A gin-lovers guide to the best bars in Liverpool

If you are looking for the complete gin tasting experience, then head to Love Lane Brewery which has its very own gin distillery. Here, you can book a gin tour and learn more about the gin-making process, which involves sourcing local ingredients and combining them with exotic botanicals to create the perfect gin blends. To sample the gin, you can book the distillery tour and tasting which runs every Saturday and Sunday at 4pm. They also offer a Sunday package, so you can soak up your favourite gins with a hearty roast from Love Lane Brewery’s kitchen.

If you fancy making your own gin, you can sign up for Love Lane’s Gin School, which includes a tour, gin tasting and your own personal distilled gin bottle to take home. You also won’t go hungry as you will be treated to tea or coffee and biscuits on arrival, as well as burgers and hot dogs from Love Lane’s Low Slow and Dough Menu. 

Another must-visit for gin-lovers is the Liverpool Gin Distillery, which produces the much-loved Liverpool Organic Gin which is made on-site in Margaret – a 60-litre custom-built copper still which gives it the unique flavour.

There are plenty of things to do inside the Liverpool Gin Distillery – you can simply grab a spot near the bar and order your favourite gin or dig deeper and opt for a tour and tasting. For the full experience, you can try the Gin Lab Experience, which includes a tour of the distillery, which will help you understand how the gin is crafted. You will then be led to the gin laboratory, where you will learn about the history of gin before getting stuck in and creating your own personalised bottle of Liverpool Gin, which you can name yourself. If you prefer to just taste rather than create, you can try the gin tasting experience, which includes a gin and tonic on arrival, a tour of the distillery, and sampling of the Liverpool Gin collection. 

When the sun is cracking the flags and you are gasping for a gin and tonic, the first place you should head to is The Botanic Garden, an eclectic gin utopia hidden away in the Baltic Triangle. Here, you will find all-things gin, from gin cocktails to cans of Original Long Drink which will keep your cool on the few days we get some sun. You can also soak up the gin and the rays with the most delicious Detroit-style pizzas from Hot Mess Pizza Company, which are set to make a comeback again this year.

As The Botanical Garden is an outdoor bar it is only open in the spring and summer months, so make sure you get your gin fix when the time comes. As Spring looms, the garden will open back up with a big party, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the opening date.

If you are heading to a show at the Philharmonic, make a pit stop at the Jenever Gin Bar in the heart of the Georgian Quarter. Here, you can choose from over 100 different gin variations, along with a range of classic and unique cocktails. Once you’ve chosen your drink of choice, you can kickback and enjoy some live music.

If you are looking to try some new gin flavours, try Jenever’s gin tasting experience, which includes a brief rundown of Jenever’s history, followed by a sampling of some of the top recommended gins that they offer. They will also show you how to palette the gins with the right tonics and garnishes. If, for some reason, you’re not a gin lover, you can try out the vodka tasting experience instead, which is equally as flavoursome.

If you’re a gin lover who hasn’t stepped foot inside Jenny’s Bar, you’ve been missing out big time. If you head to Jenny’s in the evening and you’re lucky enough to grab a table, one of the bartenders will set you up on one of the plush red couches, pour you some water and leave you to ponder over the menu while enjoying the nostalgic disco sounds from the DJ booth.

Jenny’s is known for the beautifully curated cocktails, including classics such as the French 75, which is served with Broker’s Gin, fresh lemon, sugar and topped with Prosecco. It is described as “Ginny, citrusy and fabulously quaffable”. If you’re a dessert lover, you should try the Lemon Meringue, which is packed with Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle gin, Limoncello, lemon curd, Sherry, fresh lemon juice and sugar. This lemon delight cocktail is served straight up and shaken with fresh egg white – now that’s a real dessert.

Looking for something a bit different? Why not try Little Hardware – a secret speakeasy hiding underneath the old Rapid Hardware store. To find the bar, all you need to do is lookout for a rusty wheelbarrow. Once you’re past the wheelbarrow and comfy in your seat, you can explore the menu, which has plenty of classic and unique cocktails, including a range of gin options. 

The talented bar staff also whip up some special cocktails, including a surprise favourite – Basil Brush with basil washed Beefeater gin, lemon, apricot, sour cream (weird but good) and basil oil. The Wine-O-Workey is also a fan favourite with red wine, cinnamon reduction, olorosso sherry, gin and lemon juice – a very strong but flavourful choice.

The Buyers Club not only serves up delicious Italian food, but the bartenders also pour out an excellent gin balloon. Opt for the classic Plymouth gin or for more flavour try the blood orange Whitley Neil or the pink grapefruit Malfy gin, all served with fevertree tonic. 

They also serve up some fruity gin cocktails like the Ramble with Beefeater gin, raspberry liqueur, sugar and lemon juice or op for a bittersweet choice like the classic negroni (with prosecco in it if you wish).

Berry Rye is a quaint cocktail bar, nestled in Berry street. Here, you can enjoy a night of good company, great music and even greater gin. Sip on a Elder Gin Punch (Broker’s London dry gin, St Germain – Elderflower Liqueur, chamomile tea, supasawa and sugar) while listening to the sound of the blues or try Berry and Rye’s perfected Negroni with Gin, Campari and Martini Rosso. 

After your visit, you may be tempted to make your own cocktails at home. Instead of trying it yourself, you can always order some Bottled By Berry cocktails on the website, so you can enjoy the best-tasting cocktails from the comfort of your own home. If you prefer to be in the thick of it, tasting great cocktails and listening to the jazz and blues, make sure you book in advance to secure a seat.

Leaf may be known for its extensive selection of tea, however it also offers an impressive drinks menu, which includes your favourite gin brands, as well as Leaf’s own Rose gin and the Leaf x Turncoat Bold St Chai gin. 

They also serve up some excellent gin-infused leaf tea cocktails, like the Bonfire Negroni with the usual ingredients plus Leaf Lapsang tea. If you prefer something lighter, you should try the Lychee Rose with gin, Kwai Fee lychee liqueur and Leaf Rose Petal infusion. If you are heading to Leaf on a Tuesday, get ready for the ultimate quiz night and on Thursday nights, make sure you stick around for the open mic night – maybe after a few gins you’ll be up on the stage.

The Oracle offers a unique drinking experience, with magic shows, spellcasting, seances and of course plenty of gin-infused potions. If you prefer something fruity, you will love the Clover Club cocktails with gin, fresh raspberry, lemon, raspberry conserve and foamer. For something more fragrant and earthy, go for The Secret Garden drinks with elderflower liqueur, apple, lemon and soda. 

If you’re heading to the oracle after work and need a pick-me-up, you should try the Corpse Reviver No. 2 with gin, dry vermouth, triple sec, absinthe and lemon. For something more powerful, ask for the Green Fairy, a £25 cocktail which will guarantee some forgetfulness and maybe a pinch of regret in the morning.