I was there on 30 October 2025 with a few travel friends, and it turned out to be one of the best…read moresurprises of our trip. The minute we found the door off the little lane on Rose Street, there was an air of mystery... exactly what you hope for from a "detective agency" style speakeasy. Once inside, the vibe was perfect for a chilly Edinburgh evening. Like, moody lighting, vintage-style furnishings, and that cozy, clandestine feel that makes you glad you made the effort to find it. The service was absolutely welcoming. The bartenders were friendly and attentive, and even at 9p, mid week (when you might expect things to be winding down), the place was comfortably busy but not packed, but full enough to feel alive. Drinks menus came in little "confidential" envelopes, which instantly added to the fun. We ordered several cocktails that evening, and every drink was carefully crafted and flavorful, smooth and topped off with warm hospitality. I honestly did not have one bad cocktail. If I were to highlight a few things from our night - I came away loving the atmosphere, the attention to detail, and the general ease at which we were treated which is exactly what I wanted out of a night out in Edinburgh. If you're visiting Newcastle, upon, Tyne, Edinburgh, or just wandering through Rose Street and looking for something a little different... don't walk past this place. Bryant & Mack Private Detectives is a fun little secret with classic cocktails, cozy speakeasy vibes, and service that makes you feel like part of the case, lol. It's a fully immersive experience.

Awesome speakeasy in New Town…read more It really is on the hidden side, it took me a few minutes longer than I thought it would to find the door (look at the posted pictures, it helps). Once inside (you'll have to knock to get in), you'll find a cool little lounge with great cocktails, chill music, and amiable bartenders. We were surprisingly the only ones in there around 9 pm on a Friday night, which we thought was odd (as did the bartenders), but it meant we got to hang out with them and shoot the shit (meeting bartenders from all over the world is one of my favorite hobbies). Besides the fact that both were into motorcycles (and one came to Edinburgh once and immediately backed up his bags and moved over from Italy - props), we found out that they could make a mean cocktail. We, of course, started on menu, but wanted to see if they could do any variations, which they not only did, but nailed: "do you like bitter or sweet" - bitter "Floral or not so much" - surprise me "base?" - gin Dunno what it was called, but it was one of the nicest gin drinks I had in a town that is crazy for gin at the moment. I highly recommend this place if you're looking for a good cocktail place, the ambiance is on point and the drinks are superb.

Walking in to The Devil's Advocate in Advocate Close, just above Market St, the large bar greets…read moreyou. We chose the Scottish Road trip whiskey flight. As someone who truly loved little about Scotch, it was a wonderful way to taste and compare smoky vs peaty whiskeys. Fun. Our table was upstairs and we sat next to an open door which allows for fresh cool air. It was a warm day in Edinburgh. Our server was wonderful, patient and really helpful. Our choices were truly delicious. We started with the fish board, olives, and mushroom skewer. We loved them all. I enjoyed the cod main dish, while my wife finished the starters. The side of asparagus was also excellent. The mouse dessert was delicious but very rich, it's enough for 4 people. The cost of dinner was also totally reasonable. I recommend this place highly.

After seeing the high reviews on Yelp, I decided to make a reservation for this restaurant. We…read moretrekked up the steps of Advocate's Close to get there. When we arrived at noon (opening time), the restaurant wasn't too busy. There is an impressive bar downstairs with many whiskies. We were led upstairs to the dining area. There is outdoor dining too that would be nice if the weather was warmer. Cool vibe, but it is kind of dark inside the stone walls. The menu is Scottish-focused with seasonal ingredients. We didn't want to overeat, so we decided to share a starter and a main. We got the Scottish venison fritters, which were ok. We enjoyed the pappardelle pasta (roast pumpkin and pecorino sauce, wild mushrooms, spinach, bacon and poppy seed crumb, crispy sage). It was flavorful and didn't feel too heavy. Staff were friendly and it was an enjoyable lunch.

Excellent cocktails - a must try bar for wonderful service and drinks. Super fun and unique menu…read morewith very fresh ingredients. Come here on a date, with some friends or even solo - you'll definitely have great conversation.

If you blink, you might miss The Bramble--but you'd be making a huge mistake. Tucked away down a…read morenondescript staircase off Queen Street, this speakeasy-style cocktail bar is exactly the kind of spot you hope to stumble into in Edinburgh. My family and I came here on a whim and ended up getting far more than great drinks. One of the bartenders, a local with the friendliness of a lifelong pub regular and the insight of a Michelin concierge offered up genuinely helpful food recommendations. He had a perfect mix of laid back charm, genuine enthusiasm, and a sharp wit. That kind of service is rare, and it stuck with us. Now, the drinks. Phenomenal. Not just "good for Scotland" or "pretty decent for a bar that doesn't scream look at me" these cocktails were creative, expertly made, and well presented. You can tell these folks care about their craft. Each drink was layered and complex without being fussy. If you're into spirits, this is your place. Yes, the bathrooms are a bit of a squeeze. Definitely built for function, not luxury, but they were absolutely spotless. Like, hospital-pristine. Whoever maintains them deserves a raise and maybe a trophy. Bottom line: Bramble nails it. Great atmosphere, unforgettable drinks, and service that actually makes you feel like you're in the right place at the right time. Skip the tourist traps and find your way down those stairs.

