5 of the best bars in Edinburgh for a cocktail this weekend
Edinburgh has no shortage of places to get a good drink, but its cocktail scene has become one of the strongest in the country.
From discreet basement bars and elegant hotel lounges to lively city-centre favourites, the capital offers everything from perfectly made classics to ambitious drinks built around Scottish ingredients and inventive techniques.
If you are heading out in Edinburgh this weekend, these five cocktail bars are well worth putting on your list.
Panda and Sons
The family-run prohibition-style bar opened in November 2013 and it has since gone from strength to strength. A Speakeasy and a nod to the vintage-style barbershop, although themed, it is certainly not a venue of style over substance and the cocktails on offer are first-class, refined and intelligent. The current menu 'Transcend' is dedicated to freezing techniques.
Top 50 Cocktail BarsHey Palu
Serving modern Italian drinks in the heart of Edinburgh, Hey Palu on Bread Street is a quaint venue offering an all-round cocktail bar experience. All drinks are influenced by the beautiful Italian aperitivo style of drinking; think relaxing in a sunny Italian piazza whilst sipping on a Negroni and people watching. Amari, Bitters and Vermouths feature throughout the drinks list.
Top 50 Cocktail BarsNauticus
Although the bar does have a theme, it’s not a belt and braces tacky one, rather a subtle hint to the sea and the magic it beholds. Nauticus has a fine selection that showcase the width and breadth of Scotland’s drink making capabilities and the bar staff are an enchanting bunch who are more than willing to deliver the best service they can muster.
Top 50 Cocktail BarsThe Last Word
A place to enjoy a cocktail or a whisky and relax away from the bustle of Edinburgh’s city centre in Stockbridge, The Last Word was founded in 2012 by Jason Scott and Mike Aikman - the brains behind renowned Edinburgh cocktail bars Bramble and Lucky Liquor. Their deliciously creative drinks include their signature zesty and herbal Last Word - Beefeater gin/Chartreuse/maraschino/lime.
The Last WordDevil's Advocate
Tucked away on Advocate’s Close, The Devil’s Advocate is a rare secret sitting just off the city’s more well-trodden tourist paths. Inside, you’ll find hundreds of whiskies, innovative cocktails, and comforting seasonal Scottish dishes. Their award-winning bartenders have created a catalogue of inventive and delicious cocktails so everyone can raise a glass.
Devil's Advocate Edinburgh