Winston Churchill is reported as saying that the classic gin and tonic “has saved more Englishmen’s lives and minds” than doctors! So if you feel like you’re in need of a bit of TLG (tender loving gin!), don’t be a sloe-coach, and hurry along to these gin hot-spots around the UK to celebrate World Gin Day (9 June).
A fantastic line-up of great venues to satisfy any gin lover
40 St Paul's, Birmingham
With around 140 different types of gin, and only 24 seats, you'll be outnumbered by spirits in this intimate gin bar. Situated in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, 40 St Paul's is nationally recognised, having won the “Best Gin List†at the Imbibe Menu of the Year Awards in 2017, and “Best Gin Bar in the UK†in 2018! Their menu is designed to help make your decision a lot easier, with drinks being divided into categories (including juniper, citrus, floral) with flavour wheels around which the gins are placed. Top tip: if you love black humour as much as you love a bit of “mother's ruinâ€, head to 40 St Pauls on a Sunday for bar snacks and a communal game of Cards Against Humanity. Booking is advised.
Image Credit: 40 St Paul's via Facebook
40 St Pauls is located at 40 Cox Street, Birmingham, B3 1RD
This cosy Edinburgh gin bar is more than just a watering hole. With its on-site stills affectionately known as Flora and Caledonia, Heads & Tales is the home of Edinburgh Gin, giving you the rare opportunity to spectate the distillation process as you sip either a cocktail from the extensive menu, or a bespoke beverage tailored to your tastes. Let's hope they can keep distilling at the rate gin-loving customers keep consuming...
Image Credit: Heads and Tales via their website
Heads & Tails is located at 1a Rutland Place, Edinburgh, EH1 2AD
Sipsmith Distillery, London
Reopened in 2009 - the first gin distillery to open its doors in London since 1820 - the famous Sipsmith Distillery conducts tours where you can be introduced to their three copper ladies, Prudence, Patience and Constance, and learn about the production and history of London Dry Gin. For £25 you can partake in a guided tour of the distillery and enjoy a subsequent tutored tasting. Or, if you want to splash out on the Sipsmith's Supper Club for £85, you can get the same experience plus a 3 course meal at Charlotte's bistro and a 35cl bottle of dry gin to take home with you.
Image Credit: Jamie Stephenson via Flickr
Sipsmith Distillery is located at 83 Cranbrook Road, Chiswick, London, W4 2LJ
Plymouth Gin Distillery, Plymouth
The Plymouth Gin Distillery is the oldest working distillery in England, having produced Plymouth Gin using the original recipe since 1793. However, parts of the building in fact date back to the early 1400s - The Refectory Room is a medieval hall built in 1431 and is one of the oldest buildings in Plymouth. The building's seen a lot of life in its long history, being a monastery, a debtor's prison, a meeting spot for Huguenot refugees and even the place where The Pilgrim Fathers spent their last night in England before voyaging to America in 1620. Tours are only £7.00 and include an overview of the distillery's history, the production method of Plymouth Gin, a tutored tasting of Plymouth Gin Original and Plymouth Sloe Gin, as well as a complimentary G&T at the Refectory Bar.
Image Credit: Visit Plymouth via Facebook
Plymouth Gin Distillery is located at Black Friars Distillery, 60 Southside Street, The Barbican, Plymouth, PL1 2LQ
Old Bell Inn, Greater Manchester
At a glance, The Old Bell Inn may look like your typical northern pub, but inside its walls is a Guinness World Records holding Gin Emporium. The emporium, created by Philip Whiteman, is the world's largest collection of the largest number of gins commercially available, with a whopping 600 gins for customers to choose from. If you're not sure where to start, head to The Old Bell Inn's gin masterclasses on the last Thursday of every month, where an industry expert will showcase a different gin, and serve the perfect G&T.
Image Credit: The Old Bell Inn via their website
The Old Bell Inn is located on Huddersfield Road, Delph, Oldham, OL3 5EG