Gin enthusiasts take note: there’s a new Bermondsey bar on the London social scene, serving up heady gin cocktails and good old fashioned G&Ts.
SE1’s Bermondsey and London Bridge areas have been making a name for themselves of late, with the likes of Tom Sellers’ Restaurant Story and new retro eatery, Tanner & Co. popping up just south of the river.
Another trend causing quite a stir on the Capital’s social scene is gin. Whether it’s pop-up bars or secret underground palaces, mother’s ruin is definitely the drink Londoners want to be seen sipping this summer.
Well, 214 Bermondsey brings the two together. Situated in the basement of rustic Italian sister restaurant, Antico, on trendy Bermondsey Street no less, 214 Bermondsey serves up gin, each and every way imaginable in copious amounts.
As self-confessed gin enthusiasts here at StyleNest, we hotfooted it to 214 Bermondsey to sample their new Gin Flight – a gin induced challenge which tests whether you know your Hendricks from your Tanquarey, your juniper from you basil botanicals.
We arrived on a warm summer evening, still light and balmy outside. Down in the gin cave however, you’re transported to an after-hours New York vibe. Exposed brick walls are mixed with plush leather bar stools, whilst vintage chairs and dark hidden corners make up the rest of the room. It’s the perfect place to go on a date, or with girlfriends – there’s a real mixed bunch coming and going.
We ordered our Gin Flight and moments later a wooden platter with three gin and tonics arrived with a sealed envelope. These gin and tonics don’t look like the usual G&Ts we order, with an orangey tone to them and much less fizz. This is because, such gin connoisseurs that 214 Bermondsey are, they actually make their own tonic on the premises.
On with the game and the idea is to figure out which gin is in which tonic. With 214 having over 50 gins to choose from, the task is much harder than you’d expect, even with some helpful clues. But it’s a great way to get to know different brands and really discover how wonderfully varied different gins can be. All is revealed once you open the envelope and the staff are on hand to answer any gin based queries and the beautiful illustrated menu gives you a little history of each brand – a gindex if you like.
There’s also a wealth of gin cocktails to choose from, starting at a very reasonable £7. We recommend the Summer Fizz, the perfect tipple for this time of year thanks to it’s mix of geranium gin and prosecco.
And just in case you have one too many G&Ts, 214 Bermondsey offer a small menu from the upstairs restaurant. Choose from delicious homemade, fresh and seasonal pastas or sharing meat and cheese boards.
214 Bermondsey may be small in size but it’s big in character with a great atmosphere. Whether that had anything to do with the flowing gin cocktails, we’ll let you decide.
214 Bermondsey, 214 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3TQ Tel. 020 7430 6875
Opening Hours: Tues & Weds 17.00-23.00, Thurs 17.00-00.00 and Fri & Sat. 17.00-01.30
For cocktail recipes and inspiration to make at home, visit StyleNest’s Drinks recipe page here.