A fine establishment bedecked with Chesterfields aplenty, resplendent with old timey bric-a-brac like typewriters and broken radios. Chesterfields aside, the bar's main selling point is its micro brew and wide selection of craft beer. With no less that 15 guests on at any give time, you're guaranteed to find something to your tastes. The kitchen promply produces pretty palatable food. I had their "dog of the day" and thoroughly enjoyed the gargantuan hotdog I was given. Definitely my first port of call when I find myself on Lothian Road. read more

This place came recommended by a local. We were excited to try something off the touristy area. They have a great beer selection, and they had my new favorite, Gin Mare and Fever Tree Tonic. Problem is their food menu. We ordered the pulled pork sandwich and the mac & cheese, along with chicken wings. Everything was devoid of flavor. Neither one of us finished our food. It was really disappointing. We decided to finish our drinks and head elsewhere. read more

The Hanging Bat Beer Cafe - Breweries Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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I came here for a friend's birthday and expected to find myself in a dark gothic chamber with old furntiture and book cases with fake bats hanging from the walls but was pleasantly surprised and refreshed by the warm, comfortable, light surroundings and relaxed atmosphere. I am not really a beer person but for the occassion and being in a beer cafe decided to go for one. But ah! There were so many to choose from so I asked the bar tender to surprise me and he did well - so well that I went back and asked to try something different - maybe I could become a beer fan afteral and he also gave me the background to it as well - wow! On a more recent visit, I knew I had enjoyed one of those previously but couldn't exactly remember it's name so gave the bar man the number from the board. But after my screwd up face quickly told me this was not it I discovered the board changes regularly. Wow, that's quite impressive! The Hanging Bat also provides a simple but satisfying menu of BBQ food, hot dogs and yummy interesting snacks to keep those tummy rumbles at bay. I'm not really a hot dog fan but as with the beer, decided to go for it - loaded with beetroot salad and cheese - this was good and satisfied my belly pretty well. Although it is a beer cafe and I did drink beer, you don't have to - there are a variety of wines, spirits and soft drinks available if you are not persuaded by the list or staff. In addition, I like the beer taps in the toilets - yup - and the staff are friendly, happy fountains of beer! read more

Lots of chat about the Hanging Bat on yelp and I was intrigued but my first visit was for Yelp Edinburgh's 2nd Birthday. This is definitely a 'boy' pub. For all the single ladies looking for a ring on it, then this would be a place to start the hunt, especially a weeknight after work when all the professional boys are out for a beer. Its a beer place, make no mistake about it - loads of different types. 1/3 & 2/3 pints and the opportunity to try before you buy (no gf beer though). Good range of gins though :-) The food menu is probably man friendly too - lots of things in buns so no good for that January Atkins diet. However, order something in bread and you are missing out BIG time on the sandwich box of pulled pork! OMG - awesome home made tangy, spicy, BBQ sauce (gf too!) and tons of shredded piggy :) I had this with a side of roasted butternut squash and shallots - I had been veggie deficient last week so this was perfect and about £8 for more of a dinner than a snack. Its well worth a visit - toilets are cool and the downstairs space is great if there is a group of you. read more

Have had a few visits here over the past couple months and some good nights. It's a big place with plenty of seating, but still gets busy most nights so get there early to grab a table. Beer: Beers is obviously the focus of the place and they have a great selection. Usually around 20 on cask/keg which are served in either 1/3 or 2/3 pints which is good for trying a few (especially as some a pretty strong). Food: It's a fairly small menu. Hotdogs and pulled pork various 'proper' pub snacks are the focus. Over my various visits I've tried a few things.... I'm not a big fan of hotdogs on the whole but these are pretty good and decent value at under a fiver. The pulled pork is smoked onsite and was the first thing I went for. It's not like the usual pulled pork you get in a lot of places. Really juicy and masses of smokey flavour. Goes really well if you pick the right beer to go with it. One of my vices which is very much deprived these days is pork scratchings, so when I heard that the hanging bat does their own I was more than a little excited! for £2 you get a decent size tub. They do unfortunately seem to have gone downhill a lot since I first went, they're very spicy now and a bit too hard for my liking. This could just be my taste though. The main reason I didn't give a higher star rating was down to a recent (attempted) visit. A group of us had planned to have lunch and arrived at 12.10 (The opening time on here is 11, but I've heard 12.00 elsewhere). We were told they were running late and asked to come back in 30min. We were happy to wait inside with a drink, but not so much outside in the rain. I'm afraid we won't be back again for lunch at least. read more

