Abode Café Bar              
229 Leith Walk
A relaxed little neighbourhood bar with an enticing wine list and local beers on tap including Barneys and Campervan Brewery. Pop in for a coffee, a glass of wine, or a sharing platter of Mellis’ cheese and East Coast Cured charcuterie. It’s a wee pub with a big heart.

The Joker and The Thief
71 Elm Row
A laid-back pub with a superb range of Scottish beers on tap. Obscure films play silently on the TVs, a creative change from live sport. There's a quiz and intriguingly, a Thursday night magic show. Pizzas are available from nearby Origano (see page XX) to enjoy with your pint. Bar staff are friendly and helpful, and unionised, which we can all drink to. 

Leith Depot
138-142 Leith Walk
Proudly pouring local beers and mixing excellent cocktails, Leith Depot is also a properly community minded pub. There’s an attached grassroots music venue giving local and touring bands a welcoming stage next door. Enjoy hearty pub food with stacked burgers and ‘filthy’ chips. Kids are welcome ‘til 9pm. 

The Mother Superior
96-98 Leith Walk
A cracking wee pub with a really good selection of beers including local favourites Campervan, Newbarns and Pilot, with alcohol-free Jump Ship from East Lothian on tap too. The cocktail list punches way above most pubs, and the choice of whiskies is vast. Live music and quiz nights happen weekly and the staff are great. 

Spry
1 Haddington Place
The calm minimal interior of Spry sets the scene for a relaxing visit, where the focus is on natural and organic wines by the glass. Pull up a stool at the bar or find a candle-lit table; there’s a little snug at the back too. The elegant small plates on offer can be built into a five-course tasting menu if you’d like to make an evening of it, with matching wines available.

Victoria 
265 Leith Walk
A cosy living room of a pub, everyone is welcome at Victoria. It’s a chilled space to catch up with friends for a quiet pint or cocktail, and gets livelier at the twice-monthly DJ nights. It’s Swedish owned and offers a range of Scandi spirits alongside local beers and gins, and there’s a Swedish sweet shop too. 

Also try... studenty The Brass Monkey, a quiet pint and loaded fries at Jeremiah’s Taproom or a drink in the sunshine on a good day at Joseph Pearce. 

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: Spry / Siobhan Nevada