Inspired by a social drinking culture, a lot of pubs in London and the UK have become known for their cocktails. The Winslow has brought that culture here to New York City and as one of the premier gin bars, The Winslow has over 40 different types of gin available in its lounge. Our menu is easy to read and allows anyone to pair their gins with different types of food and flavors like lemon and lime. We even offer gin clubs every month to introduce people to gin and gin drinking. Upon inception, we wanted Manhattan’s The Winslow to focus on gin because of gin’s unique qualities as a spirit and flavor palate, making it one of the best gin pubs in NY.
History of Gin
London’s history with gin is fascinating, and despite still being one of the biggest producers of gin in the world, London Gin has had a torrid past. In the 18th and 19th Centuries, London’s gin consumption increased due to many reasons, however, one main reason was that the water was so bad that it was actually safer to drink gin. Seeing their market share decline, Beer producers decided to create a propaganda campaign by commissioning William Hogarth to execute a campaign, which he did very well.
His most famous piece is the poster titled, ‘Mother’s Ruin‘ depicting Londoners in a state of despair. Its impactful imagery, Gin Lane, had a mother dropped her child, another man in need of a fish and chips, another man fighting with a dog over a bone, whereas the images depicting beer drinkers was far different. William Hogarth’s beer drinkers were classy, elegantly dressed, rich, happy, full bellies and forever his efforts in turn changed the London Pub culture by seeing many more people drinking beer thereafter.
Gin of course has been revitalized and the London dry style gin brands are famous for their unique style and tastes. Gin pubs have begun to multiply due to the change in Gin’s reputation, and rather than being seen as mother’s ruin, it has now become popular due to this increase in popularity. We have a gin club on select Tuesdays which is designed to showcase some of our gin partners and give you a good Gin Education.
Our gin specialists will tell you about the history of their distillery as well as the intricacies and or the flavors present in the gin. Our staff has a lot of experience with drink and food combinations. We recommend that you try some of our Ginventions as well as sample some of our more than 30 different types of gin, making The Winslow one of the best gin pubs in Manhattan.
Juniper Berries Were Used To Flavor Gins Served in Bars
Gin began some time ago in the Netherlands or Belgium where it was called Jenever a drink the locals would craft and flavor with juniper. Eventually, it became popular in London and some people began to cut corners and produce versions of gin that were less pure and not as flavorful, thus where the description of Mother’s Ruin came about.
The Gin and Tonic has saved more Englishmen’s lives and minds, than all of the doctors in the Empire.
Winston Churchill
Gin is often a misunderstood spirit
During the 1800’s the British Empire found out that the people of India ate quinine to help with the symptoms of malaria; what had ended up was that the people would end up mixing gin with the quinine because of the bitter taste that quinine had. This led to the famous quote by Winston Churchill, “The Gin and Tonic has saved more Englishmen’s lives and minds, than all of the doctors in the Empire.” Other cocktails had been invented to help the health of sailors, the gimlet, which helped prevent scurvy.
Most people grow up and cannot recall a fond memory of gin—it conjures stigmas of pine needles and Christmas trees. What they have yet to discover is how many unique properties gin can help accentuate in one’s palate when paired with food. Instead of associating the flavor of juniper berry with Aunt Pearl’s stash of extra dry gin in a plastic handled bottle we can now sip smoothly the botanical forward and complex flavor profiles of the new and old style gins alike.
Not Just Any NYC Gin Bar
Mark Tafoya, co-founder of The Winslow, recalls when he and his brother would go to the local Safeway and buy the cheapest bottles of Safeway’s own branded gin. Yes, prior to honing his craft as a bartender, this fine gentleman in his youth would drink that horrid product on the rocks in a Styrofoam coffee cup. Admittedly his own experiences left a nasty residue on his taste buds, and it wasn’t until years later when he tried Hendricks that he started realizing gin itself wasn’t just limited to the big players who owned the gin segment for so many years. Most notably: Gordon’s, Bombay, Tanqueray and Beefeater.
Bathtub Gin Is Not Made In A Bathtub
Today’s gin revival is in large part due to the process of making gin, and no, we don’t mean in a bathtub. Take whiskey for example, it has always been popular and the distilleries that were making whiskey would have to wait five years until their product could be ready. That’s a long time to wait for any kind of profit. Gin became a moneymaking machine for those distilleries because you don’t have to age it. Beautiful small batch and craft gins started popping up changing many a mind as to what this whole gin game was about. This brings us to Hendricks’s ten-year revival.
Hendricks long ago broke that Juniper Forward London style dry gin and instead began adding botanicals such as cucumber and rosebud to its gin. When people started drinking that style of gin and asking for it in the bars it opened up the doors for many more craft gins ranging from something as simple as distilling it with raw honey as you find in Barr Hill or all the way to Monkey 47, which, you guessed it, is made with 47 botanicals.
The Winslow’s owners wanted to create a true British-inspired gastropub. Because gin has had such a big influence, as well as its history in London, they realized Manhattan needed a proper gin NYC bar.
Largely influenced by the Spanish presentation of gin and tonics with botanical pairings, The Winslow wasn’t just going to have gin on the menu– it was going to serve it properly. Often you will notice the spices, dried fruit and botanicals lining our bar. We add varying combinations to our gin and tonics and gin specialty cocktails. Gin has evolved, and alcohol purists, as well as people within the bar industry, have joined the evolution.