Thai was a great decision for a quick bite. The cheese sticks were exceptionally good. Great selection of drinks and the bar staff was very helpful. read more

The Hanging Bat Beer Cafe - Breweries Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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I stopped in here recently with my son for a drink and dinner. I chose it because of Yelp reviews. I asked the bartender for a stout and she served me a Fierce. It was superb! I live in the US, most stouts there are served way too cold. This was perfect! Very rich and chocolatey, with a 4.5% ABV so I could have several, though I did not. I had their beer mac and cheese for my dinner. It was very tasty and hearty, with good, sharp cheddar cheese. My son had their barbecue ribs which, IMO, were only ok. I live near a couple of very good barbecue restaurants, and these ribs just did not compare-not very much smoke flavour and covered with a too sweet sauce. I would definitely go back there again for more beer and their mac and cheese. read more

4.5/5 - great food, great beers and gins! We were in Edinburgh at the Corn Exchange for the Scottish Tattoo Convention and had nipped out to get some pre-tattoo sustenance. The Hanging Bat popped up with good reviews so off we headed. Some 20 minutes later (I'll spare you the story of trying to find it*) we wandered in to find a quirky space over three levels that, thankfully, had plenty of seating. Once we located a menu, it's very much bar service so don't expect someone to wander over and offer you one, we all soon started salivating. They have several gourmet hot dogs on offer, a good range of burgers and other meaty delights, but weirdly no chips! What is this nonsense!! My eye was drawn to the specials and the meatloaf burger with pulled pork, AKA The Man of Steel, caught my eye and I ordered a side of BBQ beans (with chorizo and beef flank, because... chorizo), Kirsty ordered The Alsatian - a dog with sauerkraut and mustard - and Clare chose The American Pit Bull - a chilli and cheese dog, - and both lovely ladies had a side of Mac-n-cheese. The bar does a good range of craft beers, including brewing their own, and apparently sell 44 types of gin! Alas I was driving, but this is very much an artisan kinda place, Fentimans lemonade and Scintilla Diet Cola (Scintilla is a brand name of Samuel Smith Brewery in Tadcaster, don't ya know!), rounded out our order. The food arrived promptly and was great. The pulled pork had a nice smokiness to it without being overpowering, and the meatloaf burger was soft and juicy and delicious! The BBQ beans didn't really do it for me, far too tomatoey and I couldn't make out the chorizo or beef flank either, but the burger was plenty to fill me up. The Alsatian was tasty if a little overwhelmed by the sauerkraut, but the dog itself was a good, and I presume the American Pit Bull was good as it disappeared in short order! (Clare was getting tattooed later so we are putting that down to pre-tattoo nerves!). All in all a good meal, well above 'pub grub' standards. Downsides for me included the service, they were very friendly when approached but there was no indication it was 'order at bar' and I had to prompt them for menus, and the lack of chips! In all seriousness, whilst the burger was good, I could've done with another texture and, usually, chips provides that. The mac-n-cheese was ok, but the only other carbohydrate side was sweet potato mash which I didn't really fancy. If I was in the area I would definitely be checking this place out to try their amazing range of beers and I'd happily be back for the food. * In short, one way systems are the work of the devil. read more

I really like the Hanging Bat. Its a proper beer pub without being 'old man style'. Despite not being a big beer drinker I love that you can try 1/3 pints of different lagers and beers (or smaller amounts) to see what kinds of beer you like. The staff are very friendly and really knowledgeable about the beers. There is also a big selection of bottled beer and fruit beers too. The best thing is that when you dont fancy any more beer they have a huge selection of spirits, namely gin and are happy to recommend many options to taste. Plus the food is great, Hot dogs (the proper kind), pulled pork (love!), mac and cheese and great salad and sides too. A proper good boozer! read more

