East London Liquor Company - The Lab

You're in Walthamstow, walking into what feels like a working factory space rather than a polished bar—because it is. The Lab is where East London Liquor Company actually distils their gin, vodka and other spirits, so you're essentially standing amongst the copper stills and fermentation tanks while sipping drinks that were literally made metres away. There's something brilliant about that transparency; you can see exactly what goes into your glass. The space itself is deliberately unglamorous—industrial, a bit rough around the edges—which somehow makes it feel more genuine than the glossy cocktail bars that dominate the city. It's the kind of place where the product matters far more than the Instagram backdrop.