Darwin’s Gin Parlour
Magdalen Road, Exeter
An eclectic mix of the wonderous discoveries of Charles Robert Darwin, and his theories behind nature, geology, biology and the evolution of the world. Combined with the discovery and evolution of some of the best gins the world has produced to date.
At Darwin’s Gin Parlour, we want to create an exploration experience where we are always adapting, adjusting, modifying and improving our offering, techniques and most importantly of all, giving our customers a reason to come back.
This is not just a Gin Bar, this is a Gin Parlour, an experience, where we want our staff, and the guests to be continuously learning and making new discoveries.
About us
Conceived as a complementary addition to Magdalen Road, we wanted to create something that offered our locals and travelling guests an experience they would not forget. Like any evolution, Darwin’s has come a long way from the first spark of life, but we hope you will find something special in each and every corner of our wonderous Gin Parlour.
Nowadays everyone is a G&T expert, but we really are striving to ensure our staff are just as knowledgeable as the wonderful people that produce each Gin that we stock, and we hope your knowledge and senses are just as developed after spending an evening with us.
Why Darwin?
Charles Darwin was renowned for his work as an English Naturalist, Geologist and Biologist. He travelled the world and is the man behind the theory of Evolution! And Evolution is something that we want to continuously bring to our Gin Parlour – By researching, learning and developing what we do every day, so we can offer the best experience to the wonderful people of St Leonards.
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that is most adaptable to change” – Charles Robert Darwin
FAQs
Where are you located?
Situated in the popular and thriving area of St. Leonards, Exeter on Magdalen Road.
What do you offer?
A great selection of local artisan gins and gins from around the world. The gin chosen charts the journey of the Beagle with distinctive and subtle influences from the regions visited from the cocoa found in the Brazilian Amázzoni Gin, the Yerbe Mate infused los Apostoles gin from Argentina, or the subtle fragrant coastal botanicals of the Australian coastline found in Manly Gin. Although the Beagle didn’t make the mainland area of Asia the flavours in Tarsier Gin are redolent of the Cocos Islands with Thai sweet basil and galangal, creating herbal flavour notes with a tang of spice. The delicate floral notes of the Fynbos in South Africa have inspired the award winning Inverroche Gin, leading back ‘home’ to the samphire infused gin of Falmouth!!
The selection charts a unique and distinct journey for the palate which we hope you’ll experiment with and enjoy!!!What facilities do you have?
We have three main areas, the bar at the entrance with window seating, the main upper mezzanine offering relaxed seating and comfortable lighting, and the outside space set on the pedestrianised area of Magdalen Road, to relax and enjoy the street vibe. Opening soon will be the community lounge set in a small but inviting conservatory set at the back of the building, which will be available to book for meetings, get togethers and drinks!
Coming soon…
The Secret Society
We’ll shortly be opening our secret society where you can join our gin club where gins from around the world can be purchased from our exclusive world atlas of gins! Each bottle will be labelled with the guest’s name, and kept at the venue, so you can settle in with your favourite tipple any time you choose!
Gin Exploration Event
We hope to hold our first of many gin exploration events, held by ambassadors in the Gin industry (ask our staff for more details) Indulge your sense with this masterclass in Gin, botanicals, garnishes and paired tonics. Includes full tasting session and your choice of G&T at the end of the event | £30pp
G & Tea
Every Sunday 12:00pm – 3:00pm Ask Staff about our Afternoon Tea which includes freshly made sandwiches, desserts and scones with Cornish cream and jam plus and complimentary Gin & Tonic of your choice.
£25pp (min 2 people)
Contact us
29 Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX2 4TA
We’re a ten minute walk from Exeter High Street, located in the boutique street scene of Magdalen Road.
Make an enquiry
Opening Hours
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 5pm – 11pm
Wednesday: 5pm – 11pm
Thursday: 5pm – 11pm
Friday: 3pm – 11pm
Saturday: 3pm – 11pm
Sustainability
A sustainable and ethical approach is at the core of how we aim to work at Darwin’s Bar, it’s not just about replacing plastic straws (although that’s good!) but a core approach that is woven into the fabric of what we do, it’s in our DNA and part of our own brand of natural selection in deciding who we chose to collaborate with; working with local innovators and suppliers that share a combined vision to provide a brilliant product that also has a positive impact on the community with a commitment to reduce the impact on the environment.
This approach is reflected in some of the gins we have to offer such as the Land of Saints gin from Cornwall, which has partnered with Fauna & Flora International, and Brighton Gin which is registered with the Vegan Society, meaning everything from the ingredients to the bottle’s label is animal free!
Our tonics are freshly infused on site by our London Essence dispenser, reducing the need for bottles, minimising waste and transportation; helping to reduce our carbon footprint.
Our collaborators powder keg brewery based just a stone’s throw away have a firm commitment to sustainable production and their ‘free-thinking’ craft beer offers the perfect marriage of taste and integrity.
Part of the profits go towards funding education of Budongo Forest Staff
http://www.budongo.org/