Old Toms Gin Bar

Old Toms Gin Bar

Bar Verified Owner

Owner verified June 2026

3.80/5 (5)

Our Ginologists are experts in mixing, muddling, shaking and stirring. They’re Durham’s finest bartenders and they know botanicals like the back of their hand. Just like Michelin-star chefs create art on a plate with the best ingredients, our Ginologists understand flavour combinations.

Business Details

Opening Times

Closed now · Opens at 11:45am
  • Monday11:45-22:00
  • Tuesday11:45-22:00
  • Wednesday11:45-22:00
  • Thursday11:45-22:00
  • Friday11:45-01:00
  • Saturday11:45-01:00
  • Sunday11:45-22:00

Business Description

Old Toms Gin Bar is a Durham bar with a clear focus on gin, cocktails and a proper night-out atmosphere. If you are looking for somewhere to unwind with friends, discover a new favourite spirit, or simply enjoy a well-made drink in a welcoming setting, this is the kind of place that suits those plans. Based in Durham, Old Toms Gin Bar brings together the social feel you want from a Bar with a drink menu that encourages browsing and trying something different. Whether you are popping in for a relaxed evening or planning a catch-up around the bar, it is the sort of venue where conversations flow and the drinks do not disappoint.

About Old Toms Gin Bar

Old Toms Gin Bar is a bar located in Durham, created for people who enjoy the fun of going out and the pleasure of a thoughtfully served drink. The venue brings together gin-focused choices alongside classic cocktail favourites, making it easy for groups to agree on what they fancy without the evening feeling rushed.

As a Durham Gin Bar, it is the sort of local spot where regulars and first-timers can share the same experience: an inviting bar environment, a menu that supports both adventurous and familiar tastes, and staff who can help you find a drink that matches the mood you are after.

For anyone in Durham searching for a bar that feels more like an experience than a quick stop, Old Toms Gin Bar offers that sweet spot between relaxed and lively, making it ideal for evenings out, casual celebrations, and laid-back meet-ups.

Experience and a bar mindset for great evenings

Old Toms Gin Bar is built around the essentials of what makes a night out work: a friendly welcome, drinks served with care, and an atmosphere that helps you stay a while. The focus on gin and cocktails means the team can guide you through the menu rather than leaving you to guess what to order.

Because it is a specialist gin bar in Durham, the venue suits a range of drink preferences. If you already know the style you like, you can confidently pick from the options available. If you are less sure, the bar set-up and menu are designed to make experimenting feel easy, whether that is your first time with a particular gin or you are branching out into something new.

For groups, that practical bar mindset matters. A good evening is not just about having a drink in your hand, it is about keeping things smooth from the moment you arrive. Old Toms Gin Bar is set up for that kind of social flow, so the focus stays on enjoying the night in Durham.

Drinks, atmosphere and a spot for good company

At Old Toms Gin Bar, the experience centres on gin, cocktails and the enjoyment of choosing your next drink. The menu is geared to make it simple to move from a first round to something a little more interesting, without losing that relaxed bar feeling.

Beyond the drinks themselves, the venue matters. Old Toms Gin Bar is the kind of Durham bar where the atmosphere supports conversation, laughter and a proper catch-up. It is well suited to evenings when you want to switch off, enjoy a drink, and spend time with friends rather than rushing through the night.

From a casual after-work meet to a more planned night out, the bar offers a straightforward, satisfying way to spend your evening. If your group includes a mix of tastes, the focus on gin and cocktails helps make ordering feel manageable for everyone.

  • Gin-focused drinks and a cocktail-led bar menu
  • Relaxed yet lively evening atmosphere in Durham
  • Ideal for social get-togethers and catch-ups
  • Friendly guidance on what to order for your mood

Why people choose Old Toms Gin Bar

When you pick a bar in Durham, it usually comes down to how the place feels and whether the drinks are worth the trip. Old Toms Gin Bar stands out as a venue where the focus is clear. The gin and cocktail theme makes it easy to enjoy what the bar does best, and it gives visitors a reason to try it rather than settling for a generic night-out.

There is also something reassuring about choosing a dedicated gin bar. Even if you are not a regular gin drinker, the Durham setting and menu style encourage you to explore at your own pace. That makes it a good choice for dates, groups, and anyone planning an evening where people can find something they genuinely enjoy.

Above all, the venue is built for enjoyment. Old Toms Gin Bar makes the experience feel smooth from arrival to the final round, so your time in Durham is about good company and great drinks.

Supporting a welcoming, feel-good bar experience

Old Toms Gin Bar is committed to creating a welcoming place to spend an evening in Durham. The bar’s gin and cocktail focus helps set expectations, and the overall approach keeps things comfortable and easy so guests can relax and get on with enjoying their night.

Whether you know exactly what you want or you prefer to ask for recommendations, the venue aims to make that choice part of the fun. It is the kind of bar experience where trying something new does not feel intimidating, it feels like a good idea for the evening you are planning.

By keeping the experience centred on quality drinks and a sociable atmosphere, Old Toms Gin Bar helps visitors turn a simple meet-up into a memorable night out in Durham.

Plan your visit to Old Toms Gin Bar

If you are planning a night out in Durham and fancy a bar experience centred on gin and cocktails, Old Toms Gin Bar is a great place to start. Get in touch to find out more about the venue and what is available, and to make your plans for an evening in Durham feel straightforward.

To speak with the team at Old Toms Gin Bar, use the contact details available through the business website and make an enquiry about your visit to the Durham bar.

