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Best Edinburgh Bars

 

BARS AND PUBS IN EDINBURGH
 
Scotland’s capital is bursting at the seams with some fantastic pubs and bars - from historic hostelries oozing with olde worlde rustic charm through to 21st century palaces of hedonistic glitz and glamour! Faced with pages and pages of listings how do you find the right venue for your next night on the tiles? 
 
Informed Women make it childsplay. We’ve divided our listings into categories - so dive in where the mood takes you!
 
BEST FOR……
 
Girly Glitz and Glamour
 
For unashamed girly glamour you can’t beat Tigerlily. One of the capital’s hippest venues it’s housed in an elegant converted Georgian townhouse. The award-winning interior is quirky and sumptuous, the service is great and the cocktail list is to die for….
Tigerlilly, 125 George Street, EH2 0131 225 5005
 
 
 
One of Edinburgh’s premier gathering spots for the after-work young professional crowd, Le Monde offers a choice of no less than three glamorous themed bars evoking the rarefied atmospheres of Vienna, Paris and Milan. All have funky interiors, cool sounds and hot company…. Check out the fabulous cocktail list in the first floor Paris bar and watch out for winking waiters. 
Le Monde, 16 George Street, EH2 0131 270 3900
 
Fun and Funk
 
For fun and theatre with a full-on Goth flavour, you can’t beat the legendary Frankensteins. The atmosphere’s pumping, the DJ’s doing his stuff and there’s even a scary monster to make you knock over your drink…. Fab cocktails and special offers abound. Check out the infamous Rocky Horror Nights. Don’t forget to dress up though! 
 Frankensteins, 26 George IV Bridge, EH1 0131 622 1818
 
  
At the Rat Pack Piano Bar drink in the ace atmosphere and enjoy live singers and piano players most evenings. Dance and sing along to live Sinatra impersonators and relax in the cool but unpretentious interior. Sip cocktails way into the night from the comfort of a nice squashy sofa. A really great night out!  
Rat Pack Piano Bar, 9 Shandwick Place, West End EH2 0131 228 9147
 
A Relaxed Chat with Friends
 
With quirky, stylish décor and comfy sofas for you to sprawl on The Villager offers you a truly decadent cocktail list and a funky beat. Check it out!
The Villager, 49-50 George IV Bridge, EH1 0131 226 2781
 
 
 
After some serious retail therapy why not sip cocktails with the girls in elegant surroundings with stunning views over the harbour at the Ocean Bar On a fine evening teeter on your kitten heels to the balcony and gaze out over the water. 
Ocean Bar, Ocean Terminal, Leith 0131 553 8073
 
 
 
 
Pulling the Blokes
 
If you want to pull blokes, you go where the blokes are - no? If you’re after the full testosterone-soaked experience, get yourself down to Diggers (Athletic Arms). Apparently described by camra as ’mecca’, Diggers is nothing short of a legend for serious beer drinkers. The new 80/- is a real fave rave! Ok it’s a man’s pub, but if you’re looking to pull the Scotland rugby team, it’s local to Murrayfield….. If you’re happy to view the eye candy but you just can’t stomach beer, there’s a passable wine list. Needless to say avoid it like the plague on match days - you won’t get a look in! 
 Diggers (Athletic Arms) 1-3 Angle Park Terrace, Gorgie EH11
 
 
Part of a large fun-loving chain,  Belushi’s is renowned for some of the capital’s wildest late night parties. Check out the talent in advance on the infamous live web cam! Then pile on the lippy and head down to Market Street for live DJ entertainment, Happy Hours, 241,Karaoke, Sports Screens, dressing up and just generally having a larf… Don’t forget to peruse the jukebox - allegedly crammed with no less than two million tunes! 
Belushi’s, 9-13 Market Street, EH1 
 
