On Friday night, businesses of George Street once again welcomed customers to their historic street for an evening of Gin & Jazz.

The annual social event kicked-off the party season in St Albans and saw residents, visitors and commuters, come together for a night of celebration and merriment under the stars. Drinks stalls lined the street offering a smorgasbord of gins and other delectable tipples, whilst live Jazz music filled the evening air.

Organised by St Albans City Centre BID and George Street Retail Association, the free event saw George Street hospitality venues and retailers, open their doors for late night shopping and host pop-up bars, each one offering something different to the evening crowds.

Local Hertfordshire distilleries were showcased on the night with George Street Canteen offering their Honey Gin made in collaboration with Puddingstone Distillery, contemporary jeweller Galio teamed up with Black Bridge Gin, Christopher Wharton Goldsmith hosted Spirit of Hertfordshire Gin, which included a range of Alban Gin’s which are inspired by the city’s Cathedral and Dwayne Edwards welcomed people into their kitchen showroom where they served Willow Tree Gin from neighbouring Bedfordshire.

It wasn’t just gin on the menu, Flower Box treated customers to flavoured Polish Vodka shots, Dylans at The Kings Arms poured pints of Victoria Málaga beer for punters and MUST Wine Bar offered a selection of wines and prosecco. There were plenty of places to grab a bite to eat too, including hot pizzas from Locanda Bagutta, a selection of kebabs and bites from The Loft and The Hub on Verulam served gourmet hot dogs alongside their drinks offering.

The event continues to grow year on year and welcomed new additions to the line-up this year. Tinkletorium opened their doors to their bathroom showroom and offered customers Hot Apple Gin, the team from Mambo Tattoo Studio handed out temporary tattoo stickers alongside their Mambo Punch and No Nuisance bar celebrated their first Gin & Jazz event with a selection of cocktails.

Alastair Burgess, Owner of No Nuisance, says: “This was our first Gin & Jazz event, we loved every minute of it. There was a fantastic crowd with an amazing atmosphere, the street was full and buzzing with activity. Everyone really enjoyed themselves and we loved meeting and being part of this great local community.”

As revellers sipped their drinks, they were entertained by the sounds of Jazz music provided by live musicians from Take 3 Jazz and New River Dixielanders.

Supporting local charities, Wagada Digital donated proceeds from sales of their Wagada Tower Gin to mental health charity Youth Talk and jewellers Christopher Wharton Goldsmith were raising donations for Headway Hertfordshire with a competition which saw one lucky winner take home a Lab Grown Certificated Diamond worth over £2000.

More prizes were up for grabs, with event sponsors Sofas & Stuff offering visitors to their showroom a chance to win a chair and a £100 St Albans Gift Card. They also hosted an exhibition from artist Dawn Elliot and a fun photo opportunity in their window.

Vivien Cannon, BID Manager at St Albans City Centre BID, says: “What a lovely evening enjoyed by many.  Working alongside the George Street business community we came together and delivered this fantastic event celebrating and supporting independent retail and hospitality. A huge thank you to our sponsors Sofas & Stuff, Wagada Digital and KP Waste.”

Discover what else is on in St Albans at www.enjoystalbans.com