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.

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.

This is a friendly little pub that definitely has an authentic feel…read more Very vibrant and energetic, drop in for a quick sip

Great spot to grab a drink. The Guinness was expertly poured and the music was sound.read more

Edinburgh, like many popular cities in the UK, is full of awesome bars, live music, and great…read morepeople. You could walk around drunk and blindfolded and manage to stumble in a place that checks all these boxes. Panda & Sons is different. Everything about Panda & Sons is intentional. You walk through a hidden door into a low lit room where everyone is cooler than you if you're me. The tables look thrifted, the chairs are mismatched, there's a random broken telephone booth in one corner, and yet it all just flows. And then there's the menu. This is a cocktail bar for a cocktail connoisseur. Despite many of the brands being retail (think Absolute vodka) the actual drinks sing. There's also a number of infographics on their process as well as certified local recommendations, but our bartender told us this was all back-patting and to just order what we liked. The result: Best drink I've had in Europe in a long time. I ordered a coconut Daiquiri served with white chocolate and I'm still thinking about it a month later. If you're in Edinburgh this place is an incredible stop. My only regret is not ordering more.

We were a little disappointed with our experience here. A lot of the drinks are very herbal and not…read morebalanced well. The best drink I had was one I ordered à la carte rather than off the menu, an amaretto sour. Prices were on par with prices in the area at about £14-15 per drink. You definitely need a reservation. They turned some walking in away at the door. I thought this would be a speak ways type of atmosphere based on advertisement but really it's just a loud bar with a fancy bookshelf door. Even thought it's listed top 20 bars in the world, i would skip it next time I'm in town, you could get a good drink elsewhere.

If you're looking for a spacious pub cool vibes, with live music 7 nights a week and great…read moreperformers, this is your place.

My daughter J and I went to Stramash with a few of her school friends after watching some World Cup…read morematches and then hitting a pub nearby. J exclaimed this was her favorite place to watch live music in Edinburgh. Once we entered (after paying a small cover) I could see why. It was a great space; the band was awesome; and the place was absolutely rocking! I also really liked how it was laid out. Unlike some cave-like pubs we'd visited, Stramash was a roomy, two-story venue with multiple bars. The second floor was loft-like, wrapping around three sides of the large room for maximum stage view-space. We headed to the less-crowded upstairs bar and got served immediately. The band was "The Scoundrels", a group from Glasgow: With fiddle, accordion, keyboard, guitar and drums, they sounded a bit like Mumford & Sons, but with a more Scottish/Irish inclination. Simply fantastic! I do prefer a band that writes and plays their own songs. Despite the roomer upstairs, my daughter and her friends were drawn to the main floor downstairs, which was filled with dancing patrons. We spent much of the remaining time there dancing, wading through humanity, and sometimes pogo-ing to especially raucous songs. I ended my night after that, sometime after midnight.; tired but happy. My daughter and her friends were discussing going elsewhere. (But they are 22 and I am...not).

Custom whisky flight! The bartender asked me a few questions to put together my flight and asked my…read morecost range. I said £30 and it ended up being £28 which was nice. I think her selections matched well and I came away with my fave whiskey I tasted for the trip! She also took the time to tell me a bit about the whiskey (where it's made, tasting notes, etc) Also love the ambiance inside because who doesn't love cute black cat art!

Excellent fish and chips! I love frequenting anything related to cat themes in the name so that…read moremade the stop extra fun for me. Excellent pub and ambience inside. I didn't know this until I left but I guess there are EXCELLENT whiskey choices here. Next time I will make sure to take advantage of this.

Went as a solo female and had a blast great edm music everyone was polite no creeps a few friendly…read moremen but nothing uncomfortable or weird dance floor opens at 11z

Cab Vol is great if you're into less mainstream music than you'll hear in a 'normal' club. And if…read moreyou don't mind sweat dripping off the low ceilings onto you at least once a minute, or drinking out of plastic cups. I have to honest, it's not my thing. I've been dragged along on a handful of occasions by friends, and each time I go i'm determined that this will be the time I have a great night there and leave at 3am completely converted. It's been four years, and it hasn't happened yet. That has a lot to do with the people that go though, as opposed to the club itself. On tuesdays this place pulls in a lot of "rahs" from Edinburgh Uni, thinking that wearing weird coloured skinny jeans suddenly makes them alternative. It doesn't, and their huge back-combed blonde hair dos look even more ridiculous than normal.

Hurrah for dark and dingy Henry's!…read more One of Edinburgh's staple underground (no, actually underground) music venues. I'd reckon, despite it's modest size, 90% of every gig I've been to has been here.The booze tastes like an instant hangover but hey, you're not there for a poncy cocktail you're there for the huge list of experimental and alternative bands. Obviously, the busier the more atmospheric it tends to be, so when you're walking back look down into the tiny courtyard and if it's filled with too many people smoking roll-ups and wearing leather jackets you've come on the right night!

Henry's Cellar Bar does exactly what it says on the tin: it's a small and eh, a bar…read more I have a friend who is a super scene kid who reads NME, watches Skins and thinks he is at the forefront of what is trendy and what is not. He often plods off to Henry's Cellar Bar and drags me with him and I'm glad he does. For once he is actually right about something being cool. There is often some obscure band playing or perhaps the next big thing and a great atmosphere to go with it. I have watched bands played here when they have first started out, and are now off to play T in the Park this year. So if your lucky you may spot some real talent. Makes for a fun night out and its a cool venue, so give it a bash!