Nothing screams summer more than a gin and tonic and there’s no better place to enjoy a glass (or two) than at one of London’s many gin bars. These gin bars are my favourite ones in the city, scattered around from Central to East London. They’re all unique, from their interiors to gin cocktail offerings to general vibes. Whether you’re a die-hard gin-lover, or just looking for a cool new bar for end-of-year celebratory drinks, check out my list of the top 10 gin bars in London.
My best 10 gin bars in London
Each London gin bar is worth a visit, so if you’re willing, why not try them all? Make sure your phone is charged, as they’re some of the best places to fill up your Insta feed too!
1. Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour
A hidden gem just off the bustling Covent Garden, Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour is like a Victorian parlour and unlike any other London bar I’ve been to. Mr Fogg’s offers up a collection of over 200 different gins as well as a range of tonics and botanicals. You can choose from a carefully curated tasting selection or take your pick from the menu where the gins are divided by flavour profile. If you’re looking for something to accompany your drink (or not get too drunk), Mr Fogg’s has you covered with a selection of delectable cakes or savoury nibbles catering to everyone’s taste. For a more hands-on experience or a fun thing to do in London with friends or on a date, try out the Gin Safari – a guided tour and gin masterclass held every Saturday and Sunday for £44pp.
Address: 1 New Row, WC2N 4EA
2. Mother’s Ruin Gin Palace
Tucked away in an unsuspecting unit of a trendy East London industrial estate, is Mother’s Ruin. They dedicate the weekdays to manufacturing gin onsite but come Friday to Sunday, the space is transformed into a gin bar which is a combination of modern and quirky. The bar offers an impressive selection of over 60 varieties of gin, including two batches which they produce themselves. They offer cosy indoor seating, and outdoor seating is available as well, shared with neighbouring breweries so it’s a really fun place to hang out and meet people.
Address: 18 Ravenswood Industrial Estate, E17 9HQ
3. 214 Bermondsey
Close to London’s well-known Borough Market is 214 Bermondsey, a gin bar located in the basement of Italian restaurant Flour & Grape. The atmosphere is dark and moody, creating the perfect ambience for an evening out. Plus, they have over 100 gins to choose from to accompany the Bermondsey tonic they serve up so it’s great for gin lovers. Make sure to take advantage of their extraordinary happy hour deal of selected double G&Ts for £6 every day from 5-6 pm. Or explore the diverse range of gins they have to offer with a ‘gin flight’, which is a themed tasting selection of gins allowing you to sample and compare a selection of Britain’s finest gins.
Address: 214 Bermondsey St, SE1 3TQ
4. The Connaught Bar
Nestled in London’s sophisticated Mayfair, the Connaught Bar isn’t solely a gin bar but does offer a varied array of gin and mixers. This includes the house-distilled Connaught Gin which is meticulously blended and bottled by the bar’s talented mixologist. The gin has a distinctive and aromatic flavour profile with notes of juniper, Amalfi lemon and lavender making it perfect for a refreshing gin and tonic or an elegant martini. The bar itself is the image of luxury and elegance complete with Art Deco features and plush seating, making it the place to be for a special occasion or a date.
Address: 16 Carlos Pl, W1K 2AL
5. Luna Gin Bar
Luna Gin Bar is one of my favourites, located in the beautiful West Hampstead in North West London. It prides itself on being the “best gin bar in town” offering up a vast collection of gins and tonics, including both well-known and niche brands. Luna Gin Bar pairs their array of delicious gins with plates of delightful Mediterranean food and music, creating the perfect relaxed environment to laugh and chat the night away. It’s ideal if you want a nice place to go out where the vibes are somewhere in between club and restaurant – not too crazy and not too dull!
Address: 188 Broadhurst Gardens, NW6 3AY
6. The Four Thieves
The Four Thieves is an immersive pub experience in Battersea and is one of the most unique venues and gin bars in London. It’s not only a traditional pub and tap room but a gin bar that serves over 250 gin and tonic combinations with gins from across Europe. What sets The Four Thieves apart from other London gin bars on this list is its vibrant and lively atmosphere AND diverse range of activities, such as retro arcade games, karaoke and comedy nights every Wednesday. Each visit promises a new and exciting experience, making it a must-visit place for groups of friends or date night.
Address: 51 Lavender Gardens, SW11 1JW
7. Graveney Gin
Described as a ‘hole in the wall’ and ‘hidden gem’, Graveney Gin Bar is a great gin cocktail bar to hang out if you live near or are heading to South West London, based in the historic Tooting Market. It serves up delicious gin-based cocktails and gin and tonics all made with their own handcrafted Graveney Gins. The three house-distilled gins, made with organic ingredients and infused with artisan flavours, have even won awards at the London Spirit Competition. Graveney Gin Bar also offers a gin-tasting experience, either for guests themselves or as a gift which allows visitors to taste the Graveney Gins and learn about the history of gin in London.
Address: Unit 22a, Tooting Market, 21-23 Tooting High St, SW17 0SN
8. Nightjar
Nightjar in Shoreditch, East London is a basement bar that provides guests a 1920s bar experience with live jazz and blues music. The whole bar is an experience in itself from a speak-easy style entrance to an Art-Deco interior. It could be something out of The Great Gatsby, so perfect if you like that kind of vibe or are in the mood to dress in flapper dresses and feather boas or braces and bowler hats. Nightjar combines music from the 1920s to the 1950s with skilfully-made cocktails. The creative cocktail menu offers up a good selection of gin-based drinks, which is why I’ve included it in my top gin bars in London, but they also an array of modern and vintage gins to be served alone or with a mixer of your choice. If you’re feeling like a boujee night out, then this is definitely the place for you.
Address: 129 City Rd, EC1V 1JB
9. Jim and Tonic Mayfair
Located in the jaw-dropping St Mark’s Church, tucked away in London’s shopping district of Mayfair, is the gin bar Jim and Tonic. They serve both cocktails and G&Ts made with gin brewed by the brand in East London and tonics to match your preference. Surrounded by other food and drink stalls, the atmosphere is buzzing and bustling making it perfect for people watching. The highly recommended Mediterranean Gin has won two of the best awards in the spirits industry; Master Status and San Francisco Double Gold, thus making it one of the best gins in London – and the world. If you’re looking for a unique day out head down to Mercato Mayfair and try out this amazing gin bar for yourself!
Address: Mercato Mayfair St. Mark’s Church, 13A N Audley St, London W1K 6WE
10. Purl
Purl Cocktail Bar is located in the heart of Marylebone, London and serves up a wonderful selection of gin-based cocktails. Purl blends the art of mixology with multi-sensory theatrics, using fog, air, foam and food to create meticulous cocktails. The bar is a glamorous and intimate setting for guests to enjoy their drinks featuring vintage décor. In addition, the bar’s gin collection features both well-known brands and artisanal, small-batch gins which are incorporated into their creative concoctions. All in all, Purl is a wonderful drinking experience for gin lovers and cocktail enthusiasts alike.
Address: 50-54 Blandford Street, W1U 7HX
London’s gin bar options are great but if you’re looking for another way to spend your night out the options for fun nights out never end. Start your night at a gin bar then carry on the party within London’s vibrant nightlife.
I’m currently a BA Anthropology student so people watching is my favourite thing! I love going to concerts, pop culture and reading. In my free time, I love trying new places to eat.