We had to stop by the No. 5 Cocktail bar in the UK featuring handcrafted modern classic cocktails!…read moreKnown for their Negronis and shenanigans, they are also starting off this week's Edinburgh Bar Show with the award winning Satans Whiskers! Make sure to order a Paper Plane! They give you a piece of paper to make your own paper plane to fly at the rows of bottles, and if you are lucky enough to hit one you get a free shot of the bottle hit! Pro tip aim for the top row! They were completely full when we walked in but they quickly found us a table! We had excellent and attentive service! White Strawberry Negroni Paper Plane Penicillin Negroni Flight

What an amazing place! Loved the vibe, the drinks, and the music! We made dinner out of the limited…read morefood menu. YUM! Everything is so brilliantly thought out and curated. Visit at once. Cheers!

It's 530PM and this bar is packed. We were very early for a tour so we decided to have our drink…read moreand wait in this lively establishment. Unfortunately, there was nowhere to sit! Luckily, a group left the bar stools and barrel table next to the bar and we were able to sit for a bit and do some people watching. The veterinarian school vibe was interesting and I liked all the weird artifacts "left behind" from the school. Each room to sit in had it's own personality and vibe. Very cool. The bartenders were quick and efficient and shockingly nice. In a place like this, I expect a bit of abruptness but here it was all care and concern. They make a mean gin and tonic too. It was delicious. It may have been one of the best G&T's I've ever had as a matter of fact. I only wish the gin they used in it was sold in the States. Yum yum!!!

Off the beaten path you'll find this fun eccentric pub. Each room with its own unique personality…read more This bar takes you to a different world. A world where you can loud and proud fly your freak flag high. As mentioned The Royal Dick isn't near the hustle and bustle of Old Town. It gives off a punky locals hangout kinda vibe. Absolutely worth the trek to get there.

Wow - nearly 100 different types of vodka including straight, flavored, and direct from Poland…read more Dinner menu that includes appetizers, main dishes, and desserts. Got "haggis balls". Had great fish and chips. Up a flight of stairs and not really advertised.... Well worth it. Only about 7-8 tables and a few bar seats though.

We came late on a weeknight and it was mostly empty. Bar is located above the restaurant…read more There were many different types of flavored vodka here, mostly from Poland. I opted for the blackcurrant and elderflower flavored vodkas. The blackcurrant was very good and the different flavors are just very unique. Definitely worth trying it out! 5 shots for 14 pounds. Decent deal.

No wonder Panda & Sons is rated one of the top 50 bars in the world. It definitely lived up to the…read morehype. We enjoyed several cocktails along with some light bites. Great vibes, creative cocktails, and excellent service. Definitely worth a visit while in Edinburgh!

To be fair 3 stars isn't a real reflection of the actual experience. A "speakeasy"? We tried to get…read morein but first of all it was hot and stuffy (heatwave in Edinburgh) even though it was like in the basement. Secondly there were a bunch of little tables inside, almost like a restaurant instead of a bar. We can't speak to the service since they couldn't seat us.

We ended up at Southpour by happy accident, after the place we were planning on eating down the…read morestreet could not accommodate us due to a large party. It worked out though! The decor and vibe was beautiful, the drinks were good, and the food was outstanding. We tried the Aubergine Schnitzel, Fried Burrata, and Sourdough appetizer and all of it was delicious. I would definitely go back if lucky enough to return to Edinburgh.

We have been quite a few times to Southpour, but were quite disappointed this time. The atmosphere…read morewas still fine, the issue was the brunch. The menu is much less exciting than it used to be, the amount quite small for the price and the execution relatively poor. We hope that it recovers, but, otherwise, we'll give it a miss.

Walked in here by chance in search of some food and although I was feeling a bit under-dressed for…read moreit (it has a classy vibe), the server quickly seated me at a wee table tucked between the door and a wall. Maybe he thought I was a bit under-dressed too! :) These pub-bistro combos are becoming more common these days, as the "traditional" pub declines in favour, and they've clearly made a big effort here to make it look upscale and welcoming, with the food area at the front and the bar a bit farther back. It feels surprisingly light and airy at the front and has something of the vibe of a hotel lobby for some reason (but not in a bad way). I didn't have a lot of time and my first choice of the salmon was "off", so I quickly switched to the old pub standard fish and chips with mushy peas. Wow - what a huge piece of fish! I was actually surprised to discover the chips underneath it, as it almost completely covered them. Jolly nice it was too. OK, I could have gone to the nearest chippy and had almost the same meal for half the price, but it wouldn't have been anywhere near as good as this one. Excellent grub.

Henrick's was one of the best meals I had during my stay in Scotland. I had the salmon appetizer…read moreand fish and chips as my main course. Both were delicious! Best fish and chips I've had in a while. I also ordered the Sauvignon Blanc and it was good. The ambiance was nice and service was friendly.

Our second time here while visiting Edinburgh and the drinks are always great. The waitress…read moreremembered us from our visit months before. The vibes are great.

I wish I could give this place a 10/10. The pie was phenomenal I will definitely be going back to…read moreget Another before I leave. We ended up getting 2 chicken keels, a beef & ale, and a curry cauliflower, all of which were to die for. This place is right out of the touristy area which was perfect because they were able to give us the best service and our waiter was super helpful. I got the Irn Burns drink which was very strong and very good. It supposed to be a chilli vodka and I hate hot spicy but it was more of a ginger spice 10/10!! They also have a free comedy show (pay what you want) which was hilarious and very interactive with all the guests. It was very small, probably fits around 15 people so make sure you're ready around 9:30 when they call for the show!