8 great bars in Edinburgh city centre
From historic pubs and whisky bars to stylish cocktail spots and castle-view rooftops, the capital has a bar for every mood
The Abbotsford
3–5 Rose Street
One of Edinburgh’s best-preserved Edwardian interiors, the hefty mahogany island bar commands the space here. Offering a good spread of ales and lagers on cask and keg from across the UK, it’s a decent escape for a pint in the busiest part of town.
The Bow Bar
80 West Bow
Hip joints come and go, but The Bow Bar endures. You’ll find nothing trend-led here: just a well-kept cellar, a huge array of whiskies and some Jarvis Pickle pies (unless the ‘nae pies left’ sign is showing). It’s a place you’ll want to linger.
The Burrow
19 Blackfriars Street
A decent Negroni for twelve quid only a stone’s throw from the Royal Mile makes The Burrow worth one drink. The rest of its well-considered cocktail menu, the art deco styling and bluesy soundtrack make it worth a second. The intimate atmosphere makes it feel like a fantastic secret.
Cold Town House
4 Grassmarket
Pub views don’t come better than this. Perched high above Grassmarket, Cold Town House’s roof terrace offers cocktails, their own icy cold beer, hot pizza and loaded fries, with views of the castle. Incredibly popular when the sun shines (and a new retractable roof for when it doesn’t), this is one to book ahead.
Edinburgh Gin Distillery Bar
Arch 16, The Arches, East Market Street
You don’t expect a slick, bright bar (with a rooftop in summer) to be on the doorstep when you stumble out the back of Waverley; but Edinburgh Gin Distillery’s bar is exactly that. There’s a strong cocktail list but it’s all about the Martini here: have it made to your own spec or try one of their many serves.
Lady Libertine
25 West Register Street
Lady Lib pulls off the near-impossible feat of being a place for every occasion without ever being bland or boring. Thank three things: warm, confident service from a hip team; excellent Levantine-themed food (think barbecued aubergine and spiced ox cheeks); and a banging cocktail list.
Also try… Le Bistrot in the French Institute for a slice of Paris on the corner of George IV Bridge and High Street, perfect for a cheeky glass of French wine; or the atmospheric Devil’s Advocate, down a close off the Royal Mile, for 300 whiskies, cocktails and an outdoor terrace.
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.