Calling all gin lovers. It’s World Gin Day this Saturday, the perfect excuse to head to London’s best gin bars...
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Calling all gin lovers. It’s World Gin Day this Saturday, the perfect excuse to head to London’s best gin bars and enjoy a refreshing gin concoction. Whether you like a classic gin and tonic, a gin martini or something a bit sweeter, your favourite tipple doesn’t have to break the bank (not every bar in London is overpriced). If you head to the right places, you can enjoy affordability combined with a fun setting. Gin is one of our favourite spirits at St Christopher’s and if it’s yours as well, take note of the 7 best affordable gin spots in London. Drink safely…
1 THE HERCULES PILLARS
This traditional British pub in the opulent area of Holborn has its very own gin menu, and we must say it’s seriously top-notch. We rate the variety of gin on offer at the Hercules Pillars. You can choose from Beefeater, Hendricks, Tanqueray, Blackwoods, Sipsmith, Tiger, Star of Bombay and the list goes on. The prices are affordable too, with a single costing £5.20 and a double around £7. Much more value for money than the high-end London bars charging £13 for the same gin brand. The Pillars is a relaxed traditional retreat away from the hustle and bustle of busy London. Think cosy, wooden furnishings and everything you’d want from a charming traditional English pub.
2 BELUSHI’S
If you’re craving a G&T in the city but you’re not prepared to splash out on London prices, Belushi’s is your saviour. For World Gin Day Belushi’s is celebrating with 2 for 1 Beefeater gin and tonics all afternoon from 12-8pm to celebrate the best day on the boozy calendar! The gin selection isn’t the biggest in London but they’re all great quality and the prices will make your jaw drop (in a good way). We recommend the King of Soho Gin paired with fresh grapefruit. There is also Bombay Sapphire, Plymouth, Tanqueray and more are on the menu, plus the gin cocktails are way too easy to drink. We suggest following the Belushi’s newsletter to get the latest drink deals and special offers on cocktails sent straight to your inbox.
3 GIN KITCHEN, HAWKER HOUSE
Hawker House in Canada Water is known and loved by locals for its mouth-watering selection of street food treats. Disguised by day as an old warehouse, by night this Street Feast market opens into a cool meeting place for young Londoners to chill out with food and drinks before heading “out out” later on. People get distracted by the pizza, tacos, jumbo prawns, dry-aged steak (the list goes on), but when it comes to drinking, the Gin Kitchen is the only place for it. The G&Ts in this corner of the yard are super well-priced and when it’s a balmy summer’s evening surely a gin is all anyone craves…
4 THE FOUR THIEVES
Hidden in the outskirts of London in the heart of Battersea, the Four Thieves has an affordable gin selection to rival even the priciest gin joints in central. With 45 of the world’s best gins including Bloomsbury 45 and Gin Mare behind the bar, plus a load of different tonics, in total this buzzing local pub has 350 variations of G&T available, with some even distilled on site! Each glass comes with its own perfectly paired garnish as a wedge of lime just won’t cut it at the Four Thieves. Check out the events page on their website and head down for a gin whilst watching their weekly comedy acts take to the stage. There's also fun games, a whole arcade room and mini golf! Sounds like the perfect Saturday night to us.
5 EAST LONDON LIQUOR COMPANY
The East London Liquor Company isn’t a place you’ll simply stumble across on a night out. Tucked away in Bow Wharf car park, this old glue factory now serves up a awesome G&T, straight from the gin distillery out back. The quirky interior goes perfectly with the chilled out vibe here, with brickwork and wooden stable doors on every wall. The gin made on site is definitely a must-try, but if you find it doesn’t tickle your tastebuds, there’s also a variety of others behind the bar. Try a cocktail based on their own London dry and premium batches, or opt for a marva Collins (London dry, yuzu, lime, bergamot bitters and soda) for just £8.50. If you want a taste of real local London gin, ELLC is the place to be.
6 LITTLE BIRD GIN, MALTBY STREET MARKET
Maltby Street Market is a hidden gem in itself making it’s Little Bird Gin bar even more of an treasure trove if a gin lover happens to stumble upon it. This charming independent gin joint takes pride in being one of those ‘in-the-know’ type places in London, serving up affordable concoctions containing only their delicious Little Bird gin as the tipple. Take a seat outside (if you can handle the delicious street food going past in every passer-by’s hand), and enjoy the atmosphere of Maltby Street on market day with a cold, refreshing Little Bird G&T. Sounds like heaven to us.
7 DIRTY MARTINI
If you’d rather celebrate World Gin Day with a gin martini and not a standard G+T, Dirty Martini is the place for you. Dirty Martini is such a fun night out that won’t let you down – and the best part is that it’s affordable. The perfect time for gin o’clock? Head here during Happy Hour where you all martinis are half price. We recommend the Kiwi and Coconut martini!
Here, they also serve up refreshing gin cocktails such as the Bramble, a zesty yet sweet blend Or you can opt for a Negroni. You can find Dirty Martini bars dotted around London but our favourite has to be in St Pauls or Covent Garden.
