Close Menu
Top 10

Unmissable events for World Gin Day

From top-secret immersive dining to a multi-sensory experience in a space museum, there really is something for everyone this World Gin Day. SB rounds up the top global events as the celebration returns for its ninth iteration on 10 June.

Hosted annually on the second Saturday in June, World Gin Day is presented as a day for gin experts and novices alike to enjoy and celebrate the popular juniper-led spirit.

The event was founded by Neil Houston back in 2009, and with the help of Gin Monkey, aka Emma Stokes, has grown into an accessible platform that engages spirits lovers the world over.

“The premise is simple: get people around the world drinking gin,” said Stokes. “Anyone can get involved so long as there’s a gin focus and something of value for gin fans should they attend your event or come to your bar for a drink on the day, such as a masterclass, tasting, offer etc.”

“I love how people have taken it to their hearts and have used the opportunity to create all kinds of events, parties, tastings and masterclasses all over the world.”

Which countries will be taking part this year? “There are more pins on the map every day,” said Stokes. “So far we’ve got lots of events in the UK – as you’d expect – but there are also plenty in Australia, North America and I’ve added Japan, South Africa, Canada, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands and Cambodia over the last couple of weeks too.”

Click through the following pages for our pick of global World Gin Day events.

Junipalooza

Location: London, UK

Price: £30

Returning for its fourth year in 2017, Junipalooza is promising more masterclasses, exhibitors and gins than ever before. The show has a strict ‘owner or maker’ policy – that is, all the stands are manned by the people behind the brand, so visitors can learn first-hand about how the liquid came to be. There’ll be 55 distillers this year hailing from 12 countries and showcasing more than 115 gins between them. The ticket entitles guests to as many samples – with or without tonic – as they’d like to try, as well as talks and masterclasses by leading gin experts.

Still Fired Gin Distillation Workshop

Location: Nova Scotia, Canada

Price: N/A

To mark World Gin Day, the distillery is readying to fire up its speciality pot still, Kirby, for a day-long distillation workshop focused on its Fundy Gin. In addition to detailing the history, origin and popularity of the ‘craft’ gin movement, the Still Fired team will give visitors the opportunity to distill their very own batch of gin in a 20-litre turbo still. 

Nederlands Jeneverfestival Schiedam

Location: Schiedam, Netherlands

Price: €12.50

Ever fancied blind-tasting whisky and gin side-by-side? Or perhaps you’ve considered cooking with gin, but don’t know where to start? A melting pot of innovative European genevers and gins, this interactive festival is a must for Netherlands-based gin fanatics. As well as its comprehensive education schedule the festival also hosts a cocktail competition, where national bartenders battle it out on stage in front of a live audience.

 

The Gin Hop

Where: Colombo, Sri Lanka

Price: Rs. 4,000

World Gin Day has finally made its way to Sri Lanka in the form of the Gin Hop. A double decker bus will take guests to four of Colombo’s best bars to sample Colombo No. 7, Sipsmith, Broker’s Gin, and Hendrick’s. Organised by online drinks store WineWorld, all proceeds will be donated to towards a flood relief programme.

Juniper Manor

Location: London, UK

Price: Between £52.50 and £70

Immersive gastronomy platform Gingerline and British gin brand Sipsmith have partnered to create an experiential event that will delight foodies and ginthusiasts alike. While Juniper Manor’s location – somewhere between Highbury & Islington and New Cross on the East London Overground – will be kept under wraps until the last possible moment, guests can expect a four-course flavour feast complimented by Sipsmith tipples and interactive entertainment.

World Gin Day at Tipico Tapas

Location: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Price: N/A

Proud of its Spanish-style ‘gintonic’ serve, Tipico Tapas claims to have the largest gin collection in the country – but should you need any other reason to celebrate World Gin Day, the restaurant will be serving up five classic gin cocktails paired with a complimentary pintxo.

World Gin Day at the National Space Centre

Location: Leeds, UK

Price: £10

Said to be “a taste of science with a hint of juniper”, this event promises tastings, live entertainment, exhibitors, gin-infused food and a cocktail bar and even a multi-sensory walk-through gin experience. Delve into the history of gin and enjoy specialist science talks, all for the price of £10. Exploring the galleries of the National Space Centre with a G&T in hand? Sounds out of this world.

World Gin Day Brazil

Location: São Paulo, Brazil

Price: $80

The second edition of the World Gin Day Brazil festival is jam-packed with both major and craft gin brands, a roster of the country’s noted ‘startenders’ who will showcase a selection of bespoke gin cocktails, as well as live music, workshops and lectures. 

World Gin Day Afternoon Tea

Location: Cumbria, UK

Price: £35

Visitors will have the opportunity to pair a selection of gins, tonics and botanicals to create a variety of unique flavours, before enjoying an afternoon tea with a Gin Fizz cocktail. Next door, the distillery’s on-site restaurant The Bistro is offering a bespoke World Gin Day menu where every food item is made with The Lakes Gin, spanning starters to main courses and desserts.

 

It looks like you're in Asia, would you like to be redirected to the Drinks Business Asia edition?

Yes, take me to the Asia edition No