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    Usquabae

    4.7 (41 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Scottish
    Closed 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

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    Recommended Reviews - Usquabae

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    Jack S.

    In New Town nearer the West End of Edinburgh. It was not easily identifiable by the outside but since I'd passed it daily while walking in and out of town I decided to look into it. My first surprise was that the name roughly translated means "whisky". All I can say is it was on overall terrific surprise! My wife and I had a reasonably long day of tourism and while we enjoyed our entire day we were thrilled with how it ended. I'd made a reservation and had asked for an intimate table. When we arrived they placed us in a 2-person nook. It looked like they also had a 4-person and maybe 6-person nook...I don't recall :) But ultimately these are tables which are a couple of steps down off the main dining area which are surrounded by glass encased, shelved walls which encase various whiskies. And each nook has curtains outside the steps which can be drawn for privacy. Naturally the whisky menu was extensive and prices were reasonable, the service was very good and the food was also quite good. They also allowed us to take our time and enjoy our evening. In all seriousness, we could not have been more pleased with Usquabae!

    Marc S.

    Great little bar for tasting. Private booths that will allow you to take some scotch flights privately. Staff is very helpful at educating you on what to look for in your tastings. Get their great charcuterie plate to go with the drinks cleanse the palate between flights. When it's cold and wet in Edinburgh, be sure to stop in and get a nip to warm you up!

    Bunker decor!
    Clarissa M.

    Usquabae! A wee hidden gem I've only recently discovered in Edinburgh. I'm pleased that I have--as a recent Scotch convert, Usquabae's West End location and surprisingly expansive Scotch menu had me at "whisky tastings." Good service and lovely meals top this one up to a place you can stop for either a nice dinner, atmospheric drinks and chat, or both! Usquabae appears to be a newer addition to Edinburgh judging by its clean and modern interior, which is refreshing--old man pubs are great, but it's nice to see something new crop up in the city. It sits in the downstairs portion of Ryan's bar, which makes it easy enough to find, and because of its underground location it has the whole dimly-lit, atmospheric vibe going. It has normal tables and even a few "bunkers"--little booth seating areas where you can have a meal, which is nice if you're looking for some privacy. For me, Usquabae ticked all the boxes for a fantastic evening. As my folks were visiting, and that lead to us deciding to check out Usquabae because they do whisky tastings. For a very reasonable price of around 17 pounds, you can sample the "Taste of Scotland" range of Scotch which allows you to try a Lowland, a Highland, a Spey, and an Islay whisky. All this while being guided through your drams by a knowledgeable whisky aficionado makes for a great night. My dad ranked it one of his favorite things done while over. Sure, it's no distillery experience, but when the nearest distillery (Glenkinchie) is 16 miles away and not readily accessible except by car, you make do. And Usquabae provided! So chuffed with our whisky sampling experience were we that we decided to reserve the same bunker we'd sat in for dinner later. Upon our return, we were served promptly by a chipper young gal who was absolutely lovely. Our service was on point, even despite the fact that there was a party of around 60 youngsters keeping her on her toes most of the evening. As someone who used to be a waitress myself, I clap bravo to her for being giving such excellently friendly service on top of dealing with all that. So let's talk about the foodstuffs. The food arrived quickly with steak mains for the parentals, and the two veggie options available for the hubs and I. All the food was excellently cooked and delicious, even, surprisingly, my husband's veggie haggis, neeps, and tatties. I don't normally care for veggie haggis, but Usquabae has some sort of magic worked there--it was surprisingly good! Not only that, but my folks' side of chips were perfect. I mean it. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, ugh. So good. My own risotto was just fine, but there lies my only real beef with Usquabae, but it's quite mild beef if anything. As a veg-head (*queue audience groaning*), risotto is just not my favorite. I mean, come on, it's rice. You can get pretty creative with rice sometimes, but it's still rice. The menu pinned at the door of Usq does mention a veggie pasta alternative, but it isn't listed on the main menu, which gives veggies all of two options for mains, which hubs and I have now exhausted in one fell swoop. That said, the prices were reasonable enough and the food was good, especially according to the folks. I think if there was just one other option for veggies to eat and said veggie portions (and the chip sides so I could stuff my gob!) just a smite bigger, I'd upgrade my review to a solid 5 stars, no questions asked. That said, I could see Usquabae being my new go-to restaurant to take visiting friends and family for a nice Scottish meal. I could definitely see myself going there for a nice, quiet dram or two if the desire so struck. Keep up the good work, Usquabae--you're a lovely joint!

    Caz H.

    New whisky bar in the west end. 400 whiskies to choose from and a few gins & beers. Lots of Scottish food on the menu from Cullen skink to balmoral chicken and cranachan. Big bar table, few seats at the bar then low tables and little private booths/cubbies for drinking & eating. A curtain pulls across if you want respite from prying eyes! Quite noisy and the space was nowhere near full. Not a bad place to stop in for a drink but would definitely want to be in a booth for more than just one. Well worth checking out!

    The lamb rump dish
    Diana C.

    This food at this place was so delicious! We stopped by after a long day of walking around Windsor. I really was craving Thai food, so we found this Thai fusion restaurant on yelp. The service was quick and food was excellent!!

    They have private rooms
    Christina K.

    During my entire stay in Edinburgh, this was by far my favorite whisky bar. What's there not to like? The staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Prices were reasonable. Food was great. The inside is beautiful. Ending up coming here three times in a week. That's how large their whisky selection is. Do yourself a favor: check this place out.

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    10 years ago

    Excellent spot for whiskey - great atmosphere and very knowledgeable staff! Fantastic spot!

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    Review Highlights - Usquabae

    Tried the following dishes: haggis, fish cakes, half haddock, venison and steak and ale pie.

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    Bryant & Mack Private Detectives - Difficult to find, but well worth it!

    Bryant & Mack Private Detectives

    4.6(17 reviews)
    0.2 miNew Town
    ££

    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.

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    September gem

    Usquabae - bars - Updated August 2026

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