The Best Bars in Edinburgh
With coronavirus restrictions in Scotland moving to level 00 this week, we thought it was time to celebrate our beloved Scottish cousins in the only way we know how – by drinking copious amounts of alcohol, of course.
I was on a mini break in Edinburgh over the weekend and whilst I was expecting the beautiful landscapes, the medieval architecture, and the abundance of deep-fried Mars bars, what I wasn’t expecting is the sheer amount of amazing places to drink. Chic cocktail bars, rustic pubs, sleek wine bars… Edinburgh has packed an impressive amount of drinking into one small city.
With more people than ever exploring previously underrated parts of the United Kingdom due to the difficulty travelling abroad this year, I thought it was time to take you through the best places I frequented over the weekend. Hopefully, I can inspire you to take a staycation in one of the most beautiful places our country has to offer.
1. Devils Advocate, Old Town
Where: 9 Advocates Close, Edinburgh EH1 1ND
What makes it so great: straight off the LNER from London King’s Cross, my friends and I made a beeline for the Old Town. We’d heard that it was *the* place to visit if you wanted a good time in Edinburgh, and after being trapped for four and a half hours on a train next to a stag do that wouldn’t shut up about what their mate Billy did last weekend in Tiger Tiger, we were all in serious need of a drink.
Luckily, after wending our way down a narrow-cobbled passage called Advocates Close, we stumbled upon Devils Advocate. We were taken in by its dark, foreboding décor and it’s promise of smoky, silky cocktails – we were not disappointed. My friends ordered Whisky Sours and French 49s to start, and I went for one of their own cocktail creations, an ‘Afterglow’ which they describe on their website as a long, spicy, and fresh cocktail that has BOTH absinthe and whisky. It’s a dangerous drink, so I went ahead and ordering two more afterwards. All the cocktails we had were delicious, well-presented, and an incredible price considering how much alcohol they packed into each one.
(Credit: @devilsadvocate)
2. Whiski Rooms, Princes Street
Where: 4-7 North Bank Street, Edinburgh EH1 2LP
What makes it so great: whilst in Edinburgh, my friends and I were unashamed tourists. We were doing all the touristy things, from climbing Arthur’s Seat to going to Holyrood Palace. As unashamed tourists, something else we felt obligated to do was try some proper, traditional Scottish whiskies. Whiski Rooms is *the* place to do that.
This place has over three hundred different types of whisky, from the Highlands to Dumfries, and even from places like the USA and Japan. The people serving us really knew their stuff and they took us through everything they had on offer, making suggestions that we would actually like rather than just pushing the most expensive options on us. We got multiple flights (meaning a selection of three tasking whiskies) and by the time we left, we could barely walk straight. If that’s not a good recommendation, I don’t know what is.
3. Valvona and Crolla, Princes Street
Where: Jenners, 48 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2AF
What makes it so great: My friend is a massive fan of Alexander McCall Smith, and she booked this place because Smith purported it to be the best Italian deli in all of Edinburgh. It was one of the first places we went to in Edinburgh after we’d dropped our stuff off at the hotel and drunk our weight in cocktails at Devils Advocate. You’d think that we would’ve been too trashed to appreciate the fine dining atmosphere and rustic Mediterranean delicatessen at Valvona and Crolla… but you would be wrong.
The deli was awe-inspiring, and if you make your way to the back of the space you happen upon a small restaurant serving some of the best Italian food I had ever eaten in my life! The real headliner though was their wine list, which was as extensive and expansive as you would expect it to be. We shared a couple of bottles of the Tuscan Chianti which was super yummy… if you like wine and great Italian food, this is the place to go.
4. Panda and Sons, Queen Street
Where: 79 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 4NF
What makes it so great: One night, what we were really after was some late-night cocktail in a cosy, secluded bar. We were exhausted after a day of sight-seeing, and we were in the kind of mood where we knew that all we needed was a couple of cocktails before we’d be dancing on the tables and stumbling into our hotel at 3am having had a great night. Enter, Panda and Sons.
Panda and Sons is one of Edinburgh’s worst kept secrets. A speakeasy-style watering hole with a vintage barbershop interior, Panda and Sons was voted one of the top 100 Best Bars in the World in 2018 and was shortlisted for the prestigious European Bars to Visit list in 2019. Their menu comes in chapters and features some of the most curiously inventive cocktails I’ve ever come across, including the Paolo Appletini (a mix of Olive Oil Washed Grey Goose, Clarified Apple, Avallen Calvados, Umeshu, and a twist of lemon), Oaxacan Dad (combining Jasmine Infused Rosé Wine, Del Maguey Vida, Disaronno, and a splash of pineapple), and the Buzzing Paloma (featuring Cold Brew Cordial, Don Julio Blanco, and the lip-smacking Salted Pink Grapefruit Soda). Everything was delicious and I wish there were one near my house.
(Credit: @pandaandsons)
5. The Bon Vivant, Thistle Street
Where: 51-55 Thistle Street, Edinburgh EH2 1DY
What makes it so great: Last but not least is the Bon Vivant on Edinburgh’s Thistle Street. This was one of the last places my friends and I went to before getting back on the train (luckily the LNER was not full of overenthusiastic stag dos second time round) and it was a perfect way to say goodbye to Edinburgh, one of the best city breaks I’ve ever had.
The Bon Vivant is a curious mix of the traditionally European and the typically Scottish. It is really a mishmash of all types of cuisine, and all types of drinks too. We didn’t eat there but we didn’t feel like we were missing out – there was more than enough to keep us occupied. Wine is what they do best, and we were not disappointed by the selection they had on offer. With some stunning half-bottles of Rose available, an incredible champagne list that kept us wanting more, and a delicious little cocktail known as the Gimlet (a mix of No. 3 Gin, Lime Husk Oleo Saccharum, and Lime Acid), the Bon Vivant kept us entertained for hours and ended up being one of our favourite places to drink in Edinburgh.
Well, there you have it! I was sad to leave Edinburgh and, after reading this list, I’m sure you can see why. I will definitely be going back there again sometime, and I would urge you to too – maybe I’ll see you in the Devils Advocate *wink wink*.
Words by Rebecca Clayton