Gone are the days when speakeasy bars were dark, dingy dens sought after by folks in dire need of a tipple during the US’s tumultuous Prohibition period.

The New York legend of The Bath Club continues to inspire many Prohibition 
bars across the globe, but locally none captures the essence of this hedonistic 
bygone era quite like The Gin Bar. Dennis Williams has teamed up with chocoholic duo Anthony Gird and Michael de Klerk of Honest Chocolate 
Café, to open a concept gin bar behind their cult café in the Commune 1 Building.

Guests either
stumble on it by
chance or know
what clues to look
out for

Purposefully unmarked to weed out those not in the know, The Gin Bar works on a need-to-know basis – guests either stumble on it by sheer chance or they know what clues to look out for, such as the light outside Honest Chocolate Café that goes on when the bar is open. If you’re lucky to find it, you are greeted by a courtyard nothing short of captivating – it’s small, quaint and just plain beautiful.

Image: Sean Calitz
NEGRONI 1 tot Carpano Antica Formula (sweet vermouth) 1 tot Campari 1 tot Buitenverwachting Gin Stir with ice. Pinch of salt Add a drop of a secret ingredient. Garnish with dehydrated orange
NEGRONI 1 tot Carpano Antica Formula (sweet vermouth) 1 tot Campari 1 tot Buitenverwachting Gin Stir with ice. Pinch of salt Add a drop of a secret ingredient. Garnish with dehydrated orange
Image: Sean Calitz
BASIL SMASH 2 tots Jorgensen’s Distillery Gin Half cup muddled basil I tot fresh lime juice Half tot agave syrup
BASIL SMASH 2 tots Jorgensen’s Distillery Gin Half cup muddled basil I tot fresh lime juice Half tot agave syrup
Image: Sean Calitz

Most frequent equest from patrons? It’s not uncommon or a someone, boy or girl, to come in and look you in the eye and say “Please may I have some Head?” Barman’s cocktail: 8.5/10. The Negroni is a study on perfected balance – the gin adds herbaceousness while the Campari lends a whack of bitterness rounded off by sweet ermouth to soften and balance.

Barman personality: 9/10. Dennis is awesome – he’s attentive without smothering, charming and a riveting storyteller. His approach to hosting beckons the type of unspoken camaraderie of days long past,  making him the best man to quell even the most persistent of thirsts. 

THE HEART Double shot Amber Inverroche gin 2 whole cloves 150ml Fever-tree light tonic Sprig of rosemary Halved strawberries Orange slice Mix and serve in crystal brandy goblet
THE HEART Double shot Amber Inverroche gin 2 whole cloves 150ml Fever-tree light tonic Sprig of rosemary Halved strawberries Orange slice Mix and serve in crystal brandy goblet
Image: Sean Calitz

64 A Wale St, Cape Town.
076 765 8306
theginbar.co.za

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