There’s A Reason Why We’re Among The Best Gins Bars in NYC
The Winslow boasts over 40 different styles and brands of gin. Each is hand selected and available with a specialty tonic, specialty pairing or even many of our specialty cocktails. We think gin is special, and want each customer leaving here feeling the same way. If you are at all still on the fence as to whether or not gin is for you, stop in and be convinced.
As one of the best gin bars in Manhattan, we offer a unique experience for those looking to explore the world of gin. Our lounge provides a comfortable and inviting atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a gin and tonic or one of our signature gin cocktails. With outdoor seating available, you can sip your drink while taking in the sights and sounds of the city.
In addition to our extensive gin selection, we also offer a variety of wine and other cocktails, making The Winslow a great spot as a wine bar or date bar, enjoying outdoor cocktail lounge while sipping a bar cocktail or a gin cocktail. Our knowledgeable staff is always happy to help you find the perfect drink to suit your tastes.
At The Winslow, we believe that gin is more than just a spirit – it’s an experience. Whether you’re a gin enthusiast or just looking to try something new, we invite you to come visit us and discover why we’re considered one of the best gin bars in NY.
All About New York City
New York City, often just called New York, is the largest and most populous city in the United States. It is located at the southern tip of NY State and sits on one of the world’s premier natural harbors.
The city is made up of five distinct boroughs that align with five separate counties: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Each borough contributes unique neighborhoods, cultures, and flair to the fabric of New York City.
With over 8 million residents distributed across 300 square miles, New York City boasts an incredibly diverse and dense population. Over 800 languages are spoken across its neighborhoods, reflecting immigration trends that have shaped the city for centuries.
Beyond its giant population, NY is an undisputed global hub of media, culture, fashion, technology, entertainment, tourism, finance, healthcare, art, and sports. Home to Wall Street and corporations like the NY Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, NY holds tremendous influence over the global economy.
Some key highways running through the city include Interstate 95, Interstate 87, Interstate 278, Interstate 495, and the FDR Drive. Major colleges and universities located in New York City include Columbia University, NYU, CUNY, Fordham University, and The New School.
Some of the city’s most quintessential features include the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, Broadway theaters, museums, iconic bridges, and world-famous skyscrapers. NY is also home to theatrical productions, restaurants, music/art scenes, and universities that draw visitors from around the world.
Iconic parks not to miss are Central Park, Bryant Park, Prospect Park, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, and Washington Square Park. The 2 main airports are John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.
Famous points of interest that are a must-see include the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, One World Trade Center, the Broadway Theater District, Central Park Zoo, Rockefeller Center, the High Line park, and the Brooklyn Bridge.
Some of the most well-known neighborhoods to explore include Greenwich Village, SoHo, TriBeCa, Harlem, Williamsburg, Astoria, DUMBO, Chelsea, the Upper East Side, and Park Slope. Each area contributes its own vibe and culture to this vibrant city.
In essence, NY is like a world within a city – both a cultural melting pot and a modern metropolis. Its dynamism, density, diversity, and distinction make it a global focal point and one of the most famous places on Earth. With so much to see and do, NY offers something for everyone. It rightfully earns its reputation as the city that never sleeps!
Highways in New York City
Highways in New York City
- Interstate 95 (I-95)
- Interstate 87 (I-87)
- Interstate 278 (I-278)
- Interstate 495 (I-495)
- FDR Drive
Colleges in New York City
Colleges in New York City
- Columbia University – 116th St & Broadway, 10027
- New York University (NYU) – 70 Washington Sq S, 10012
- City University of New York (CUNY) – 205 E 42nd St, 10017
- Fordham University – 441 E Fordham Rd, 10458
- The New School – 66 W 12th St, 10011
Parks in New York City
Parks in New York City
- Central Park – Central Park N & 5th Ave, 10026
- Bryant Park – 6th Ave & W 41st St, 10018
- Prospect Park – Prospect Park West & 9th St, 11215
- Flushing Meadows-Corona Park – Grand Central Pkwy, 11354
- Washington Square Park – 5th Ave & Waverly Pl, 10012
Airports in New York City
Airports in New York City
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Points of Interest in New York City
Points of Interest in New York City
- Statue of Liberty – Liberty Island, 10004
- Empire State Building – 350 5th Ave, 10118
- Times Square – Manhattan, 10036
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art – 1000 5th Ave, 10028
- One World Trade Center – 285 Fulton St, 10007
- Broadway Theatre District – Broadway, Manhattan, 10036
- Central Park Zoo – E 64th St, 10021
- Rockefeller Center – 45 Rockefeller Plaza, 10111
- The High Line – Gansevoort St, 10014
- Brooklyn Bridge – New York, 10038
Neighborhoods in New York City
Neighborhoods in New York City
- Greenwich Village – Lower Manhattan, 10012
- SoHo – Lower Manhattan, 10012
- Tribeca – Lower Manhattan, 10013
- Harlem – Upper Manhattan, 10027
- Williamsburg – Brooklyn, 11211
- Astoria – Queens, 11102
- DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) – Brooklyn, 11201
- Chelsea – Manhattan, 10011
- Upper East Side – Manhattan, 10128
- Park Slope – Brooklyn, 11215
As a gin pub located in the heart of Manhattan, The Winslow is perfectly situated to explore all that New York City has to offer. Whether you’re a local looking for a new spot to enjoy a drink or a visitor seeking to enjoy the best of the city, our bar provides a welcoming and sophisticated atmosphere.