Features / Bars
Bristol’s first speciality gin bar prepares to open
Bristol’s first speciality gin bar and restaurant is set to open in Old Market on Friday.
Owners Alice de Haan and Julia Speed have almost finished refurbishing one of West Street’s most historic buildings, complete with a myriad of underground rooms and snugs to establish what they hope will be one of Bristol’s best and quirkiest bars.
Dutch, an ode to the infamous Dutch courage rumoured to have originated from drinking gin, lives up to its name by bringing a new and ambitious style of wining and dining to Bristol.
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The vision: an open hygge-style space with plants, pendant drop lights, a copper bar table, and shelves of gins selected from local and London distilleries.
Alice and Julia spent their summers at festivals building their love and expertise for the spirit while working at a mobile bar company, Wonder Bars.
Now, the pair have found the bricks and mortar premises to continue the business and their passion.
“Gin is a massively growing product not only in popularity but with how many ways there are to work with it creatively in drinks and food,” says Julia.
This new gin haven will more than 400 gins as well as soon serving an all-day menu of gin-inspired dishes.
The most important thing, Alice says, is that a host of knowledgeable staff will enable guests to learn a lot about gin as well as enjoying a fun experience.
The two friends are particularly keen about the new way of eating that they are introducing with their bar, with dishes served gradually in a tapas-style so diners have time to socialise between plates.
After the launch night on February 10, the basement level will include a series of events including film screenings and live music.
Dutch opens on February 10 at 16 West Street. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Dutch.Bristol
Read more: ‘Bristol is about as good as it gets for bars in the UK’
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