 
Eye-Popping Cocktail Lists
 
The prize for a cocktail list that reads like a phone directory has to go to Bar Kohl. You won’t know where to start (or how you got home!). The shots and cocktail list is truly legendary (especially fabulous if you’re a vodka lover) and there are lots of great-value pitchers. The staff are professional, friendly and welcoming and the music’s always superb. Bar Kohl can get very busy at weekends but it’s well worth the queue at the bar. 
Bar Kohl, 54 George IV Bridge, EH1 0131 225 6936
 
Impressing a Date
 
If you want to impress a date (especially if he’s from out of town) then The Dome is the place to be seen! Housed in a simply stunning converted bank headquarters, you ascend the broad steps to a magnificent classical portico and then on to a vast circular hallway flanked by two of the biggest vases of fresh lilies ever seen - the scent is heavenly! Take a comfy chair right there under the flowers, close your eyes and await your prince charming or proceed directly into the impressive Grill Room for drinks, coffee or food. Feast your eyes on the huge coffered central dome with its opulent chandelier. Sip cocktails and flutter your eyelids amongst the elegant arches, pillars and potted palms.   For a truly intimate experience why not try the cosy confines of the Club Room with its luxurious mirrored and walnut-clad walls. And if you want to truly knock your date’s socks off visit over the festive season. The decorations are breathtaking! 
The Dome, 14 George Street, New Town EH2 0131 624 8624
 
 
Minimally chic and reputedly edgy the Traverse Bar Café is frequented by highbrow Edinburgh intelligensia and art lovers. OK it’s not especially comfy or intimate but - depending on your date - it may be the ideal venue to impress. 
Traverse Bar Café, Traverse Theatre, Lothian Road
 
Olde Worlde Charm
 
A character institution since Victorian times The Canny Man’s is a quirky maze of atmospheric little nooks in which to while away a boozy evening of banter and tall tales. Feast your eyes on the fascinating collection of curios that line the walls including musical instruments, measuring devices, old bits of ships…. Beware though! The publican’s fanatically dedicated to preserving his boozer’s traditional character so give some thought to your outfit! Anything too outlandish you simply don’t get served. Oh and hide the phones and cameras. On a nice day (if you’re attire passes muster and you’ve ferreted the technology away) savour the rarefied air of Morningside in the lovely beer garden!    
The Canny Man’s, 239 Morningside Road. EH10 4QU
 
Located in the historic Grassmarket, chock-fu’ of character and frequently described as the best Irish pub in Edinburgh Finnegan’s Wake is the place for the craic! There’s plenty of funky, live music and the staff are upbeat and friendly. Get in early at weekends though as it’s popular - particularly with overseas visitors!  
Finnegan’s Wake, 9B Victoria Street, Grassmarket EH1 0131 226 3816
 
A real fave with the more well-heeled Edinburgh Uni’ students, The Cloisters is an atmospheric, traditional Edinburgh pub. Cosy and inviting with a roaring fire in winter, the friendly and knowledgeable bar staff will give you a welcome you won’t forget. There’s no loud music so you don’t need to shout and you can even bring your loyal pooch along! 
The Cloisters, 26 Brougham Street, Tollcross, EH3
 
A no-nonsense, rustic and atmospheric pub with live folk music every night, The Sandy Bells is renowned for its friendly staff and equally affable customers. You can even bring along your fiddle and join in the fun. A great venue to impress your overseas visitors!
 The Sandy Bells, Forrest Road, Old Town EH1
 
 
Dating back to the 1800’s, Café Royal Circle Bar is the main bar of the famous Café Royal. Full of beautifully preserved Victoriana, lots of gorgeous stained glass and original Doulton tiles. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was reputed to be a regular.
 
Café Royal Circle Bar, 17 West Register St., EH2 0131 556 4124
 
 
 

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sarahjohnson's picture
Submitted by sarahjohnson on 29 November 2008 - 12:00pm.

For a good, friendly, pub that does good food I like The Mitre on the High Street. Usually has music in the evening too. Friendly staff.