It’s gin, gin and more gin at this iconic Gay Village bar

Gin is firmly at the heart of Iconic. The bar on Richmond Street has embraced the juniper and is slowly filling all of its back bar space with gin, gin and more gin. The staples of any good back bar are in place but are joined by some of the most innovative and exciting gins currently being created by gin-mad people all over the world.

Before we get to the gin, let’s talk about the bar. It’s small, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in its welcome. Launched in 2011, Iconic quickly found a place in the Village as a friendly local during the week and a place to party at the weekend.

One of the regulars, Terri Gold, (or Miss Terri Gold if you pop in on a Saturday night) took over last year. After a few changes in décor and design – and with a very generous injection of gin – the bar is heading into 2017 in great shape.

Currently stocking over 80 weird and wonderful gins, with many more coming up, one of the most unusual we have come across is X-Gin. Billed as ‘a Gin for the Queens, Gods and Kings’, they say it has a taste of passion, a hint of cocoa, and a whiff of vanilla. Well, if it’s good enough for Queens, Gods and Kings, it’s certainly good enough for us.

Next we find some Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin distilled at the edge of a lake in this small Irish town and made from 12 botanicals including juniper, angelica, orris root, vapour infused oriental lemon, fresh grapefruit and gunpowder tea. And what a corker it is. Something tells me after a few of these you may need some strong coffee in the morning.

Fast becoming a favourite around town is our very own Manchester Gin. Having met the founders, I love the fact that dandelion and burdock root is one of the botanicals as they loved the drink in their youth. The secret to any successful gin on a back bar is this type of good story.

With lots going on throughout the week, Mondays’ unique interactive smartphone quiz, and Thursdays’ cabaret with Coco Pop, it’s a welcoming bar for friends, strangers, and of course gin lovers with more gins, garnishes and tonics on the way.

PS did we mention the gin?

Iconic, Richmond Street, M1 3LZ
@IconicBarMCR