Earlier this week I'd arranged to meet a couple of friends at the HB. A couple of days later I got this text from one of said friends "Maybe we should meet somewhere different, just walked by and it looks less than salubrious." After looking up "salubrious" to ascertain her meaning, I responded "Humour me, we'll go for one and if it sucks, we can go anywhere of your choice after." Based on my 5 stars it is needless to say, it didn't suck and it was where we stayed for the evening. Everyone who met us said some variation of "wow this place is great, I wish Lothian Road had more bars like this!" The size - it's larger than it appears and seems to attract a definite after work crowd. When we arrived at 5:30 it was packed, and by the time we left about 3 hours later it was still busy but less crowded. The food - ridiculously good value. £4.50 gets you a gigantic hot dog in a really tasty warm baguette-ey bun. Despite the crowds, it came quickly too. The beer - something for everyone on the incredibly extensive beer menu. Good selection of spirits too - they have Edinburgh elderflower gin which I've not seen in a bar before. The staff - really friendly and knowledgeable. The beer I wanted was off for the night and when I asked about a different one not only was I given a taste of the beer I'd asked about, I was given a taste of a different beer that the bartender recommended I may like, based on my original order. AND he gave me a glass of water to cleanse my palate between tastes. Score. Finally - the measures - I'm sold on 2/3 pints, seriously. First of all, we drank our 2/3s probably a bit slower than we would normally. This was easier done based on the quality and richness of what we were drinking. Each round (of 3) was less than £10 (most beers were £2.50 or £3), and while our brains thought we'd had 3 pints our livers thanked us for actually having only two. So, 2/3 measures are good for the wallet and good for the liver. Not bad for a Friday night. All in all, a great new addition to Lothian Road. I would definitely be keen to return at a bit of a quieter time and sample some more of the liquid and culinary delights. read more

I like beer and am always looking for places to get a good selection, both when I'm travelling and when I'm at home. I had heard of the Hanging Bat but only went because a couple of friends had decided to go before a show. The Hanging Bat has 14 draught lines, 6 casks, and a lot of bottles. They're of note because they do nothing in full pints, which I'm ok with because I'd much prefer to have 2/3 pints and justify trying more types of beers. On the date I went (27/08/15), they mostly seemed to have beers from Partizan on draught but that is something that likely changes. It was actually nice to get to see such a large range from one place. Sadly, I didn't get a chance to try everything I wanted, but I did have a cherry vanilla stout. Anywhere with that sort of beer gets bonus points with me. The actual layout is nice. It's over two floors with the actual bar on the ground floor and some additional seating in an area below it. Even with a large group we were able to find a place to sit (first crammed in, but then a larger table opened up). The staff was friendly and helpful when I got beer. Once again, I wish I just had more time to try more beers. If it was closer to me, it would be one of my regulars. Instead it'll just have to be a treat for me when in Edinburgh. read more

Perhaps more of a 3.5 than a 4 out of 5. Great bar staff with a really vast knowledge of the drinks in stock. I can't comment on the beer, but the gin, oh the gin. They must have about 50 different bottles from around the world, all with their own individual story, all actually reasonable in price, and all talk-through-able by your very patient, and very expert barman. Do not read this if you're dieting: They do food, very good food. Food like hot dogs covered with haggis, pulled pork nachos, meatloaf burgers. Aghhhhllmmmmm. The interior itself is a bit meh - maybe a little dark / standard for the really amazing selection of food / drink there. read more

Such a cool place! If you like beer this is one of the best places to get something besides a Tennets. The decor is very cool a bit of goth, some hipster, a splash of modern, and inspiration of a brewery. They also have great whiskies and yummy cider. The staff are great. Really friendly and happy to recommend a drink. The thing is they're friends with quite a few of the larger groups that come in. The beer selection has numerous craft beers on tap so great for anyone wanting to try something different. They also have whiskies and bourbons from smaller distilleries! Ladies, the bathroom has dry shampoo, Bobby pins and hair ties for you ;) and not to mention water faucets like bar taps. read more

