Quite what that will entail after March 2019 remains to be seen but, at this point, the shortened version of the definition is a gin made from a neutral base spirit of agricultural origin, that has already been distilled to over 96% ABV, (re)distilled to at least 70% ABV and then watered down and bottled to a minimum strength of 37.5%, flavoured predominantly with juniper, and have no colour or flavour added after distillation.  Yeah. Snappy, isn’t it?

For the purposes of this feature though, we’re going to focus on the more fun aspects of London gin –  i.e. where you can drink Fifty Pounds in the nation’s capital.

Holborn Dining Room

The bar/restaurant at the Rosewood Hotel, located in the old Prudential building on High Holborn, has two claims to fame. One is chef Calum Franklin and his ability with pastry – seriously, check out the newly added pie room and/or Calum’s pie work on Instagram (@chefcalum).  The second is an expanding collection of gins, currently numbering over 600, including yours truly.

Fifteen

Jamie Oliver’s social enterprise venture continues to impress. The food is still on point, in a modern British style, and, at the risk of blowing one’s own trumpet, the cocktail bar maintains the theme of quality, artisanal produce.

Duck and Waffle

Duck and Waffle – located on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, Duck and Waffle offers a 24/7 service, great views over London and, in Richard Woods – one of the Evening Standard’s 1000 Most Influential People in London – a Head of Spirit and Cocktail Development with impeccable taste.

Hoi Polloi

Like its sister places globally, the Shoreditch Ace Hotel oozes coolness, particularly in Hoi Polloi, the wood-panelled bar and brasserie that offers an all-day menu and a fine selection of gins.

The Star At Night/London Gin Club

We almost feel bad telling people about this one as it’s become something of an “address book secret” for many. For those in the know, however, it’s a fabulous hangout, with table service, a relaxed vibe, a very decent cocktail menu and a choice of some 200 gins.

Tate Modern

Years ago, the Victoria and Albert Museum used to market themselves as a “very good café with a museum attached” and we could paraphrase that here in that the Tate Modern is a very good bar with a gallery attached…  It’s not at all true, obviously – the magnificent gallery is clearly the bigger draw – but its spacious, elegant bar feels like a genuine “find».

The Colonel Fawcett

Another one to keep under your hat, Camden’s Colonel Fawcett describe themselves as the district’s “best-kept secret” – although it’s hard to see them staying “unknown” for long.  Gastropub classics, an excellent BBQ menu – weather permitting – and a gin list well into double figures seems to be a very fine recipe for success  – and fame.

Jake’s Bar – cocktail maven Jake Burger (job title: libator) knows a thing or two about cocktails and quality drinks. It should come as no surprise that Leeds’ Jake’s Bar carries Fifty Pounds.

Liquor Store – According to this year’s Eat Drink and Sleep Awards, The Liquor Store is Manchester’s best bar. Their back bar collection is impressive and features Fifty Pounds’ very recognisable bottle.

Fifteen – Jamie Oliver’s social enterprise venture is celebrating – remarkably – its 15^th anniversary. As well as the modern British menu, the cocktail bar reflects the JO approach to quality, artisanal produce.

Gin Tub – Hove’s Gin Tub stocks over eighty gins, including yours truly. They also offer a rather splendid afternoon tea should you be so inclined – and a rum cage, if you’re not.

Holborn Dining Room – While chef Calum Franklin’s pies are causing something of a stir (do seek him out on Instagram), this all day dining room at the Rosewood Hotel also features a gin bar with – wait for it – over 500 bottles.

The Launderette – Manchester’s burgeoning reputation for food and drink has spread far from the city centre. This Chorlton bar offers cocktails, pizzas, an outside terrace and, of course, the true source of a stonkingly good gin and tonic.

Duck and Waffle – located on the 40^th floor of the Heron Tower, Duck and Waffle offers a 24/7 service, great views over London and, clearly, a bar manager with great taste…

Hoi Polloi – the Ace Hotel chain oozes cool in key cities around the globe including London, where their wood-panelled bar and brasserie Hoi Polloi offers an all-day menu and a fine selection of gins.

Smokestack – is it a cocktail bar with music or a music bar with cocktails? Either way, Smokestack in Leeds has a fine reputation for its drinks and its atmosphere.

House Of Tippler – Tim Oakley trained at Babington House in Somerset, and opened House of Tippler in 2012. The aim: classic and seasonally inspired cocktails, beverages and locally sourced food. Our classic London gin would seem to fit then…

The Wash House in Manchester – Lurking behind the façade of a fake laundrette lie excellent drinks, table service and very stylish surroundings. And, of course, at least one first rate gin. The laundrette thing is fun in reality, less so via their deeply uninformative website but one cocktail is all it will take to forgive them…

Ape & Bird, London – Part of Russell Norman’s Polpo group, Ape & Bird was their attempt at a pub. The interior is still very gastropub but the menu has gone full Venetian – and is all the better for it – there’s a very good value wine list and a fine selection of gins.

The Star At Night / London Gin Club – A great Soho secret since its launch in the early 2000s, a few years ago, The Star At Night rebranded as – fanfare please – The London Gin Club offering table service, a relaxed vibe and, as well as a decent cocktail menu and wine list, a choice of some 200 gins.

Tate Modern – We could borrow from the V&A’s old marketing campaign and describe the Tate as a very good bar with a gallery attached…  While it’s not strictly fair – the gallery is clearly the bigger draw – the spacious, elegant bar feels like a genuine “find”.

The Colonel Fawcett – Billing themselves as  ”Camden’s best kept secret” it’s hard to see them staying “unknown” for long. Gastropub classics, an excellent BBQ menu – weather permitting – and a gin list well into double figures seems to be a very fine recipe for success  – and fame.