- Gin palace
A gin palace is an English name originally for a lavish bar selling
gin , later transferred by association to late Victorianpub s designed in a similar style.In the 18th century, gin shops or 'dram shops' were just small shops (often originally chemist's shops as gin originally had medicinal associations) that sold gin mostly to take away, or to drink standing up. As the legislation changed establishments generally became larger; they also had to be licensed and sell
ale orwine . In the late 1820s the first 'Gin Palaces' were built, Thompson and Fearon's inHolborn and Weller's inOld Street ,London . They were based on the new fashionable shops being built at the time, fitted out at great expense and lit bygas light s. They were thought to be vulgar at the time, although hugely popular.Charles Dickens described them as "perfectly dazzling when contrasted with the darkness and dirt we have just left…" in his "Sketches by Boz ".The design hugely influenced all aspects of the design of later Victorian pubs, even after gin had declined in importance as a drink; the bar in pubs is based on the shop counter of the gin palace, designed for swift service and ideal for attaching
beer pump s; the ornate mirrors and etched glass of the late 19th century. The term has survived for any pub in the late 19th century style; as this was the peak of pub building in Britain the style has become associated with the pub, even though none of the original gin palaces survive.Well preserved examples of the late 19th century style include the Princess Louise in Holborn and the Philharmonic Dining Rooms in
Liverpool .Pleasure boats
In the 20th century, the term "gin palace" came to be used for large ostentatious
pleasure craft , such as a motor yacht orluxury yacht , typically moored in amarina and fitted with a sun deck used for outdoor entertaining and leisure, normally involving alcoholic drinks [http://www.pensions-management.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/2234/Is_a_gin_palace_ideal_for_Sipping_.html] [http://www.thisisbournemouth.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1161823.0.yachts_going_on.php?s=s] .Warships
Because of her luxurious fittings, the 1913 battleship HMS "Agincourt" was referred to as the "Gin Palace" in the
Royal Navy .External links
* [http://www.victorianlondon.org/entertainment/ginpalaces.htm Public Houses — Gin Palaces]
References
* "Licensed to Sell: The History and Heritage of the Public House", Geoff Brandwood, Andrew Davison, Michael Slaughter. ISBN 1-85074-906-X.
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