Pass through New Regent Street in the evening and you’ll notice the warm glow of a singularly worded sign. It simply says ‘gin’. Inside you’ll find over 100 varieties, but that’s only the start of this local haunt’s story.

Just like New Regent Street itself, gin gin is a colourful environment all its own. Velvety gum drop shaped stools, swirly table tops, lush indoor plants, and the glittering bottles this place is named for, make it feel like you’ve stepped onto the set of Willy Wonker’s (GIN) Factory. The treats come in the form of colourful, handcrafted drinks and a menu that goes far beyond what you’d expect at a cocktail lounge.

gin gin is cool, plain and simple. But it’s also wholly welcoming, and even a bit whimsical. There are two bars – one upstairs, and one down. Pastels are prominent, and while you can come for ‘just one’, you’d probably rather stay all night. There’s outdoor seating, live music often, and a nighttime vibe that’s relaxed but fun.

The cocktails are the star at gin gin. Snag a seat at the bar, and you’ll get a glimpse of the care that goes into each one. ‘Baaad Lady’, for example, is made with White Sheep gin, Cointreau, lemon, grapefruit, and whites for a floral yet tart drop. This small batch fermented gin is made with the finest NZ sheep milk and is just one of the many delicious, out-of-the-box gins you can sample here. On the drinks list you’ll also find a variety of martinis, wines, beers, and other cocktails.

gin gin’s been around since 2018. After two years on Victoria Street, this is its second iteration. While gin gin has certainly grown up a bit, it’s still got the same unique heart and personality that earned its good name. The menu for one, is genuinely local. The team uses produce from Cultivate Christchurch, a social enterprise urban farm that’s just five minutes walk from gin gin’s door. The fish meanwhile, comes in whole, from Gravity Fishing – Southland’s modern pioneers of sustainable fishing.

Just like gin gin’s cocktails, each plate here can stand alone. The pizzas are hand stretched and topped with seasonal accoutrements like salted Wagyu, watercress, and pear. Plates like the cold smoked fish with radish salad, dashi, kaffir lime, and shallot are special all on their own. Again, pop in for ‘just one’ and leave feeling like you’ve had something special, or enjoy it all – the seasonal focus means there’s always something new to try here.

Put simply, gin gin’s the spot whether you’re keen for an after work bevvie, a boogie, a place to host your own party, seriously good food, a night on the town, or some combination thereof.