From G&Ts to martinis, here are the berry best joints for a juniper fix. Cin cin, gin-gers!
Dukes Hotel Bar, London
Where better to begin an homage to the quintessential British tipple than London, and in particular the famed spot said to have inspired the most memorable martini line of all – ‘shaken, not stirred’. The legendary cocktail bar of Mayfair’s Dukes Hotel was a favourite haunt of author Ian Fleming and resident mix master Alessandro Palazzi certainly still knows how to make a mean secret agent’s favourite swill. Go for the Fleming 89, inspired by Bond’s eau de cologne, then take your tuxedoed tush to the cigar garden.
Tip: Prefer somewhere a little less swanky? Try art-splashed Soho sipper Graphic, home to 200+ varieties, or Shoreditch Victoriana fave Worship Street Whistling Shop for a bevy of barrel-aged botanical blends.
Dukes Hotel, 35 St James’ Place, Mayfair, London. +44 20 7491 4840, dukeshotel.com
Dry Martini, Barcelona
The English might claim it as their own but the Spanish also love a bit of juniper juice, and one of the best places to get it in the Catalan capital is Javier de las Muelas’ divine Dry Martini. The swish L’Eixample saloon is as smooth as its moniker, with wooden cabinets stretching ceiling-ward, cushy velvet armchairs, and a long oak counter. Do we really need to tell you what to order?
Dry Martini, Aribau 162-166, L’Eixample, Barcelona. +34 932 185 080, drymartiniorg.com
Wynand Fockink, Amsterdam
These days Amsterdam might be associated with other indulgences, but it was here that they first started making gin’s granddaddy, jenever, way back in the C.17th. Tucked down a little alleyway off Dam square, time warp tasting room Wynand Fockink has been serving up tulip-shaped glasses of the floral liquor since 1679. Take a tour of the attached distillery then amble into the bottle-lined tavern for a six-sample tasting. Hic!
Wynand Fockink, Pijlsteeg 31, Centrum, Amsterdam. +31 20 639 2695, wynand-fockink.nl
Bathtub Gin, New York
The name may refer to the bootleg hooch drunk during the Prohibition Era, but a near century later, the gin at Chelsea’s hidden Bathtub is far from moonshine. Disguised by a sign reading ‘Stone Street Coffee Company’, this sultry speakeasy reps revamped classics like the Beefeater Negroni, plus punch cups and small plates to pair. There is, of course, an actual standalone bath in the salon, and it does indeed become rather inviting after a tipple or three. Sink in!
Bathtub Gin, 132 9th Ave, Chelsea, New York. +1 646 559 1671, bathtubginnyc.com
The Barber Shop, Sydney
Proving that gin is the most genteel of tipples, The Barber Shop is situated right inside a gentleman’s groomer. Get your blade shave, then take your new coiff back for a pineapple-spiked Fleet St cocktail. Think it’s all a bit of a hairy gimmick? You’ll be glad to know they’ve got more than 80 labels including boutique Oz and NZ names, aged vintages dating back to the ‘40s, and geneva from Holland, plus artisan tonic – does that about cut it?
The Barber Shop, 89 York St, CBD, Sydney. +61 2 9299 9699, thisisthebarbershop.com
Ping Pong 129 Gintonería, Hong Kong
Once a neighbourhood table tennis hall, now a glowing hip sipper of high ceilings, concrete columns, and weekly live jazz. An ode to Spanish gin, PP shelves 30+ rare and premium labels from the country, expertly mixed and finished with botanicals and handpicked garnishes. Try the lemon zest Martin Miller’s with Fever-Tree tonic, or the G’Vine Floraison with white grape and jasmine. Just add pintxos!
Ping Pong 129, 129 Second Street, Nam Cheong House, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong. +852 9835 5061, pingpong129.com
