#TBT: Horse Trailer Turned Into a Mobile Gin Bar

And we’ll take six, please. This might be the most adorable and clever up-cycling of an old horse trailer we’ve ever seen.

We’ve discovered the one thing that every horse show, equestrian event, horse-themed wedding or general barn get-together needs to make the day complete: introducing the Gin Tin, the former horse trailer-turned-mobile gin bar.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Shanks/Tom Powell/Gin Tin Events

The father-daughter team of John and Anna Shanks and family friend Chloe Davies of London needed just eight weeks to literally build their new start-up: they took an old Rice Beaufort two-horse box (purchased used from an ad on Horse and Hound) and made some modifications — at their most basic a new paint job and most complex the installation of countertops and shelving. One liquor license later, the Gin Tin was ready to roll, serving up gin cocktails and other drinks at events and gatherings.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Shanks/Tom Powell/Gin Tin Events

Interested clients can hire the Gin Tin in one of three ways: a dry hire, where the client provides the alcohol and the Gin Tin provides the bar and staff; a conventional cash bar with beer, wine and spirits; or the bespoke menu, in which clients work with the Gin Tin crew to create their own signature cocktails. As the motto states, “let the fun be-gin.”

Photo courtesy of Sarah Shanks/Tom Powell/Gin Tin Events

The Gin Tin has been on the road since June, and has already visited plenty of events, including the Longines Global Champions Tour stop in London where it serviced the after-party. We can think of plenty of other lower-profile horse shows that the Gin Tin should attend next (like, you know, the schooling show I’m hosting in my backyard next weekend.)

Despite the modifications, the Gin Tin is still light enough to be towed easily: “We currently use a car to tow the horse box, but one day we hope to upgrade to a large van as we have a lot of equipment and stock to carry – more than you can imagine!” states Gin Tin mastermind Anna Shanks.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Shanks/Tom Powell/Gin Tin Events

The Gin Tin joins an illustrious group of rolling bars and food trucks that were originally horse trailers — check out our collection of “10 Horse Trailers Gone Food-Trucktacular” to see other examples. While this little blue bar is currently limited to UK operations, Shanks states, “we’ve had a good response from the US so I think we need to franchise!”

We’ll be ready for you when you do, Anna, John and Chloe! Until then, stay fabulous. Learn more about the Gin Tin online including a great blog, or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Go Gin Tin! And go riding!

Photo courtesy of Sarah Shanks/Tom Powell/Gin Tin Events