The Best Places To Drink In Edinburgh
BARS
Gleneagles Townhouse
When Gleneagles Townhouse took over the old Royal Bank of Scotland on St Andrew Square, it turned the main banking hall into the Spence. The result is magnificent: guarded by towering granite columns, an art-deco island bar is crowned by a palm. Naturally lit from above through the day, as darkness takes over it becomes an atmospheric spot for a signature cocktail like the Engineer (gin, yuzu sake, crème de cacao, Cocchi Americano, lemon). On top of the Townhouse, Lamplighters is a rooftop bar for members and hotel guests – it’s the place to be come summer.
Visit GLENEAGLES.COM
White Horse
An 18th-century pub that has become an oyster and seafood bar, the White Horse might be our favourite spot on the Royal Mile. The old place still has its atmosphere, but it’s also now got a kitchen with a thoroughly modern commitment to the provenance of its ingredients. Try for seats at the bar and order the outstanding, oyster shell-infused Rockpool Martini.
Visit WHITEHORSEOYSTERBAR.CO.UK
Bramble
This is another New Town basement worth ducking into. It has a vintage speakeasy feel, though the name plaque outside makes it easier to locate than some. An inventive cocktail list might feature the Starlit (bergamot vodka, orgeat, lemon, almond bitters) or the Golden Road (rum, amaro, falernum, pineapple).
Visit BRAMBLEBAR.CO.UK
Hey Palu
Italian aperitivo culture is the inspiration behind Hey Palu, but this Old Town bar isn’t only for the pre-dinner golden hour. As well as turning out classic negronis and a refreshing rhubarb americano, it has the city’s best selection of amaro liqueurs, which come into their own later in the evening. Cocktails to look out for include a Nutella old fashioned. A sister bar in Leith, Chancho Agaveria, majors in tequila and mezcal.
Visit HEYPALU.COM
Never Really Here Liquor Lounge
Tucked behind Princes Street, this is a bar that takes its speakeasy stylings seriously. The door’s always locked, so you’ll have to knock for entry. Once you’re inside, it’s cash only. But it’s worth playing along because the cocktails are excellent – elegant takes on classics like the martini, the manhattan and the old fashioned.
Follow @NEVERREALLYHERELIQUORLOUNGE
The Last Word
A sister to Bramble and Lucky Liquor Co, The Last Word is a cosy, low-lit bar in Stockbridge that’s dotted with vintage items. Signature cocktails run from the aromatic King Lear (vodka, smoky cherry, Lillet Blanc, tiki bitters) to the sweet and fruity Lionel Richie (rum, yoghurt wash, bramble, pineapple & lime sherbet, hibiscus, soda).
Visit LASTWORDSALOON.COM
Lucky Liquor Co
The good people behind Bramble have a second place in New Town worth knowing about. Lucky Liquor Co has a more modern feel and an appealing drinks list. The Dirty Chai (whisky, chai vermouth, amaretto) puts a twist on a classic short drink, while the Basil Gimlet (gin, basil, lime, celery bitters) is a fresh take on the old sailors’ favourite.
Visit LUCKYLIQUORCO.COM
Panda & Sons
Don’t be put off by the kitsch stylings of this speakeasy-style bar in New Town. It masquerades as a barber shop at street level, but step inside and you’ll find talented bar staff turning out cocktails good enough to make Panda & Sons a World’s 50 Best regular. The full scope of the menu needs more words than we have here – just know that the team aren’t shy of deploying a centrifuge or ‘ultrasonic infusion’ in their pursuit of the perfect drink.
Visit PANDAANDSONS.COM
Nightcap
This city-centre bar was only supposed to open for an Edinburgh Fringe festival a few years ago, but it’s become a late-night fixture. A globetrotting drinks list stays close to home with cocktails like the Lost in Leith (whisky, barley, Scottish soda syrup) before setting its sight further afield – the Ikigai (gin, yuzu, sesame, matcha, miso, mint) is a taste of Japan.
Visit NIGHTCAPBAR.CO.UK
Spry
At the city-centre end of Leith Walk, Spry is in a handsome Georgian house. Owners Matt and Marzena have a coffee shop and bakery in the basement, but it’s the ground-floor you need if you want their wine bar and bottle shop. The focus is on natural and organic wines – there’s a rotating selection of ten offered by the glass – and good food to go with them. Look out for a lobster toastie made with their own bread.
Visit SPRYWINES.CO.UK
Devil’s Advocate
On one of the narrow alleys that run down off the Royal Mile, there’s an old Victorian pump house that has become one of Edinburgh’s favourite bars. There’s an emphasis on Scotch whisky at Devil’s Advocate – it’s got hundreds of different bottles – but it’s the house cocktails that tend to draw our attention. Head in to try a Pepper Pisco Party of pisco, sloe gin, vermouth, absinthe and bitters.
Visit DEVILSADVOCATEEDINBURGH.CO.UK
Nauticus
With big windows, multiple spaces and a prominent central bar in its large main space, Nauticus has the trappings of a pub. But it calls itself a bar – and rightly so. The creatives behind Panda & Sons have come up with a cocktail list that’s worth jumping on a tram to Leith for. It puts Scottish liquor to the fore but goes way beyond the usual single malts.
Visit NAUTICUSBAR.CO.UK
PUBS
The Oxford Bar
This is the favourite pub of Edinburgh’s favourite fictional detective. We’ve always imagined that author Ian Rankin chose it for John Rebus because it is a wonderfully archetypal boozer. Locals tend to dive left into the lively saloon bar, but larger groups should bear right into the lounge space to find a table.
Follow @OXFORDBAR
The Sheep Heid
Out in the pretty village suburb of Duddingston, The Sheep Heid is a charming old pub with an ace up its sleeve. Hidden out the back, it has a traditional two-lane skittle alley. Book ahead if you’re serious about getting a game on or try your luck on the day – if you can’t get a lane, there’s always the garden to while away a couple of hours in.
Visit THESHEEPHEIDEDINBURGH.CO.UK
Bow Bar
Tucked at the base of the castle, Bow Bar is a classic Edinburgh pub. No music, no TV, just memorabilia-filled walls, beer on tap and a lot of single malts on the shelves. The window seats are the best in the house, offering a view of the world going by.
Visit THEBOWBAR.CO.UK
COFFEE SHOPS
Lowdown
It’s easy to miss this small basement spot on busy George Street. It’s worth seeking out for its almost clinical approach to brewing high-end coffee. All the contemporary styles are offered and the coffee changes regularly, showcasing great roasters from across Europe. A soup of the day, keeping warm in the corner, brings a homely feel.
Visit LOWDOWN.COFFEE
Triple-Tri
Edinburgh has a lively coffee scene and Triple-Tri is one of the headline acts. This small coffee chop brings a neighbourhood feel to the city centre. Its beans are roasted in town and the team turn out a great americano, but there are elevated seasonal drinks offered too – and the sandwich game is strong.
Visit TRIPLETRICOFFEE.COM
The Milkman
This is the place to know if you’re arriving on the sleeper train. In an old confectionery store close to Waverley station, it fires up the machine from 8am each morning. Just know that the cakes and pastries lining its counter can be hard to pass on.
Visit THEMILKMAN.COFFEE
Fortitude Coffee
Fortitude has three branches around town: Stockbridge, Newington and Abbey Hill. Each one offers an array of single origin coffees from floral and fragrant Colombian beans to more chocolatey options from Tanzania. Friendly staff can help find the one for you.
Visit FORTITUDECOFFEE.COM
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