Bars and Pubs

17 amazing spots for a delicious breakfast or brunch

Edinburgh pub Sandy Bell’s is considered to be something of a local institution - but singer Barbara Dickson is less than impressed with some of the musicians it attracts today.

Barbara Dickson 'upset' by musicians 'making a racket' in city pub

Edinburgh pubs Cloisters Bar and The Stockbridge Tap have both been put up for sale.

Two iconic Edinburgh pubs go up for sale

The Botanist, located in St Andrew's Hall just beside St James Quarter in Edinburgh, is giving away free Christmas cocktails.

City bar giving away Christmas cocktails – here's how to get one

The Scottish Licensed Trade News (SLTN) Awards took place in Glasgow, witj TV star James Corden presenting some of the prizes.

James Corden presents founders of 'legendary' Edinburgh bar with award

Home Bar, which is located on Home Street in Edinburgh, is up for sale.

City pub known for delicious cocktails, quiz and live music for sale

Popular pub up for sale days after owners share 'heartbreaking' news

The Bullfinch, located on Bath Road in Edinburgh, has been put up for sale.

Brilliant wee pub' with cosy beer garden is put up for sale

Porty Vault, on Edinburgh's Portobello High Street, will close its doors in December.

Locals gutted' after popular city bar announces 'sad' closure

The iconic Goblin Ha' Hotel, located in Gifford, East Lothian, is up for sale.

'Iconic' bar and restaurant with huge beer garden up for sale

The owners of the Old Chain Pier in Edinburgh shared video footage after one of their window was smashed.

Angry pub owner shares video after 'thug' smashes window with stool

Clark's Bar, on Dundas Street in Edinburgh, is set to reopen under new management.

Iconic pub to reopen after locals were left 'gutted' by shock closure

The Queens Arms, on Frederick Street in Edinburgh, has been named as the UK's ‘most affordable cosy pub’.

'Hidden jewel' pub crowned 'UK's cheapest bar for cosy winter pints'

The Black Fox pub in Edinburgh has gone on the market.

'Bustling little bar' on one of city's busiest streets up for sale

The Torphichen Inn, a pub located in the historical village of Torphichen near Bathgate, is for sale.

Popular pub with 'storied history dating back to 1872' for sale

JD Wetherspoon has revealed when the Foot of the Walk bar in Edinburgh will close.

JD Wetherspoon shares the exact date historic pub will close its doors
A giant Edinburgh pub has revealed the exact date it will close its doors for the very last time – despite a petition to save it.
Gary Flockhart

Founded in 1997, Why Not has been a student favourite for many years and has been crowned the best nightclub in Scotland on three occasions. Situated beneath the Dome Bar & Grill, the club boasts four luxurious party booths, Scotland’s only LED Room and a heated outdoor courtyard

The 10 best bars and nightclubs according to students

Iconic city hotel set to open new cocktail bar and restaurant

Edinburgh pub The Black Bull, which closed in February 2024, is set to reopen as Penny Black in the next few weeks. Generic bar photo: Pixabay

Pub goers share memories of infamous 'dive bar' as return is announced

Ballie Ballerson, a ball pit cocktail bar located on Forrest Road in Edinburgh, has permanently closed.

Biggest cocktail bar in city announces closure 'with so much sadness'

The Cavalier Inn, in Armadale, West Lothian, has been put up for sale due to the owners' upcoming retirement.

Beloved pub up for sale as owners retire after four decades

Westside Rodeo, a country-themed pop-up bar at 51A George Street in Edinburgh, opens for a limited time from Friday, September 27.

New pub with country music, cowboy hats and cocktails opens today

Iain McPherson (centre), who owns Edinburgh bar Panda & Sons, has won the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2024.

Edinburgh pub owner is crowned as the 'world's best bartender'

Located on Rose Street, Manahatta promises to bring 'NYC-style vibes' to Edinburgh when it opens its doors.

Glamorous New York-inspired cocktail bar shares opening date

Fork and Field, a popular pub in Mid Calder, West Lothian, shared the sad news of its closure on Friday, September 20.

Popular pub announces sudden closure with a 'heavy heart'

The Burrow, a stylish new whisky and cocktail bar located just off the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, opens on Friday, 13 September.

First look at new whisky & cocktail bar with original Banksy artwork

A new Brass Monkey pub is set to open at the former site of Jessie May's in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh. Photos: Left, Councillor Ross McKenzie; right, Jessie May's

Iconic pub group set to open new venue at site of much-missed bar
More than a few Edinburgh locals will have turned up at the wrong pub to meet pals after the words “meet me at the Brass Monkey” were uttered.
Gary Flockhart

The Torino Cafe and Bar, located at Restalrig Road in Edinburgh, is up for sale.

Popular pub that Hibs fans flocked to before matches up for sale

The Greenmantle, located in the Newington area of Edinburgh, will close its doors on Saturday, September 7.

Pub announces 'sad closure' as customers invited to 'farewell party'

Edinburgh bar Black Ivy won the prize for 'best outdoor area' at the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards 2024.