Lesson learned... don't order Tex-Mex when in Scotland. Okay, so the nachos were a mistake, but everything else was perfect. The green curry, the fried veggies and of course the drinks. This is a really cool little bar with a wide variety of drinks including beers, ciders and wine. The gluten free IPA was excellent. Would definitely return! read more

This is what narnia looks like.To me at least. Picture a shelf of gin. Then another. Then another. Add to your picture a big board of awesome beer, funky artwork, hot dogs and comfy leather couches. Picture complete. Enjoy. Today was the second time I've been in here, my pal is good friends with most of the guys who work here and is now actually making cakes for them, which is great, because this means the next time I'm in Edinburgh, not only will I get to enjoy my version of narnia in all it's brilliance, but I'll get to do it with cake. It's uber cool without so much as a whiff of pretension which is rare, and to be treasured I think. An awesome bar. The beer selection is phenomenal and the staff are all really knowledgeable and friendly in the dispensation of any beer/gin related advice. Discovery of the day: Death's Door is nothing to be wary of. Not in gin form anyway. ;) read more

I like the atmosphere, buzzing with young twenty somethings being hip and cool. I like the furniture, old school yet chic. I like the staff, nice, chatty but practically invisible when they clear your table. I like the 2/3rds of a pint idea. Try more things, be less drunk. I like the three floors, everywhere feels tucked away and nowhere seems too full. I do not like the lack of decent cider, I have a choice between unbearably sweet or crazy alcoholic. *Still* need to try the food, I'll get on that asap! But right now it's a win from me! read more

My five-star rating comes entirely from one beer and good company, so I'll admit upfront to some bias going on here! I'd been warned before my first venture here that the Bat is "hipster" and overpriced. Despite that (or maybe because of it) I still wanted to give it a visit. Popping in during the buzzing Valentine's Day evening hours, we were pleased to find a cozy seat in the decidedly warm section on a lower floor. After mingling with a bit of a crowd hovering around the bar we procured two beers. And that was my review quite honestly set. I nabbed a beer called the Northern Monk Festive Star Spiced Mocha Porter. And it CHANGED MY LIFE. There are no words to describe what to me was the perfect coffee/chocolate beer combo. Perhaps it's unfair to give a review based entirely on one beer, so I'll also add that the ambiance of the place--crowded but with a pleasant mixture of young and old, and all seemingly friendly to boot (the guys next to us at the bar let us try their beer before we made our selection). Not to mention it was warm and cozy in the downstairs section where we sat on some big comfy couches. With an ever-changing, incredibly diverse selection of brews and a great atmosphere, it seems a foregone conclusion that I'll be returning to sniff out some new hoppy delights, and perhaps some food-stuffs, in the future. Yeah, HB! read more

If your near Lothian Road and want to sample and enjoy a great selection of beers that you probably won't find elsewhere, then you should go to the Hanging Bat. As the 'beer cafe' moniker suggests they do beer here, and they do it well. It's a little unassuming from the outside and coming here still feels like to me a little like you've stumbled upon a hidden gem despite the fact it is now incredibly popular. The interior is quirky and a little rough round the edges. The Innis & Gunn Beer Kitchen down the road feels far more slick and polished but the Hanging Bat has character. The beer is the focus and everything else is secondary. There is an extensive rotating menu of guest beers on the wall, sold in 1/3 and 2/3 measures. It's great to come here with friends and try something new (salted caramel milk stout!). It's not going to be super cheap but it's a place you come to savour the beer rather than down it. Although they have food and it looked like it might be tasty I don't think it's a sit down for a nice meal kind of place. The layout of the venue is a little odd and part of it's quirkyness. Some high chairs, some sofas, some pews. Sitting with large groups might be awkward and it can feel a bit claustrophobic especially at the weekends when it can get incredibly busy. read more

I generally never go out on Lothian Road as I never thought there were any bars there that interested me but since I heard about this bar I decided I wanted to check it out. I've been there twice now and I really liked the bar, the atmosphere, the staff. I brought some friends with me and they've all been back there since with other people. I like the time and attention that the staff give you helping you to choose your drink and I saw that they gave people samples of beers to try if they were unsure of which one to get. I got to try the hot dog with beetroot which was good and I thought it was good value for money too! I'll definitely go back there again and possibly sample the hot dog with haggis :) read more

