Princess Louise

For a taste of how Londoners fortified their nerves while Jack the Ripper was on the loose, visit this ‘drop-dead gorgeous’ Grade II-listed gin palace. Once the hoi-polloi’s poison of choice, gin has again replaced vodka as smart London’s current alcoholic obsession – although you won’t guess it from the selection on offer here. Instead, Samuel Smith’s economical draught beers, lagers & cider are the tipples of choice to go with some run-of-the-mill pub grub (if it’s needed). Louise’s decor is the real selling point here – a sumptuous mix of cut-glass & gilt mirrors, elaborate plasterwork, exquisite tiling & fine polished wood snugs (ripped out decades ago, but now replaced). Elsewhere in WC1, a £10 note will get you a Sipsmith martini: here, it buys four pints & some architectural eye candy.