Edinburgh’s bar scene blends Scottish tradition with international flair. From hidden cocktail labs to classy whisky joints, these are the best cocktail bars in Edinburgh and what to order when you visit.
1. Panda & Sons
Vibe: Hidden, inventive, speakeasy with flair
Signature Drink: Banana Bread Old Fashioned or something from the “Transcend” menu
Behind a barbershop entrance, you’ll find one of Edinburgh’s most innovative cocktail bars. With creative themes and drinks that use modernist techniques, Panda & Sons is as playful as it is precise.
2. The Devil’s Advocate
Vibe: Rustic, industrial, whisky-centric
Signature Drink: Smoked Plum Boulevardier or a rare single malt
Housed in a former pump house near the Royal Mile, this candlelit venue is famed for its whisky expertise and beautifully balanced cocktails.
3. Hey Palu
Vibe: Italian aperitivo bar with a retro twist
Signature Drink: Hey Palu Negroni (bottled) or Coconut Americano
Stylish and intimate, Hey Palu channels 1950s Italy through its design and vermouth-led drinks list. Ideal for early evening sipping or date night.
4. Bramble
Vibe: Low-lit, intimate, one of the UK’s best-kept secrets
Signature Drink: Penicillin or rotating bartender’s choice
Tucked underground with moody lighting and a hip-hop soundtrack, Bramble is a pioneer of the modern speakeasy — a favourite of those in the know.
5. The Lucky Liquor Co.
Vibe: Loud, fun, ever-changing
Signature Drink: One of 13 rotating seasonal creations
Run by the team behind Bramble, Lucky Liquor is bold, bright and constantly reinventing its menu using only 13 core ingredients. Expect creativity in every glass.
