Cool and Quirky Bars in Edinburgh
A bustling, metropolitan city like Edinburgh is always going to have its fair share of hidden watering holes, secret speakeasies and beautifully decorated nooks. Serving a delectable range of finely craft cocktails, an impressive selection of international wines and a whole load of craft beers, these bars offer their visitors a completely immersive experience. Here's a list of some of the most wonderfully bizarre and unusual bars in Edinburgh.
Last updated on 24th February 2017
A haven for Mexican-inspired street food and exotic cocktails, Wahaca is the brainchild of a former Masterchef champion. Thomasina Miers founded Wahaca back in 2007 and since then the chain has become a leading light when it comes to all things Mexico. Stop by from mid-October as Wahaca’s fragant street-food flavours, tequila cocktails and flowing cervezas come to Scotland for the first time.
Spread over two floors, The Refinery is a cool and quirky spot which is great for everything from a post-work cocktail through to a romantic dinner. Sit by the open kitchen to watch your food being prepared or sit in the Alpine-lodge like upstairs for an intimate meal.
Hidden away on the corner of Charlotte Square, Panda & Sons rolls back the clock and transports its guests to America's prohibition years. Disguised as a barber shop, this secret speakeasy is decked out with quaint antiques and old school barber chairs, and is home an impressive arsenal of spices, spirits and fruits. Bursting full of character, this is one quirky bar in Edinburgh that everyone should visit.
Located in Edinburgh's historic old town, this colourful outpost promises South American cuisine, delicious cocktails and Latin American party vibes, all throughout the week. Whether you're here for lunch, dinner or a late-night dance-fuelled session, Boteco do Brasil Edinburgh is always a good shout.
Casual dinning, laid back drinks and high-quality service are all brought together at Bon Vivant on Thistle Street. Appearance is everything here, so expect to be served extravagant looking drinks and neatly produced dishes by a team of perfectionists. Maintaining an air of elegance whilst somehow holding onto a devil-may-care attitude, Bon Vivant is one unique bar in Edinburgh that won't be easily forgotten.
The Lucky Liquor Co. opened its doors to the public just over 3 years ago, and has since been a favourite spot amongst the city's cocktail enthusiasts. As a sleek, sophisticated and wonderfully unusual bar in Edinburgh, its talented line-up of mixologists let their imaginations run wild when it comes to creating cocktails. Adventurous city revellers might want to try the Doodle Dandy, a concoction created by combining peanut butter washed bourbon, lemon and American mustard.
There's something wonderfully reassuring about a place like the Devil's Advocate. From its rustic decor to its welcoming atmosphere, there are few better places to grab a quiet drinks with your closest friends. Separating it from the rest, their beautifully crafted cocktails are accompanied by over 200 different whiskeys. From the distillers in Glasgow to the rugged Highlands breweries, this chic, cool bar in Edinburgh offers a true and characterful taste of Scotland's proud culture.
Botany comes to life in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town at the forever-bustling Potting Shed. Bursting full of fresh flowers and bright bushes, gardening tools are scattered across the venue, giving the bar a remarkably fresh feeling. Centred around a distinct, horticulture theme, and stocked full of the best craft beers and ales around, this has to be one of the most interesting bars in Edinburgh.
Elegantly quirky by day, and explosively wild at night, 99 Hannover Street is dedicated to all things vintage. With Beatles-inspired sofas, low-hanging chandeliers and golden gilded mirrors, the team behind this venture have rolled back the clock to time when flared trousers were actually popular. Whether you're sipping a refreshing Kaffir Daiquiri or gulping down a Monkey Got Jacked, the boundaries pushed by the cocktail list easily makes 99 Hannover Street one of the quirkiest bars in Edinburgh.
