Edinburgh’s pub scene is legendary, and for good reason. The city’s drinking establishments range from centuries-old taverns steeped in character to modern craft beer bars pushing boundaries with local brews.If you’re on the hunt for the coolest pubs in Edinburgh, you’ll discover a mix of classic whisky spots and trendy joints that the locals love for a good pint.
1. The Bow Bar
Tucked away on Victoria Street, The Bow Bar is everything a traditional Edinburgh pub should be. Dark wood panelling, no music, no televisions, just proper conversation and an exceptional drinks selection.
This quaint pub has built its reputation on an impressive selection of craft beers and cask ales, with rotating taps that showcase Scotland’s thriving brewing scene. The whisky collection isn’t half bad either, with over 300 malts lining the gantry behind the bar.The staff know their stuff and are happy to guide you through the beer or whisky menu.
2. Sandy Bells
If you’re after traditional Scottish music in its most authentic form, Sandy Bells is your destination. This Forest Road institution has been hosting folk sessions since 1943, and you can feel the history in every corner. The music here is spontaneous and real. Musicians simply turn up with their instruments, and sessions develop organically throughout the evening. You might hear fiddles, accordions, guitars, and voices blending in centuries-old tunes. Drinks are reasonably priced, and the atmosphere is welcoming to newcomers.
Show respect during sessions by keeping conversations quiet when musicians are playing. This is a listening room as much as a pub.
3. The Abbotsford
Step inside The Abbotsford on Rose Street and you’ve stepped back into Victorian Edinburgh. This magnificent pub dates from 1902 and retains its original mahogany island bar, ornate ceiling, and beautiful carved features.
The drinks menu respects tradition with well-kept cask ales and a serious whisky selection, but the kitchen deserves equal attention. The food here goes well beyond typical pub grub, offering Scottish classics prepared with care.
The Abbotsford gets busy at lunch and after-work hours with office workers and shoppers. Mid-afternoon offers a quieter window for soaking up the architectural details without the crowds.
4. Teuchters Bar
Teuchters (pronounced ‘chooch-ters’) occupies a former waiting room near the Water of Leith, and its beer garden might just be Edinburgh’s most surprising outdoor drinking space. The interior features church pews and an ecclesiastical feel that adds character.
The beer selection focuses on Scottish breweries, giving you a proper tour of the country’s craft beer scene in one sitting. The whisky list is equally Scotland-focused, with distilleries from every region represented.
5. The Albanach
Perched at the corner of Cockburn Street in the heart of the Old Town, The Albanach specializes in whisky with serious intent. This bar holds a solid collection of around 300 single malts, representing distilleries from Islay’s peaty powerhouses to Speyside’s elegant expressions. Staff here are passionate about Scottish whisky 🥃 and happy to help you navigate the extensive menu. Tell them what flavours you enjoy, and they’ll guide you toward something special.
6. Athletic Arms (The Diggers)
Just a short distance from the city centre near Haymarket, this pub offers an excellent whisky selection paired with delicious pies that have achieved cult status among Edinburgh drinkers. Locals know it as ‘The Diggers’, a name that hints at its working-class roots.
7. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Those pies aren’t just pub food filler. They’re properly good, with flaky pastry and generous fillings. The macaroni pie is a Scottish delicacy that might sound odd but tastes fantastic, especially after a few pints.
For serious whisky enthusiasts, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society represents the pinnacle of Edinburgh’s drinking scene. Located in a beautiful Georgian townhouse on Queen Street, this members’ club also welcomes non-members to experience their remarkable single cask bottlings. The Society bottles whisky from individual casks at cask strength, meaning you’re tasting exactly what came from that barrel with no dilution or modification. Each bottle is unique and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.
8. The Devil’s Advocate
Hidden down Old Town’s Advocates Close, this atmospheric basement bar champions Scottish spirits with particular focus on gin and whisky from smaller distilleries. The setting is dark and cosy, with exposed stone walls and intimate booth seating.
The food menu here punches above typical bar fare. Oysters, charcuterie, and seasonal Scottish ingredients feature heavily, making this a proper dining destination as well as a drinking spot.
Scotland’s gin is well represented here. The extensive gin menu includes familiar names and obscure craft distilleries experimenting with local botanicals. Staff can recommend pairings with premium tonics and garnishes that enhance each gin’s character.
9. The Cambridge Bar
This Young Street institution earned the nickname ‘The Cheeky Monkey’ decades ago and has maintained its character despite changing drinking fashions. It’s an old-fashioned pub in the best sense, with wood panelling, dim lighting, and a focus on conversation over screens.
The cask ale selection is excellent, with guest beers rotating regularly alongside permanent favourites. It’s the kind of place where you pop in for one pint and somehow end up closing the place.
10. The Hanging Bat
Craft beer fans should make The Hanging Bat on Lothian Road a priority. This modern beer bar features rotating taps showcasing the best of Scottish and international brewing, with a particular talent for securing rare kegs. The upstairs restaurant serves beer-friendly food with an American BBQ influence, though the ground-floor bar is perfect for casual drinking without the full dining commitment.
Check their schedule for tap takeovers and meet-the-brewer events. These sessions offer chances to try limited releases and chat with the people behind the beers.
11. Sheep Heid Inn
Claiming to be Edinburgh’s oldest pub (established 1360), the Sheep Heid Inn sits in the village-like area of Duddingston. The journey here takes you away from tourist Edinburgh into a quieter, more residential part of the city.
Inside, you’ll find a cosy restaurant area and a public bar that maintains traditional pub character. The real novelty is the skittles alley at the back, one of the oldest in Scotland.
12. Bennet’s Bar
Bennet’s Bar near the King’s Theatre is a Victorian gem that’s somehow escaped major modernization. The tiled exterior and ornate carved wooden interior transport you straight back to the late 1800s.
This is a proper Edinburgh local serving well-kept beer and generous measures of whisky to a mixed crowd of 🎭 theatre-goers, students, and neighbourhood regulars. The atmosphere is convivial without being rowdy.
Arrive before a show at the King’s Theatre for a drink in surroundings far more interesting than the theatre bar. The staff are used to keeping an eye on the time and giving gentle reminders when curtain-up approaches.
13. The Doric
Upstairs on Market Street, The Doric combines traditional pub with restaurant ambitions. The bar area offers the classic Edinburgh pub experience, while the dining room serves Scottish food with French influences. The drinks list balances Scottish whisky and beer with a well-chosen wine selection that complements the menu. This makes it a rare find: somewhere you can have either a casual pint or a proper dinner.
14. The Golf Tavern
Overlooking Bruntsfield Links (one of the world’s oldest short-hole golf🏌️♂️ courses), The Golf Tavern combines sports bar atmosphere with traditional pub character. The large windows offer views across the green space toward the city skyline.
It’s popular with golfers finishing their rounds and locals from the surrounding Bruntsfield area. The food menu covers pub classics done well, and the Sunday roast has a strong reputation.
15. The Last Word Saloon
This intimate cocktail bar on St Stephen Street focuses on quality over quantity. The drinks menu changes with the seasons, incorporating Scottish ingredients and spirits into creative 🍸 cocktails that respect classic techniques. The setting is cosy and conversation-focused, with skilled bartenders who take time to understand what you enjoy before recommending drinks. It’s the opposite of a high-volume party bar, and all the better for it.
The best pubs in Edinburgh aren’t just places to drink; they’re social institutions where centuries of Scottish hospitality continue in daily practice. Start with these favourites, but don’t be afraid to wander down a side street and discover your own hidden gem.