City pub wins 'best beer garden in Scotland' award for 2024

Landlord announces 'amazing news' day after 'last night' celebrations

Clark's Bar on Dundas Street in Edinburgh will close on Friday until a new tenant is found for the historic pub.

Owners of historic city pub say 125-year-old venue could be saved

Clark's Bar, on Dundas Street in Edinburgh, is to close its doors.

Historic Edinburgh pub announces shock closure after 125 years

Locals to nominate favourite pubs for Edinburgh Bar Awards 2024

Staff at Revolution bar in Edinburgh have revealed the venue's exact closing date on social media.

Exact date giant city pub will close as 'sad' announcement is made

Shakespeare’s on Lothian Road in Edinburgh has been turned into The Napier Graduate as students celebrate their graduation in the Capital.

Historic Edinburgh pub is renamed after student takeover of venue

Innovative cocktail bar combines drinks, small plates and storytelling

An Edinburgh city centre pub has been named as one of the best places in the UK to watch Euro 2024.

Edinburgh pub in top 10 list of UK's best places to watch Euro 2024

Innis & Gunn offer lager lovers the chance to win their own bar

These two ladies certainly enjoyed themselves at the soft opening event on Wednesday, March 28 at Ruma.

First look inside Edinburgh's new rum bar

66-year-old Mather's West End barmaid Liz Taylor is set for retirement, 36 years after she started working there.

I've enjoyed every minute of my 36 years behind the bar

Found in Bruntsfield Place, Montpeliers serves brunch scran like The Full Monty - Chargrilled chicken, Christies pork sausages, Ayrshire bacon, eggs, potato scone, Scottish minute steak, Heatherfield haggis, black pudding, tomato - as well as pancakes, breakfast butties and more. Photo: Montpeliers

17 of Edinburgh's brunch or breakfast spots

The haggis is piped in at the 'world's biggest burns supper' at Edinburgh's Corn Exchange in 2003.

14 old photos of Burns Night celebrations in Edinburgh

Island Poke interior

Restaurant Review: Island Poke, Edinburgh

The Johnnie Walker Experience in Princes Street offers panoramic views of Edinburgh and delicious whisky cocktails with its 1820 rooftop bar. One visitor gave the venue a five-star review on Google, and wrote: "Great selection of cocktails, friendly staff and amazing view from the roof."

7 of the best rooftop bars in the Capital

Nobles, a Victorian-style cafe-bar in Leith, allows customers to bring in dogs during the day. One visitor described the venue as "a really nice place in Leith to grab something to eat or just to have a few drinks". They continued: "As lot of places in Leith, the place is dog friendly so you can bring your furry friends too".

The 10 best dog friendly pubs

IMF Honorary Committee members Phil Rosenthal (L) and Monica Rosenthal (R) and Lily Rosenthal attend the International Myeloma Foundation's 7th Annual Comedy Celebration Benefiting The Peter Boyle Research Fund hosted by Ray Romano at The Wilshire Ebell Theatre on November 9, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images for IMF)

Interview: Somebody Feed Phil star, Phil Rosenthal

This is just one of several restaurant chains that locals want to open in Edinburgh. Turtle Bay, which serves up flavourful Caribbean food and tropical cocktails, has 51 venues across the nation.

The 12 businesses our readers want to see in Edinburgh

This Prohibition-style speakeasy bar hidden in the heart of Edinburgh, on Queen Street, is known for its delicious and creative cocktails. On the menu are many gin inventions, including the Tian Tian - which combines boutique gin with absinthe and pea cordial - and the Strange Beauty - a martini-like creation with a Greek salad cordial mixed in. One reviewer wrote: "What a find. A gin cocktail bar behind a bookcase below a 'barbers shop'".

The eight best gin bars in Edinburgh

Diners can enjoy a pint and a curry in the sun at The Radhuni - an Indian restaurant on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

Indian restaurant re-opens 'oasis' outdoor garden

This busy pub is Greene King's best-rated venue in Edinburgh. The Festival, which has a five star rating on Google, is located on Morrison Street, near Edinburgh Haymarket Station, making it a perfect spot for travellers and commuters.

All the local Greene King pubs rated best to worst

Chaakoo Bombay Cafe will open a restaurant on Edinburgh's Lothian Road, after seeing success at its two Glasgow venues.

Popular Indian restaurant to open in city centre

You can celebrate Beyoncé's arrival in Edinburgh with a free lemonade from ASK Italian on Shandwick Place.

Italian restaurant to serve free lemonade to Beyoncé fans

This burger chain has several branches in Edinburgh, including a convenient venue for shoppers at Fort Kinnaird. Bread Meats Bread has been named as having one of the top 50 burgers in the world. One happy customer left a five star review on Google, writing: "One of the best burgers I've ever had. Perfectly cooked, great local ingredients and the sauce and toppings were amazing. My new favourite place!"

The 9 best restaurants at Fort Kinnaird - according to reviews

Good Brothers Wine Bar on Dean Street, which serves up natural wines to locals in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh, will close later this month.

Popular wine bar set to close doors next week