Best Bars drinks in Edinburgh
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From the classic Cafe Royal and The Scotch Whisky Experience Tour and Tasting, to lesser-known spots worth adding to your trip.
★ 4.4 · 3,786 reviews
Discover Cafe Royal, a grand Victorian pub just off the city centre, famed for its tiled walls and stained glass. Order real ales, a dram or fresh oysters beneath its soaring ceiling.
★ 4.7 · 6,815 reviews
Discover the Scotch Whisky Experience, an audiovisual introduction to Scotland's national spirit. Follow the journey from cask to glass, view the huge bottle collection, and taste whisky guided by regional aromas.
★ 4.6 · 2,783 reviews
Discover The Bow Bar, a compact, no-frills pub devoted to cask beer and single malt whisky. Let the bartenders guide you through a dram or a pint, with a hot pie on the side.
★ 4.8 · 3,205 reviews
Discover the Johnnie Walker Signature Experience, a polished whisky journey built around your own tastes. Take the flavour quiz, watch the story unfold through projections and live performance, and sample three drinks matched to your profile.
★ 4.4 · 2,504 reviews
Settle into Baba, a warm, rustic-chic spot where Mediterranean plates meet the charcoal grill. Share roasted garlic and grilled dishes with a cocktail in a handsome historic building.
★ 4.5 · 2,781 reviews
Step into The Scran and Scallie, an Edinburgh gastropub where pub comfort meets Modern Scottish cooking. Dig into a hearty steak pie or scallops, then browse the whisky list in a warm, rustic-chic room.
★ 4.6 · 945 reviews
Book a table at Timberyard, the converted warehouse where local Scottish produce meets inventive cooking. Settle into its warm, industrial-chic dining room for a multi-course lunch or dinner with bar drinks on the side.
★ 4.4 · 5,321 reviews
Discover The Devil's Advocate, a brick-lined pub tucked into Advocate's Close with over 300 whiskies. Pair a dram or craft cocktail with a hearty burger or steak in a cosy, energetic room.
★ 4.8 · 2,343 reviews
Discover The Cocktail Geeks, a funky Edinburgh bar built around immersive pop-culture themes. Step into a fully dressed world and sample inventive cocktails served by costumed staff.
★ 4.6 · 2,718 reviews
Discover Panda & Sons, a dark, speakeasy-style bar tucked into Edinburgh's drinking scene. Settle in with an inventive cocktail chosen with help from the friendly bartenders, then linger over a few more rounds.
★ 4.5 · 4,468 reviews
Step into The Guildford Arms, a lively Victorian pub where etched glass and ornate cornicing set the scene. Taste a real ale at the bar, then climb to the upstairs gallery for a Scottish meal.
★ 4.5 · 5,068 reviews
Discover Stramash, a restored church in Edinburgh turned into a lively two-level live music venue. Settle in with a drink and enjoy folk, rock or covers from the stage until the early hours.
★ 4.5 · 1,504 reviews
Discover Sandy Bell's, a small, friendly pub where Scottish folk music fills the room most nights. Pull up a seat with a real ale or a single malt and enjoy the informal sessions alongside the locals.
★ 4.7 · 119 reviews
Discover 1820 Rooftop Bar & Restaurant, a design-led perch above Princes Street with sweeping Edinburgh views. Sample cocktails, small plates and a long list of whiskies while the city spreads out below.
★ 4.4 · 3,512 reviews
Discover Cold Town House, a lively spot in Edinburgh's Grassmarket with a rooftop terrace overlooking the Old Town. Share a creative pizza and a craft beer or cocktail among the historic rooftops.
★ 4.7 · 1,056 reviews
Discover Bramble, a low-lit underground cocktail bar widely rated among Edinburgh's best. Settle in for expertly mixed classics and house creations, with a whisky list to match.
★ 4.5 · 153 reviews
Step into Montrose for an Edinburgh evening that blends dinner and cocktails. Share plates with a date, order from the drinks list, and linger well into the night.
