13 of the best cocktail bars in Edinburgh
From stylish speakeasies to Viking-themed venues, Edinburgh’s cocktail scene is as vibrant as ever
Edinburgh’s cocktail scene is firmly on the global map with the city’s best bars regularly making it into various top 50 and top 100 lists of those in the know. It’s not just hype. Panda & Sons, the original Edinburgh speakeasy-style cocktail bar, has secured a place on many a ‘best’ list since it opened in 2013, thanks to the team’s constant commitment to experimentation. The good news is that it’s just one of many venues you can explore.
Bramble is often credited with being the bar that kickstarted the scene, but Edinburgh’s bartenders aren’t resting on the laurels of reputation. Lucky Liquor, from the same folk as Bramble and Stockbridge’s The Last Word, has a deliberately tiny back-bar. This encourages a less-is-more attitude to mixology, resulting in some of Scotland’s best (and most consistent) cocktails. Meanwhile, low ceilings, low lighting and late nights are the order of the day at Uno Mas: it’s no surprise some of the city’s bartenders head here at the end of their shifts.
With the bar set high, even the city centre’s hotels have raised their game, with locations such as Joao's Place in the W Hotel and Commons Club in the Old Town’s Virgin Hotel both offering memorable settings and a serious approach to serving top-notch drinks.
Ultimately, the key to a thriving scene is its variety. Want to do a deep dive into the Negroni? Head to either Hey Palu, where co-owner Alex Palumbo brings a taste of the Amalfi Coast to the city centre, or to Bittersweet in Leith, where Italian brothers Fabrizio and Simone keep the drinks on track.
Looking for niche spirits? Folly Spirits Lab near Waverley Station has tasting flights of eau de vie (including their own house-made version from locally scrumped apples) and a saké list to boot. Or how about a bar reminiscent of Paris in the belle époque? At the West End, Encore’s sultry lighting and sumptuous fabrics will see you right. Prefer something simpler yet stylish? The Wildcat near Tollcross is the place to head.
Even the Viking theme of Old Town newcomer Sköll & Hati manages to bring a novel twist without being too ridiculous. Because, let’s face it, a great bar is where you’re discovering good drinks and a good time, whatever your vibe.
This TipList is taken from Eat & Drink 365, our sister mag recommending the best in restaurants, bars, cafés and more across Edinburgh. Want a copy? It’s available online or across all good stockists in Scotland’s capital; main picture: Jo Laidlaw.