Gin fans wanting the full immersion will soon be able to eat, drink and sleep gin thanks to the launch of London’s first ‘gin hotel’, The Distillery at the end of December. Situated in the heart of west London’s Portobello Market, this four-floor, multi-million Pound gin Mecca will house a micro-distillery, gin museum, specialist gin shop, two bars and restaurants as well as three boutique rooms for sleeping it all off.
The Distillery is the next step in the evolution of The Ginstitute, a gin blending experience that started life above the nearby Portobello Star, a tiny bar which also served as the spiritual home for the award-winning Portobello Road Gin.
“People who buy our gin come from all over the world to visit so we wanted to offer people a way to have a real connection with it,” says co-founder Ged Feltham. “I guess you could call it a modern-day gin palace. It’s a celebration and an education in the heritage and tradition of the spirit.”
Thanks to the new distilling set-up, every drop of Portobello Gin will soon be produced back in-house, along with a range of experiments, limited editions and seasonal gin recipes which will form the backbone of the menu in the building’s Resting Rooms bar. The mixological brains behind the project, Jake Burger, also promises a variety of other spirits sourced from their favourite distilleries around the world, aged in cask on-site to give them a unique twist.
A more international list of gins, meanwhile, will be on offer in GinTonic bar, where guests can choose from a range of generously proportioned, Spanish-style G&Ts accompanied by a menu of small plates from the restaurant.
Those not content with simply drinking gin can also have a go at blending their own courtesy of the new, improved Ginstitute experience, an hour-long masterclass which also includes a troll through gin history and the opportunity to take home a bottle of your very own recipe.
Up at the top of the building, three individually-styled bedrooms will take decorative cues from the area’s Victorian history, and afford far-reaching views of the market below. As you’d hope, the mini-bar also promises to be second to none – expect a selection of locally-produced drinks as well as a choice of pre-mixed Portobello Road Gin cocktails.
The Distillery, 186 Portobello Road, W11 London, the-distillery.london
