Regarded as one of the city’s best kept secrets, the 24 cover gin specialist in the Jewellery Quarter beat off competition from several London locations, including Dukes Hotel in Mayfair, as well as bars in Leeds and Glasgow.

Hosted by Gin Magazine, nominations for The Icons of Gin Awards came exclusively from the drinks industry, and the winners were voted for by fellow spirits professionals. The award was presented to the 40 St Paul’s owner, Aman Johal, at the Honourable Artillery Company in central London on Thursday 15th February. It is the bar’s second national award win in the last four months.

In October last year, the bar received the prestigious accolade of Best Gin List in the country by leading industry publication, Imbibe Magazine, thanks to its extensive collection of 140 gins and gin-based cocktails.

On being named as Bar of the Year, owner Aman Johal said: “It is always an honour to win any award, local or national – but when the nominations and votes come from people who live and breathe gin, it really adds that extra credibility to the prize.

“There were some amazing and even famous bars in our category. Our team works incredibly hard every day to deliver the best quality gins in some of the most imaginative ways possible, and this award is recognition for the drinks they serve and the stories they tell every day.”