Although no promises can be made that you'll find hanging bats here, promises can be made that you'll find some tasty, tasty beer and a bar fully stocked with lovely things! The Hanging Bar Beer Cafe had been in my yelp bookmarks for absolutely ages, and when Colin and I wandered past it yesterday, I decided we needed to go in and try it for a drink. The space inside is fantastic; absolutely loads of seating on 3 different levels, with a large bar stocking anything you can think of, especially gin-wise! The bar staff that were working were happy to serve, and were great when I asked for suggestions as to what gin to have. The atmosphere is relaxed with loads of people enjoying themselves and chilling out, and I pretty much fell in love at first sight! I will definitely be coming back through to Edinburgh just to have a night out in here! On a side note, I absolutely love that the taps in the toilets are beer taps. Wonderful. read more

Don't come here for food, come for drinks. The service was good, and all of the waitstaff was very friendly. Unfortunately, the food was disappointingly sub-par. The spicy wings are covered in a sweet tomato sauce that has a bit of zing. The fried pickles are very crispy, but taste like they've been soaked in oil for a week. The nachos are edible, but we definitely wouldn't order them again. If not for the nice people who work here, I would give it one star. I will not be returning. read more

Beer Lover. Remotely Intelligent, Good Sense of Humour and Looking for a New Adventure Seeks Well-equipped, Friendly, Cosy Beer Bar that will Blow My Mind and Tickle My Tastebuds, in and around the Edinburgh Area. DONE. I love this place. I love the beer, I love the Hotdogs, I love the staff. You know how you can tell....... I just shamelessly wrote the cringiest, fake, lonely hearts ad as part of my review. That says it all. That is how good this place is. Just. Brilliant. read more

Yelp is always such a big help, especially in new places! We went to HB for dinner on a Sunday night. We had the ribs with Mac-n-cheese, the American Pit Bull hot dog, and the nachos. Everything was amazing!!! The food was incredible. The beer selection was long and varied. I very much enjoyed the atmosphere and the staff was all very friendly. Highly recommended! read more

I have wanted to go into this pub for a wee while now....and I went yesterday after the Foodies Festival. With an extensive beer menu and some gourmet hot dogs, who could resist! We opted for 5 1/3 measures for £10. I recently have found a new appreciation for beer, and this let me taste a good few without feeling I need to drink alot of it , which i cannot do! I had to try a gourmet hotdog - I had the ' American Pit Bull' and My Boyfriend had The Alsatian'. - Sooooo good and £4.50 per hotdog - pretty good value Id say!! We sat and read the newspapers in our comfy sofa and It almost felt like we were at home, thats how comfy it was. A nice couple came in with a dog and they even had a dog bed for her!! Great wee atmospheric pub! Only downfall was that sitting downstairs is was a bit chilly & they could have done with cranking the heat up a little. I will be back & I reccommend any beer lover to go too! read more

The Hanging Bat is a pub for people who don't like pubs. I guess the clue is in the name: it's a beer café, not a pub. It's much more along the lines of an American craft brew pub than a scruffy British real ale joint. On the plus side, they have 15 beers on tap (almost none of which can be found in any other pub in Edinburgh), which is fantastic, and they use beer taps in the bathroom sinks (no beer coming from them, though). It's also perfect for mixed groups as it merges the needs of beer drinkers and those seeking a more pleasant venue than your average old man boozer. As a fan of traditional pubs, I find it a bit too airy and neat and echoey, with an awkward mixture of tables and couches (couches are great for two but terrible for groups). The overall use of space is just odd, although I can't quite put my finger on why. But my experience there is a lot of standing around, shuffling in and out of everyone's way and difficulty hearing anyone speak. And I have to confess, the 2/3 pint thing is INFURIATING. Brewdog do a similar thing serving strong beers in 1/3 and 2/3 glasses but they still serve pints. If nothing else, smaller measures means more frequent trips to the bar, which means more shuffling around tables and queuing for service. I know Edinburgh is full of old school pubs serving pints, and I'm glad to see someone doing something new . . . but . . . but . . . if it ain't broke and all that. If you're there on a quiet afternoon with a friend, then it's great to sample several interesting beers. In a group on a busy Friday night, it's a pain. But then if you have a mixed group and you want to go to the pub, this is the only way to get non-pubby friends to a place with decent brews. "It makes drinking beer fun again," said one friend. "I want a fricking pint!" said another. And there you have the Hanging Bat in a nutshell. read more

