Ask any proper Londoner where to get a good gin and you’ll get more opinions than the buses clogging Oxford Street on a rainy Friday. The city has been mad for gin since the days when 'Mother’s Ruin' was just about everywhere. Some might say too everywhere—cue that famous Gin Craze. But today, instead of back-alley slop, you get craft, flair, and a heady blend of old and new. London’s best gin bars aren’t just about swanky decor or boasting the longest menu; they’re about experience—pairing obsession with hospitality, and serving the city’s lifeblood in old cellars, neon-lit hideaways, and grand establishments with a story around every corner. It’s London in a glass, with all its history and attitude.
What Makes London's Gin Scene So Special?
There’s a wild, creative pulse that sets gin bars in London apart. This isn’t just about ordering a G&T with your Sunday roast. Londoners have almost a spiritual connection to gin—not surprising when you realise that the spirit and the city have grown up together. Walk into a typical London bar, and you’re hit with not just a menu, but a catalogue that’s two inches thick, boasting gins you’ve never heard of from micro-distilleries dotted across the UK. Half the fun is that half of them weren’t even around five years ago!
But it’s deeper than novelty. Gin’s been woven into London life since the 18th century, and you see echoes of that everywhere. In places like The Ginstitute in Notting Hill, you can still catch a whiff of the city’s boozy past. Here, folks blend history with hands-on gin-making, which is not something you’ll find in your average city. Expect to pull up a bar stool and overhear passionate debates about local botanicals, or the perfect ratio for a Negroni (some secretive bartenders will even swear by local tap water for ice cubes—seriously).
Not everything is tweed suits and dusty portraits, either. The city’s new craft revolution is all about pushing the edges. Take a look at Mr Fogg's Gin Parlour in Covent Garden, where eccentric Victoriana mixes with quirky cocktails, or the vivid colours and outdoor garden vibes in the bars of Shoreditch. The best places don’t just copy the classics—they mess with them, twist them, and flip the script. You’ll taste saffron-laced London Dry, wild-foraged herbs, and even locally distilled lavender-infused gins. Ever tried a gin smoked with charred British applewood? In London, you will.
If you really want to understand the scene, start with some numbers. According to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, the UK gin market was worth £3.2 billion in 2024, and about a quarter of that came from London bars. The city itself is home to over 120 distilleries, with more cropping up every year. Locals don’t just drink gin straight, either. London bartenders have transformed the humble G&T into complex concoctions with house-made tonics, seasonal garnishes, and more theatricality than a West End musical.
London’s geography also plays a part. You’ve got riverside establishments with panoramic views of the Thames, West End icons with plush banquettes perfect for people-watching, and micro-bars tucked away on backstreets where the gin menu dwarfs the food options. When it comes to gin, the diversity mirrors the city itself. You’ll find everything from grand palaces to grungy drinking dens, each with its own crowd and take on a gin classic. Some places specialise in neat pours for purists. Others go for wild, Instagram-worth cocktails that might as well qualify as edible art.
And if you’re after a proper British experience, keep an eye out for gin-based afternoon teas. You can raise a pinky at The Distillery on Portobello Road, nibble on cucumber sandwiches, and tip back tiny cocktails blended for each course. It’s cheeky, a little crazy, and very London. The city’s gin scene never stands still, and neither do the people who pour it.
London’s Truly Unmissable Gin Bars
You could lose a month’s pay (and a few phone chargers) hopping between all the best gin bars London has to offer, but there are some you just can’t walk past. Each one has a signature vibe, a loyal local following, and a story that belongs to the city. Whether you fancy hidden speakeasies, opulent palaces, or hipster haunts, there’s something about each spot that makes it so very London.
gin bars London is a phrase that barely scratches the surface of the variety on offer, but some names always come up in a boozy conversation. The City of London Distillery, right by St Paul’s, is where you smell the juniper the moment you walk in. This place doesn’t just serve gin—it makes it, on-site, with gleaming copper stills set behind glass for everyone to gawk at. Sip their tried-and-tested Six Bells Lemon Gin, and you’ll wonder why you ever settled for off-the-shelf stuff. Regulars usually grab a seat at the bar and let the bartenders steer them through the signature Negronis or a tasting flight, usually in exchange for a few good stories.
Not far off, over in Fitzrovia, The Punch Room inside The London Edition hotel gives you something more intimate—a wood-paneled, clubby throwback with a menu full of historic gin punches. Staff take pride in tableside service, pouring from old-school punch bowls so ornate they could easily be stolen from a stately home. On busy nights, the velvet chairs fill up, making it feel like you’ve stumbled into a private club—except anyone (with a reservation) can get in.
But London isn’t all marble bars and linen napkins. In Shoreditch, you’ll find Callooh Callay, which feels like Lewis Carroll on a gin bender. Expect surreal cocktails with names as mad as their ingredients—think yuzu and rhubarb bitters, or gins muddled with umami syrups and smoked garnishes. The decor goes from moody lighting to hidden wardrobes leading to private backrooms. It draws crowds for a reason: the drinks are inventive, but the service always feels like your mate’s letting you in on a secret.