Gallery

Features & Amenities

Payment

Card Payments Contactless Cash Accepted

Facilities

Toilets Outdoor Seating Pet Friendly Family Friendly

Booking

Walk-ins Welcome
Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about Old Toms Gin Bar before you visit or get in touch.

6 answers
01 What makes Old Toms Gin Bar different from a standard pub night in Durham?
Old Toms Gin Bar is a dedicated gin-led bar experience in Durham, so the focus is firmly on gin and drinks culture rather than a typical pub set-up. It is designed for a relaxed, sociable evening, whether you are catching up with friends or unwinding after a busy day. If you want to try something a little more specific than a standard pub night, it is a good fit.
02 Do you have gin expertise for visitors who want to discover new gins?
Yes. Old Toms Gin Bar has a team of Ginologists who are described as experts in mixing, muddling, shaking and stirring, with strong knowledge of botanicals. That means visitors who want to discover new gins can enjoy a more guided, flavour-focused experience rather than just ordering off a general menu.
03 Can you help with gin drinks that involve mixing techniques like shaking or stirring?
Old Toms Gin Bar highlights that its Ginologists are skilled in mixing, muddling, shaking and stirring. This matters if you like the craft side of cocktails and gin-based drinks, because those techniques are often key to how flavours come through. When you are planning your night out in Durham, it is worth considering if you want a more considered drink.
04 Is Old Toms Gin Bar suitable for casual meet-ups in Durham?
The venue is set up for evenings that feel just right for catching up with friends in Durham, with a welcoming atmosphere. It is positioned as a comfortable spot to enjoy a thoughtfully chosen drink without feeling rushed. If you are looking for somewhere local and sociable for a casual meet-up, Old Toms Gin Bar is designed for that.
05 What kind of customers is Old Toms Gin Bar best for?
Old Toms Gin Bar is aimed at locals and visitors who enjoy quality drinks and want a gin-focused night out in Durham. It is a particularly good option if you want to try new gins, enjoy classic pours, or spend time in a venue that feels relaxed and friendly. If you are simply looking for a comfortable place to unwind with something specific, it matches that brief.
06 If I am visiting Durham, is it a good choice for trying something new?
Old Toms Gin Bar is described as being created for people who want to try something more specific than a standard pub night in Durham. It offers a dedicated gin-led bar experience that brings a relaxed, sociable feel to the city. If you are planning a Durham visit and want a night out centred on gin and drinks culture, it is built around that type of experience.

Reviews (5)

Average rating: 3.80/5

C
Christopher 2025.12.04

Old Toms Gin Bar is such an interesting and quirky bar with bags of character.
Thr lack of actual bar is the first oddity, and is matched by the weird and wonderful artefacts that adorn the walls and ceiling.
The beautiful old beams add to the appeal of this unusual bar.

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B
Billy 2025.11.22

Love the pub love the drinks I come everytime I’m out with either the wife or friends the atmosphere is always great and so are the staff, no complaints however the last couple times we’ve left earlier then usual we like to stay for a few rounds😃 The music has changed to country hillbilly music, which has been disappointing and I wasn’t the only one who noticed last night and previous occasions, we have always liked the variety they have in here, but it was very repetitive and not fitting for the bar personally, I would have expected all kind of music not just one, you could see no one really knew the songs also, were as in the past you always see people singing along. We spoke to a few people around us and they agreed to, hope it goes back to normal soon so we can come back, music is a big part of an experience in a pub unfortunately it’s making the experience less inviting and enjoyable, otherwise it’s been a great pub😀

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G
Gary 2025.10.19

Very nice quirky gin bar with selection of cocktails and draught beers, seating is limited inside but very cosy which adds to atmosphere of bar, staff very helpful and friendly, definitely worth a visit

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E
Eden 2025.10.10

Lovely place and atmosphere!
Drinks were beautiful and service was great.
The venue is really outstanding and unique definitely worth the visit. Drinks are reasonably priced and wide variety😀
Customer service was 10/10, Chlo made lovely drinks and fast too! She was very knowledgeable on the place, and took the time to talk to us. Among others she served and made everyone’s stay very personal and more interesting by giving them knowledge on drinks and the history watching from a far ! So that was a big bonus as you don’t get much of that in bars and pubs anymore!
Definitely will be back after todays experience 😊

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A
anand 2025.09.28

Visited for the first time on the 27th of September 2025 - was walking around and decided to speculatively try the venue. I love gin so I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to treat myself to a gin and tonic.

They have a wide range of gins on offer as well as a two for 14 cocktail menu, which is great for students

It was a Saturday night and it was relatively empty, but after entering the venue, there’s no greeting no hello no general welcome that invited you to order a drink

I had to ask all the questions about the ordering process payment process and then I had to take my own drinks to my table

The venue lacked any positive energy from the staff there’s no welcome no greeting and their body language showed that they really did not care to be there or care for their guests

Obviously, I won’t be going back and nor do I recommend the venue .

If you really want to attract customers, think about your body language your attitude and think about delighting them with Customer Service

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Business Details

Responsiveness

  • Occasionally responds

Opening Times

Closed now · Opens at 11:45am
  • Monday11:45-22:00
  • Tuesday11:45-22:00
  • Wednesday11:45-22:00
  • Thursday11:45-22:00
  • Friday11:45-01:00
  • Saturday11:45-01:00
  • Sunday11:45-22:00

Location Map

Trust & quality badges

  • Owner Verified

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