I'm torn over the Hanging Bat. I love how big its beer selection is, and the fact that they serve schooners, but on the other hand I really don't like their food menu. Hot dogs are not my cup of tea, in fact no smoked meat is, and that's near enough all HB serves. Oh, I'm not keen on mac and cheese either, which rules that out too. But when popping by for lunch I thought they must have SOMETHING other than hot dogs and mac and cheese, right? Erm. Wrong. Well, not exactly, but the chicken wings I ordered were just about the only thing on the menu that wasn't smoked meat (or mac). Which is a pity, because otherwise the Irn Bru glazed (smoked) pork ribs sounded very interesting. My boyfriend enjoyed his Greyfriars Bobby dog (with haggis) but the chicken wings were distinctly meh. I opted for the spicy wings, which didn't seem particularly hot til I got the last few and discovered all the spicy sauce had settled at the bottom. Oh and it's all served in takeaway esque containers on a plastic tray. But I do like the beers on offer. I'm more taken by lighter drinks, think lagers, pilsners etc. Whereas my boyfriend is a porter kind of guy. Hanging Bat suits us both perfectly in this respect. I'm always dreadful for finishing drinks, so for the general serving to be a schooner is ideal. There were no lagers on the board last time I was in but I was recommended a couple of alternatives, one of which was horrible (having been described as something the barman's Carlsberg fan friend likes.... a damning indictment if ever I heard one) and the other was lovely. I appreciated getting to try a sample before making my decision. (I appreciated less being almost entirely ignored by the barman in an otherwise empty bar while he served my boyfriend). In the evenings it's very busy, especially at weekends, but it's in a good place in town for bars and restaurants nowdays so a great place to stop by for a few drinks. But only drinks. I don't think I'll be eating here again. read more

7/26/17 I was looking for a place near my hotel that was offering some real ale and possibly made their own beers. This place met both criteria so the wife and walked over the Hanging Bat. Rather modern looking inside. Bright and open with a couple of seats facing the street at a raised bar. I believe there are two levels: the upstairs bar area and a basement down below. WE didn't make it down there but a quick glance from upstairs made it out to look like a lounge room set up with some board games and comfortable seating (I could be wrong). We sat up at the window facing high top. Ordered two real ales, both pale ales, and enjoyed the people walking home from work in the early afternoon. I saw the brew set-up and being a brewer, I was curious. Very small 10 gallon set-up with one guy doing the brewing. He was in the midst of brewing a gruit with some interesting ingredients. The beers were good and fairly priced. We didn't get any food but meat seems to be their specialty. Nice spot to stop for an afternoon quickie. read more

Yes, time for an update to this review... I've sampled the hot dogs and they were found to be good, real good. Meaty, tasty, stacked with toppings and heated right through in their crusty rolls. The service was quick and they're a steal at £4.50. Hanging bat, eaten dog. read more