Pushing west, there’s Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour—a love letter to Victorian adventurism, full of moustachioed staff, curios everywhere, and more than 200 gins, each paired with a feverish attention to garnish. They’ll wheel out oyster shell martinis or botanicals tied up in cheesecloth, all with a wink. Grab a seat at the window, chat to the staff about the latest gin arrivals, and just enjoy the theatre. This is the sort of place you bring visitors to prove that London’s not just about lager and late-night kebabs.
If you prefer something laid-back, The Merchant House in the City is where you go to escape the bustle. Old distillery memorabilia lines the walls, and the staff are living gin encyclopaedias—always ready with a recommendation, whether you’re a seasoned Londoner or a homesick foreigner yearning for a taste of something familiar. They stock hundreds of gins and won’t bat an eyelid at obscure requests. If you fancy more than just a tipple, look out for their gin tasting events—they’re as much about the banter as the botanicals.
There’s also the unapologetically down-to-earth East London Liquor Company, found at a former glue factory in Bow Wharf. It’s industrial, totally unpretentious, and they make their own gins on-site—no export, just for locals. If you want to see how the London gin revival is done, take the tour, then kick back in the bar with a grapefruit-forward East London G&T.
And don’t ignore the new kids. The Little Mercies in Crouch End, for example, has won awards for a highball-focused style and a menu that shifts with the seasons. Here, you’re just as likely to get a drink with seaweed bitters as something classic with lemon zest. It’s still neighbourhood at heart but cool enough for date nights and group catch-ups. And thanks to their geeky staff, you always walk away with a new way to order your gin.
Of course, the best thing about gin bars in London is how they’re always evolving. There’s probably a new one opening up right now, claiming to have found the next ‘must-try’ London Dry. If you want to keep up, follow local social feeds and look for special pop-up events—distilleries team up with restaurants and market stalls, hosting tastings and workshops where you can blend your own botanicals. You’re not just sipping; you’re learning something new about your city.
| Bar Name | Signature Gin | Specialty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of London Distillery | Six Bells Lemon Gin | On-site distilling, tours | First-timers, gin education |
| Punch Room | Classic Gin Punch | Table service, historic punches | Romantic nights, unique experience |
| Callooh Callay | Surreal Gin Cocktails | Quirky, innovative drinks | Groups, creative spirits |
| Mr Fogg’s Gin Parlour | Victorian Classics | Themed events, 200+ gins | Visitors, special occasions |
| Merchant House | Curated Gin List | Private tastings | Connoisseurs, tastings |
| East London Liquor Co. | Signature London Dry | Micro-distilling, casual vibe | Locals, relaxed evenings |
| Little Mercies | Seasonal Highballs | Award-winning menu | Trend-spotters, cocktails |
Insider Tips for Getting the Most Out of London’s Gin Bars
If you want to get the best out of the London gin scene, don’t just rock up without a plan. Start by booking in advance, especially for the most popular spots—Friday nights at Mr Fogg’s or the Punch Room fill up weeks ahead. Don't shy away from talking to bartenders; London’s best gin pros aren’t here to judge, and they love showing off their recommendations, whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned drinker. Tell them what you usually like—they’ll always nudge you to try something off the beaten path. Ever sipped gin with elderflower and peppercorn? You might after a quick chat.
Watch the menus for limited-edition gins and guest distillers—London’s top bars love collaborating, so a pop-up night might introduce you to a one-off gin you’ll never find again. And don’t be afraid of the non-G&T cocktails. The city’s mixologists take their craft seriously, blending gin with the likes of black tea, balsamic reduction, or even parsnip syrup for drinks that challenge everything you thought you knew about botanicals.
Another tip? Eat before you drink. Some bars serve nibbles, but gin’s a deceptively strong tipple, and Londoners are pros at soaking it up with something carb-loaded. Grab a pie or a bag of chips from a nearby shop before settling in for a night of tasting. If you’re hoping for a food and gin pairing, check for themed nights—places like The Distillery and Merchant House occasionally run multi-course dinners, where each plate gets its own bespoke gin to match the flavours.
Look for seasonal specials. Many gin bars refresh their menus for summer and winter, rolling out floral infusions and fruity garnishes in warmer months, then switching to spicy sloe gins and hot toddies when the cold sets in. Themed events pop up around holidays—Valentine’s, Christmas, even Wimbledon tends to get its own gin cocktail (think strawberries, cucumber, and all things British).
Tech tip—most places now offer digital menus and lists, so you can scan with your phone. It’s a smart move, since some menus run over 100 gins, not to mention all the tonics and mixers (Fever-Tree, Double Dutch, and Square Root are local favourites). Don’t stress about making the perfect call—if you get lost, just ask for a classic London Dry with slimline tonic, lemon, and plenty of ice. Some of the best gin moments are the simplest.
Finally, for the die-hards: consider a gin-focused walking tour. A handful of London companies run guided evenings between East End bars and secret speakeasies, with plenty of history (and tastings) along the way. Look for events celebrating World Gin Day in June—London goes mad for gin-themed parties, masterclasses, and tastings citywide. It’s almost impossible not to leave with a new favourite. And remember, the London Tube runs late on weekends, so there’s no excuse for missing last call.