★ 4.4 · 3,688 reviews
Discover the Sheep Heid Inn, a centuries-old pub in Duddingston with a traditional skittle alley. Enjoy Scottish pub fare and a pint of real ale in a warm, characterful setting after a walk.
★ 4.6 · 1,091 reviews
Discover Holyrood Distillery, where Edinburgh's brewing roots meet modern gin and whisky making. Start with a cocktail, walk through the gin laboratory and production areas, then taste samples in the cask room.
★ 3.8 · 1,458 reviews
Discover CC Blooms, the buzzing two-level gay club at the centre of Edinburgh's gayborhood. Order a cocktail at one of the bars, hit the dancefloor, and catch a cabaret night if one is on.
★ 4.9 · 1,113 reviews
Discover Hey Palu, a relaxed cocktail bar built around Italian liqueurs and digestifs. Pull up to the bar, ask for a recommendation and sample classic and modern drinks.
★ 4.5 · 873 reviews
Discover Dragonfly, a chandelier-lit, plant-filled cocktail lounge inspired by the 1920s. Let the bartenders craft a bespoke drink to your taste before the evening music picks up.
★ 4.5 · 1,012 reviews
Settle into The Ox, a bright, welcoming gastropub where dogs are welcome and the craft beer flows. Order mussels, oysters or steak and finish with the sticky toffee pudding.
★ 4.5 · 934 reviews
Discover Edinburgh's Old Town after dark on The Original Pub Crawl, a guided night built for meeting fellow travellers. Hop between seven venues with your party guide, sipping included shots and a starter bomb while enjoying discounts and covered entry.
★ 4.4 · 2,481 reviews
Discover Paradise Palms, a playful plant-based hangout combining a bar, kitchen and record store under one roof. Order creative cocktails and vegetarian Mexican plates while soaking up the easygoing, music-loving atmosphere.
★ 4.1 · 219 reviews
Discover The Mash House, a three-level Edinburgh venue mixing a loft-style bar with a club room and basement gigs. Start upstairs with a drink, then head down for live music or a DJ set.
★ 4.4 · 905 reviews
Discover The Cumberland Bar, an old-school gastropub with real ales and a relaxed beer garden. Settle in for a proper Sunday roast or a quiet pint in an easygoing local setting.
★ 4.2 · 459 reviews
Discover Cafe Calton, a welcoming spot with panoramic views across Edinburgh's skyline. Enjoy fresh, nicely presented dishes and coffee while taking in the city from your table.
★ 4.7 · 118 reviews
Discover The Caley Bar, a chic Victorian hotel bar inspired by the Caledonian Railway. Sip a carefully made cocktail in a polished, relaxed setting with attentive service and evening music.
★ 4.8 · 601 reviews
Discover Nauticus, a ship-inspired pub in Leith with dark panelling and glittering chandeliers. Pick a dram or a craft cocktail and settle into the cosy, convivial atmosphere.
Edinburgh · 🍸 Drinks
Cafe Royal
1h30
The Scotch Whisky Experience Tour and Tasting
The Bow Bar
The Johnnie Walker Signature Experience
Edinburgh · 🍽️ Food
Baba
1h15
The Scran and Scallie
TIMBERYARD
2h30
The Devil's Advocate
The Cocktail Geeks
Panda & Sons
The Guildford Arms
Edinburgh · 🌙 Nightlife
Stramash
Sandy Bell's
1820 Rooftop Bar & Restaurant Edinburgh
Cold Town House
Bramble
Montrose
Sheep Heid Inn Edinburgh
Holyrood Distillery Whisky & Gin Tour
CC Blooms
Hey Palu
Dragonfly
The Ox
The Original Pub Crawl 7 Bars 7 Shots & Discounts
4h
Paradise Palms
The Mash House
3h
The Cumberland Bar
Cafe Calton
45 min
The Caley Bar
Nauticus
