Days Out NI
Distillery Newtownabbey

Belfast Artisan Gin School

Distil, bottle and label your own gin from 80+ botanicals on a 3-hour experience.

1 photo
Check hoursBy booking; check available dates and tim…
TicketedBook ahead
NewtownabbeyDistillery
Get directionsOfficial website
3 hoursHow long
18+ tastingsBest for
TicketedEntry
NearbyParking
IndoorsSetting

Belfast Artisan Gin School — Distil, bottle and label your own gin from 80+ botanicals on a 3-hour experience.

  • Getting in: Booked experience only; reserve a place in advance through the gin school's website.
  • Tours: Guided 3-hour gin-making experience, hosted, not a self-guided tour.
  • Opening: By booking; check available dates and times when you reserve.
  • Age limits: Strictly over 18 — you distil and taste your own gin.
  • Food: Inside the Crown and Shamrock Inn pub; G&Ts and a cocktail are included in the experience.
  • Parking: At the Crown and Shamrock Inn; confirm when you book.
Plan your visit

Make a bottle that is genuinely yours

You work at your own gin station with a mini copper still and a recipe card. With over 80 botanicals on the bench, you blend a flavour that is yours alone, then distil and bottle it. Jo and Fiona walk you through each step, so no prior knowledge is needed. You leave with a full-sized bottle you made and labelled yourself.

Over-18 only 3-hour experience Distil your own gin 80+ botanicals Tastings & cocktail included Take a bottle home
Good to know before you go:

Gin schools like this run private bookings, hen and birthday groups, and seasonal experiences through the year, and gift vouchers make popular presents. Dates and special sessions change, so book ahead and check what is on before you travel.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🪪Photo IDTastings are 18+ — bring ID if you look under 25.
  • 🚗A plan to get homeA designated driver or lift, so everyone can enjoy the tasting.
  • 👟Comfy shoesWorking distilleries have stairs and hard floors on the tour.
  • 💷A few poundsFor the shop and a bottle to take home.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Getting in
Booked experience only; reserve a place in advance through the gin school's website
Opening
By booking; check available dates and times when you reserve
Tours
Guided 3-hour gin-making experience, hosted, not a self-guided tour
Age limits
Strictly over 18 — you distil and taste your own gin
Food
Inside the Crown and Shamrock Inn pub; G&Ts and a cocktail are included in the experience
Family-friendly
No — an adults-only, over-18 experience
Parking
At the Crown and Shamrock Inn; confirm when you book
Accessibility
Check directly before you go
How long to allow
About 3 hours
Address
Crown and Shamrock Inn, 584 Antrim Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 4RF
Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?
Booked experience only; reserve a place in advance through the gin school's website
What tours are there?
Guided 3-hour gin-making experience, hosted, not a self-guided tour
What are the opening times?
By booking; check available dates and times when you reserve
Is there an age limit?
Strictly over 18 — you distil and taste your own gin
Is there food or a bar?
Inside the Crown and Shamrock Inn pub; G&Ts and a cocktail are included in the experience
Getting there

Belfast Artisan Gin School is at Crown and Shamrock Inn, 584 Antrim Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 4RF. At the Crown and Shamrock Inn; confirm when you book. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out in NewtownabbeySee what else is close by More distilleries across NIWhiskey, gin and craft spirits
The story

About the Gin School

Belfast Artisan Distillery was set up in Newtownabbey's Mallusk Enterprise Park in 2017. The Gin School grew out of it as a hands-on offshoot, letting visitors make their own gin rather than just buy the distillery's bottles.

The school launched in August 2021, run by Jo Davison and Fiona McAlinden, and is based in the Crown and Shamrock Inn — a traditional pub that has been in the same family for around 90 years. In 2021 the local mayor publicly toasted the borough's own gin school, marking its early success.