Pubs and Bars in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has some great places to go out for a drink so researching our bar reviews and pub reviews was great fun.

GoOutIn Edinburgh Recommends

The Cuckoo's Nest

So you've made it to the interval of a pantomime at the King's Theatre. You've chewed most of your arm off and now it's time for some sweet alcoholic relief. Ditch your hyperactive runt, flee from Ross Kemp's disturbing drag costume and head next door to the Cuckoo's Ne Read more about The Cuckoo's Nest

The Black Bull Tavern

In a city with no shortage of delightfully turned out bars, you may yearn for a more metallic bite. With only the standard alcoholic fare, this pub's real delight is its jukebox and clientele. Though with a fantastic selection of the last four decades' best rock, metal and occasional splat Read more about The Black Bull Tavern

Under the Stairs

When this effortlessly cool new bar slinked in under the radar, we found ourselves struggling to decide whether to spread the word or hog it all to our GoOutIn selves. Don't say we're not good to you. It feels like drinking in the perfect living room – think bare wood, stone walls, sof Read more about Under the Stairs

Most Popular

Amicus Apple

Fancy a cocktail with Guinness, vodka, and a description as cryptic as The Times crossword? Maybe lounging on a plush leather divan alongside a mural by Bernie Reid - the guy responsible for the chic Dragonfly décor - and munching on pan-fried scallops as you eagerly await the start of Club Tra... Read more about Amicus Apple

Garibaldi's

The Mexicans are at it again as Garibaldi's shoves its way onto Hanover Street without a squashed fly biscuit in sight. The interior looks like a cross between a fast food joint and a Mexican restaurant – Mex–donalds perhaps? – and the bar staff are polite and friendly. It&apo... Read more about Garibaldi's

Berlin Bierhaus

If you've been lucky enough to acquire some friends over the years who are interesting enough to actually sit down and listen to once in a while you might want to bring them here. The name may conjure up images of beer–bellied Germans knocking back flagons of Heineken with their Sauerkrau... Read more about Berlin Bierhaus

Grand Cru

If you're not accustomed to wearing Luis Vuitton shoes, Dolce and Gabbana underwear, or some sort of stuffed animal round your neck, only visit Grand Cru if you're a glutton for punishment. Everyone seems friendly enough at first glance but when you take that all–important toilet tri... Read more about Grand Cru

City Cafe

City Café is the ideal place to start your night and don't they just know it. Flyers for clubs pile up on your table after buying a round, but if you'd rather use them as beer mats or tear them into rude shapes, the professional bar–staff and 'out–there' DJs ar... Read more about City Cafe

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Henry J. Beans

When you want a cocktail, it's difficult for even the most attractive customer to ask for one in their local without getting their pint pissed in and glass sprinkled on their chips. Thank Christ in that case for Henry J Beans, the cocktail specialist, who'll serve you up some fruity, pueri... Read more about Henry J. Beans

The Tron

At Tron, they may crow on about the 'Yellow Card' being exclusively for students, but from personal experience, as long as you have £1 and don't sport excessive facial hair/remember the war you're pretty much guaranteed your own credit card sized piece of yellow plastic. If... Read more about The Tron

The Steamie

Combining the old-fashioned pub look with chrome and the like sounds like a recipe for disaster, but somehow The Steamie just, well, works. Like haggis, the horrendous ingredients somehow combine to make something that'll keep you coming back for more. With a glass front for the voyeur in you, ... Read more about The Steamie

Bar 38

There's something unsettling about accidentally peeing into a fountain disguised as a wash basin, but it's far from uncommon in a swanky place like Bar 38. Being at the end of George Street means it was always going to be expensive, but there are drinks here that require their own tax code... Read more about Bar 38

Dome Bar

The cream of George Street. From the outside, the Dome looks like the sort of place you need a gold-plated invite to flash at the doorman before you can get in, but actually you can saunter in pretty much any time provided you don't look like a local tramp (the poor kind, not the slutty kind th... Read more about Dome Bar

We've been on Amazon checking out all their Edinburgh Guide Books. The ones below are our favourites.