The 10 Best Bars In New Town, Edinburgh
The Georgian New Town section of Edinburgh city is an eclectic collection of department stores, cocktail bars and alas, the main tram line routes. It’s also the beating nightlife heart of the capital and there are very few evenings out in Edinburgh that don’t ultimately wind up in a George Street bar or club. Use our guide to the Best New Town nightlife to ensure you end up in all the right places.
1. Bramble
Cocktail Bar, Bar, Cocktails
Something of a local secret for many years, Bramble has become one of the capital’s brightest nightlife spots. Patrons will need a map or GPS to locate it, however, given its location down a steep set of stairs in a stylish subterranean Queen Street cellar with only a small brass plaque to signify its presence. Once inside, the interior proves equally unassuming yet inviting. Bare stone walls, antique furniture and little cubby holes are dimly illuminated by subdued lighting and flickering candles.The impression of a speakeasy is ably complemented by the management’s ethos of artistry in the making of their drinks, striking a balance of serving up retro classic and fabulous new concoctions. House specialties include the Campbeltown (single malt whisky, Cherry Heering and green chartreuse) and the Mint Choc Flip, but drop in a well-placed word with one of the barmen and they’ll assemble a cocktail to your own preferences. Bramble is sound tracked by chilled-out soul and R’n’B slow jams and on Fridays and Saturdays, one can groove into the wee small hours with the establishment’s house DJs.
2. Panda and Sons
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Contemporary, Pub Grub, Cocktails
For an even more hush-hush speakeasy bar in Edinburgh’s New Town, Panda and Sons is well worth a drop-in visit while exploring the city. Opened in 2013, Panda and Sons, in a charming throwback to a sense of old-school mystery and discovering hidden treasures, is deceptively disguised by a vintage barber shop facade, replete with old fashioned blow-dry chair in the entrance foyer and a false bookcase doorway.. Once you’ve crossed the threshold, an ever-bustling cocktail joint awaits, overseen by award-winning bartender Iain McPherson. The drinks list is divided into chapters and thus feels expansive enough to seem like the liquor is always flowing. The level of invention varies from house twists on old standards such as the Red Panda take on a Bloody Mary (Tanqueray gin, tomato juice, Kaffir lime leaves, cucumber, lemon juice, Worcester sauce, Tabasco and a Guinness float) to the Liquid Brunch of Ketel One vodka, chamomile tea, fennel syrup, ginger wine and gentian de lure aperitif wine. Mop up the copious drinks with some light bites from the sharing snack menu on offer which features cheese and meat boards, pork scratchings and complimentary popcorn.
3. The Hanging Bat
Bar, Beer
5. The Cumberland Bar
Bar, Gastropub, Pub, Restaurant, British, European, Pub Grub
Made famous by local author and Edinburgh celebrity Alexander McCall Smith’s 44 Scotland Street series of books, the Cumberland Bar is a popular pub located down on quiet Cumberland Street and is an authentic yet refined Scottish boozer. The Sunday roast is a big draw but it is surely the prospect of a pint of Joker IPA or Caesar Augustus sipped outside in the shady beer garden that ensures return visits a-plenty. Book ahead for one of those sought-after outside tables.
6. The Oxford Bar
Bar, Craft Ale Bar, Pub, Pub Grub
7. Kay's Bar
Bar, Pub, British, Pub Grub
8. The Cask and Barrel
Bar, Pub Grub, Beer
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
- Post ID: 425993
- Sponsored? No
- View Payload