Following the wonderful response to its first event, Dryad Gin and Gurds Menswear are joining forces once again for the second Tailor’s Speakeasy, taking place at Gurds in Taunton on Saturday 5 December 2026, from 7.00pm to 9.30pm.
The first Speakeasy transformed the historic menswear shop into a 1920s-inspired drinking den for the launch of Dryad Gin’s Sea Centaur Martini Gin, bringing together martinis, menswear, storytelling and a little bit of mystery. This time, the evening is taking inspiration from the world of 007 and Skyfall, with guests invited to dress to impress and enjoy an evening celebrating cocktails, classic British style and the golden age of the Martini. And in true speakeasy tradition, simply having a ticket isn’t quite enough. Guests will receive a mysterious numerical code which they must decipher to discover the password for entry. Both the password and ticket will be needed at the door.
The first Tailor’s Speakeasy left a lasting impression on its guests, with some taking to Google afterwards to share their experiences. Local guide Pamela Scott wrote: “What a fabulous evening we had when Dryad Gin collaborated with Gurds of Taunton to create a gorgeous 1920’s style Tailor’s Speakeasy to launch Dryad’s ‘Sea Centaur Martini Gin’. Thank you all for such an unusual and super evening. 5th December is in my diary!” Fellow Google reviewer Joshua Newport described the event as: “A spectacular evening of entertainment and luxury” and said of his first Martini: “First martini I have ever tried and it went down a dream.”
For the second event, the organisers wanted to retain the intimacy and theatre of the original Speakeasy while creating a completely new experience. Every £30 ticket includes two specially created 007-themed cocktails, with Mr Martini once again in attendance.
One of the stars of the evening, however, will not be in a cocktail glass. Guests will have the opportunity to see – and potentially win a pair of Dents “Daniel” gloves, the style associated with the black leather gloves worn by Daniel Craig as James Bond in the 2012 film Skyfall.
British heritage glovemaker Dents was founded in 1777. The glove design was originally catalogued as style 5-1007 and subsequently became known as the “Daniel” glove. As part of the 12 Days of Christmas prize draw, they make a particularly fitting prize for an evening bringing together 007, Martinis and British menswear. Alongside the Dents gloves, prizes include a £140 pair of Meyer chinos, a £100 Alan Paine Aylesham fleece, a Failsworth hat or cap of choice, a Marcline jumper, a Gurteen shirt, a Double Two shirt, a £50 bottle of Dryad Gin, a tie from Atkinsons/P.L. Sells, an Ibex belt, an HJ Hall sock bundle and an L.A. Smith tie to name a few. Raffle tickets will be available to purchase separately on the night.
The 12 Days of Christmas raffle has another story behind it – All proceeds from the raffle will go towards the restoration of an original historic shop unit at Gurds, helping preserve a piece of traditional menswear retail history within the shop. Period catalogue imagery shows the type of beautiful wooden shop fittings once used to display shirts, ties and other gentlemen’s clothing. Restoring the surviving unit will allow another part of that history to remain within Gurds for future generations.
For Dryad Gin founder Becky Wright, the collaboration is about creating an experience that could only happen in a place such as Gurds. “The response to our first Speakeasy was wonderful. People didn’t just come along for a gin – they dressed up, drank Martinis, discovered the story of Sea Centaur and became part of the evening. We knew that if we held a second one, we didn’t want simply to repeat what we’d already done. The 007 theme gives us the chance to have some fun with the Martini, the clothes, the secret password and the wonderful setting at Gurds.”
Sarah Farnfield Gurds shop owner said: “I particularly love that the raffle is helping to restore an original shop fitting. This evening is about celebrating what makes independent businesses special – their stories, their history and the people behind them.”
The second Tailor’s Speakeasy continues an unusual collaboration between two Somerset independents, bringing together Gurds’ menswear heritage and Dryad Gin’s award-winning spirits and storytelling for an evening designed to be experienced rather than simply attended.
Event Information:
- The Tailor’s Speakeasy – 007 Inspired.
- Saturday 5 December 2026.
- 7.00pm–9.30pm.
- Gurds Menswear, Taunton.
- Tickets: £30 per person, including two 007-themed cocktails.
Tickets are advance purchase only and are available from Gurds Menswear and Taunton Tourist Information Centre. - 12 Days of Christmas Raffle tickets are available separately on the night. Guests will need to decipher the code to discover the password for entry.
- Dress to impress. Over 18s only.
(Photo credits: Aisling Magil).
