15 of the best · Edinburgh, Scotland
Whisky Bars, Cocktail Bars and Historic Pubs in Edinburgh
Panda & Sons and Bramble below Queen Street, the Devil’s Advocate in its close, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Leith, and the Victorian bars of Cafe Royal, the Abbotsford and the Guildford Arms.
Our 15 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Edinburgh
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Insiders' picks
Three we return to, chosen by people who know Edinburgh’s closes, crescents and quaysides.
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Below Queen Street
Bramble
A basement cocktail bar on Queen Street, open late, walk-ins only.
16a Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JEExplore View on map
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The full list: Bars, A–Z
Show 14 of 15 places on a map
Cocktail bars 5
The city’s craft bars.
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Below Queen Street
Bramble
A basement cocktail bar on Queen Street, open late, walk-ins only.
16a Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JEExplore View on map
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West Port
Dragonfly
Cocktails on West Port, by the Grassmarket; in its own words, the city’s oldest cocktail bar.
52 West Port, Edinburgh EH1 2LDExplore View on map
Whisky 3
Malts and single casks.
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Victoria Street
The Bow Bar
A real ale and whisky bar on Victoria Street.
Victoria Street, Edinburgh EH1 2HHExplore View on map
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Advocate’s Close
The Devil’s Advocate
Rare whisky and seasonal food in one of the Old Town’s closes, off the Royal Mile.
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Members’ rooms in Leith
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society: The Vaults
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s whisky bar and members’ rooms in The Vaults, Leith.
Historic pubs 5
Victorian and Edwardian bars.
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Late-night bar and diner
Paradise Palms
A late-night bar and diner on Lothian Street: tropical cocktails, vegan and vegetarian food and DJs.
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Malt whisky and rugby
Teuchters
Freehouses for food, malt whisky and Scottish beer: Teuchters Bar & Bunker in the West End and Teuchters Landing in Leith.
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Edwardian island bar
The Abbotsford
An Edwardian pub on Rose Street with an island bar of Spanish mahogany.
Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PRExplore View on map
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The Stewarts since 1896
The Guildford Arms
A Victorian bar off Princes Street, run by the Stewart family since 1896.
West Register Street, Edinburgh EH2 2AAExplore View on map
Bars with rooms 2
Drink, dine, stay.
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St Andrew Square
Lady Libertine
A multi-level bar and restaurant near George Street, with cocktails and DJs.