Try Hards - should know better I am a self confessed Hop Head who has loved every moment of the "Craft Beer Revolution". The spread of US style beers across bars and pubs has been seismic in Edinburgh, rocking the foundations of a traditionally real ale loving city. So you can imagine my excitement when I heard about the Hanging Bat, so much range and so close to my flat, it can't be true! Opening in a formerly tres dodgy bar called Mr Modos, and filling the rather threatening void that was the middle of Lothian Road. The idea of a pub crawl from Cloisters to the Red Squirrel (including Lebowskis, Black Bird, Blue Blazer and The Brauhaus - possibly) became far more tantalising with a stop off at Edinburgh's newest Craft beer Haven. Despite murmurs of being open in time for the Festival they were fashionably late and opened mid winter. I made it in on one of their first nights, and was blown away by the size of their range, and enjoyed sampling quite a few of what was on offer. Now, the beer is first class, but we all know the beer doesn't make the pub, it's a combination of things. I have sampled their food and its good, I don't think it deserves the gushing plaudits I have read here, but it is good pub fare, ideal for session drinking. It is worth pointing out that they do serve a good deal of hig ABV beers, but also some fine lower ones, Kernel's Table Beer for example is great at well below 4%, line them up! The service, yes it's OK, the staff are uber trendy and you can't help notice that they seem more interested in 'behind the bar banter' than actually engaging with their clientele. I see other visitors having the same problem, further emphasised by a rather oddly placed bar counter that creates a bottle neck in the middle of the bar - it's almost as if they don't want you to stand at the bar and have a drink - go and sit at a couch and come back when you want further access to my encyclopaedic knowledge of beer. I'm sure that's not exactly what they are thinking, but it's how they have made me feel on more than one occasion! I have already hit on the design, but the décor and layout just doesn't click for me, it feels awkward and unwelcoming. Security on the door is fine, and I think most likely essential considering the hit and miss area they are in. So, its 2 stars, not because I don't like it. I have been in numerous times since they opened, and will go again. It is 2 stars because I think they have missed the target, and I expected so much more. The range alone will not make me stay beer after beer. It's a combination of things and this is a recipe that just doesn't seem to work, like Smoked Strawberries or Balsamic Ice Cream.... read more

I have been to the Hanging Bat only a couple of times since its opening and I have to say that I was pretty impressed by the place. Cool decor, comfy sofas, fun water taps in the toilets. Oh and of course, the main thing: the beer. A huge selection as it appears. Staff are fairly knowledgeable and ready to give you advice. I like the idea of 2/3 pint glasses too. And of course the hot dogs. What a great idea! Those hot dogs are delicious, totally worth the money. A great addition to the slowly-improving face of Lothian Road. read more

I always have a good time at the Hanging Bat. I may not get a seat, but I still have a good time. It's usually ridiculously crowded so don't expect to sit down unless you go early or you scope out a table as people are leaving. Can't say much about the beer as I don't really drink beer - I know, I know, it's a BEER CAFE - but the mixed drinks are a-ok and the snacks are lovely. Great place to go with friends. read more

Kid in a sweet shop!! Hi my name is Lewis and I'm a self confessed Beer monster - and I love the hanging bat!! Beer good! Food good! Atmosphere good! I challenge any beer lover to not like this place!! Their selection is constantly changing and they are all great! They brew their own brand as well but I am yet to be lucky enough to try it!! A local favourite!! read more

This is a superb bar attracting people of all ages. They have an amazing selection of beers - some you'll have heard of, many you won't. There is also a huge variety of gin on offer, with a customer next to me sampling one with Grapefruit & Coconut. The customers and staff are a friendly bunch and the staff really know their onions* *For onions read Beer & Gin. read more

Bandwagoned entirely. Joy. MFing Joy to the World. That is what this place means to me. If I were to ever have a wedding, I would want it here. Why? Because a million types of beer, comfy (p)leather couches, log cabin-like decor, a fireplace (did I make that up?), and hot dogs sounds like the best wedding ever. Get ready Hanging Bat. read more

The food was tasty. The beer menu board was confusing. I would like to see a little of a description on the beers.

