filled with leather sofas, warm lighting and quirky artwork, the bar team are seriously skilled, mixing up a special gin-based menu inspired by the art pieces themselves.
So much more than one of the best places for ping pong in London, Bounce also features an expansive gin palace cocktail bar. With menus developed by award-winning bartenders and drinks muddled up using an exceptional range of premium brands, there’s a table service policy and you can pre-order in those gin cocktails to ensure there’s no need to mess about waiting for your drinks upon arrival.
A stunning place where “old style exuberance meets modern sophistication”, the Victorian Bath House offers stylish gin cocktails in a breathtaking spot close to Bishopsgate. Pull up a stool at this ‘by appointment only’ watering hole and pick something from the GINspiration menu, where the humble G&T is elevated to new heights by masterful mixologists.
Paying homage to the famous literary artists in the Bloomsbury Group like Virginia Wolff and Vanessa Bell, Bloom Kitchen & Bar serves locally sourced British food and a selection of gin-heavy cocktails. You'll find drinks like the Ferrari (Hendrick's Gin, Antica Formula, orange bitter, and cherry) and Caramel Cherry (Whitley Neil Rhubarb Gin, Martini Rosso, Maraschino, caramel) as you explore their cocktail list throughout the night.
Located in Notting Hill, Gin Tonica is a must-visit for any gin lovers. The restaurant is run by Portobello Road gin; grab one of their 100 types of gin, munch on tapas, and even make your own bottle in the shop downstairs.