Setting up shop at the top of Lothian Road is certainly a brave venture. The Hanging Bat Beer Cafe has chosen the site opposite the Odeon, previously occupied by such Edinburgh stalwarts as Mr. Modo's and the more infamous Uluru, nestled precariously amongst student locales like Chanter and Lebowski's, working class dive bars of the Footlights and Blue Blazer ilk, but also the chav havens of Club Tropicana, Shakespeare's and Anderson's. Fortunately the décor and style of the place has attracted the former. As a microbrewery (they're own hops, etc. very tastefully on show at the rear of the premises) you can expect a similar crowd to the likes of 9A or Brewdog. A younger crowd with an eye for a wee beer adventure and not set in their Tennents or Carling ways. The décor is rustic and warm. The occupants a mix of cultures, most predominantly student blends. I imagine it's only a matter of time before the Yahs sniff this one out and decend on it like they did with Brew Lab. But in the meantime it hits the mark. If you take a look at their website, this serves as a good example of what to expect from the people of the Bat. The guys putting in the shifts here are sociable, pro-active and interested. It's clear they love their beer and love talking about it. Every interaction was charged with a genuine excitement and enthusiasm for what they were a part of. Inspiring stuff. If there isn't a Yelp Elite Event laid on by these guys in 2013 I will be very surprised. As I appear to enjoy mentioning, I'm not a beer drinker. And in the Bat's case I didn't deviate from my own stubbornness. But it's not only the beer that is individual at the Hanging Bat Beer Café.... With no JD on the menu I enquired as to the bourbon options available to me. Heaven Hill and Buffalo Trace were the two worthy substitutes, both of which I'd happily try again. Slightly quirky, I did enjoy the lack of familiar brands here. Not even the Cola was a known name. Gourmet Hotdog menu. Nuff said. Oh alright. The selection is small (about half a dozen varieties) but interesting. Both myself and my mate chose the Greyfriars Bobby, consisting of a REAL sausage topped with haggis and caramelised onion. Other options included traditional Bratwurst with sauerkraut and cheese. Another personal favourite, the Pulled Pork Roll, stood out on their BBQ-based carte du jour and presented yet another reason to return. Slightly perturbed to find chips and/or wedges missing from the menu but their selection alternative sides, such as Kimchi Slaw or Mini Mac 'n' Cheese, were unique and refreshing. If you like Brewdog, you'll love the Hanging Bat. It's a step up in terms of variety, price and vibe. In all fairness, one great experience does not a 5-star review make. I'll certainly be back.... gotta make my way through that Dog menu if nothing else. If they carry on the way they're going, a 5 star update is on the cards. read more

Hanging Bat, can we be friends? First impressions count and my first thought really was HOLY MOTHER OF GIN, that's a lot of the damned stuff. And it is, especially for a bar that specialises in beer. If you're a gin fiend like me, you'll most definitely find yourself drooling over the back wall by the bar. Cue wide eyes and salivating lips, I'm in some kind of gin emporium with seriously the most extensive collection I've seen. Sipsmith, Edinburgh Gin, The Botanist, Bulldog, Caorunn, Blackwood's....This is one truly GIN-ormous gin collection! TOO MUCH gin? How very dare you, I don't believe there is such a thing! Service was friendly and fast and, despite the fact that this was a fleeting one-drink stop, I'm inclined to say; I like you Hanging Bat and I will be back. read more

Simply amazing selection of beer and not even a hint of snobbery from the staff that happily explained and recommended beer based on the most awkward, layman description of sought-after tastes. Besides the cask/keg list on the wall there's a huge list in the menu (including a section for strange and experimental brews). Nice atmosphere, rustic tables and some comfy sofas and not so crowded on weekdays (but Friday evening may result in a more sardine-like experience). The rustic also goes for the hot dogs served in baguette bread. Good stuff! Definitely a go-to place for beer drinking next time I'm in Edinburgh. read more

The Hanging Bat is one of the leading craft beer bars in Edinburgh and is one of my favourite haunts. They have a selection of keg and cask beers that regularly change so I won't bother recommending a particular ale as it probably won't be available when you visit. The thing that will be available though is the amazing food! Be aware, very aware that if you order the Chilli Con Carne then you will receive a lot of food, let me repeat that to make it absolutely clear, IT IS A LOT OF FOOD! The chilli isn't tongue burningly spicy but it is very tasty and when you munch on a jalapeno you can get all the burn you may want. The one issue with THB is that it is popular, you may not get a table because people want to come here for great beer and good food. read more

The only place that has great craft beer in Edinburgh. If you are spoiled and from the states and used to quality craft beer this is the only spot in Edinburgh that has quality beers. Brew dog is a second place but waaaay behind hanging bat. Food is good too. read more