Finding whisky in Edinburgh is easy; the hard part is choosing where to have a dram. We’ll help you pick the best pubs and bars for whisky in Edinburgh.
Soon after arriving, you’ll notice that the city’s streets are packed with pubs and, as you’d expect in Scotland’s capital, most of them have a wide range of whiskies. To learn what you’re drinking first, join our whisky tasting tour in Edinburgh.
Tips for ordering whisky in Edinburgh
If you don’t know what to order, don’t worry. In most good whisky bars in Edinburgh, the staff are used to helping beginners. Tell them if you prefer something smooth, smoky, sweet, fruity or intense and ask for a recommendation.
You don’t always have to drink it neat. Many Scots add a few drops of water, and you’ll also find whisky cocktails in more modern bars.
Some useful words
Dram: a measure of whisky.
Single malt: whisky made at a single distillery from malted barley.
Blended whisky: a blend of malt whisky and grain whisky.
Peated whisky: whisky with smoky notes, typical of areas such as Islay.
Neat: on its own, with no ice or mixer.
With water: with a few drops of water, very common to open up the aromas.
Which whisky to try in Edinburgh
If it’s your first time, start with a smooth Speyside or Highland whisky. Ask for a specific recommendation, as the style varies between distilleries and bottlings.
If you’re after smoke and peat, ask for a smoky Islay whisky (the island also makes unpeated styles). It doesn’t always win you over at first, but it’s one of the most characteristic experiences of Scotch whisky.
You can also order a whisky flight, one of the best ways to compare styles without ordering full measures. Many flights include whiskies from different regions, which really helps you understand the differences.
Our recommendations
In this list you’ll find some of the city’s most iconic pubs, where you can enjoy a glass of whisky, or a dram as they call it here, in the best atmosphere.
Here is our selection of the best places to drink whisky in Edinburgh.
1. The Bow Bar
80 West Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2HH
At the bottom of Victoria Street, this pub has one of the largest whisky collections in Edinburgh. It’s a classic pub where, as well as great whiskies, you can try an excellent selection of traditional Scottish ales.
Don’t hesitate to ask the bar staff for help, as choosing from so many can be tricky.
2. The Devil’s Advocate
9 Advocate’s Close, Edinburgh EH1 1ND
Hidden in one of the narrow closes off the Royal Mile, this small bar will surprise you with a great list of whiskies and ales, which you can pair with some of the most typical Scottish dishes.
Industrial-style decor and very friendly staff. A perfect place to spend an evening tasting the best Scotch whisky.
3. Kaleidoscope Bar / The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
28 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JX
Kaleidoscope Bar is part of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, one of the most interesting institutions for whisky lovers. Although the Society is a members’ club, the ground-floor bar is open to non-members too, making it a great option if you want to try special whiskies without joining.
The big difference from other bars is the kind of whisky you’ll find. The Society bottles single cask whiskies, often exclusively, so the experience can be very different from ordering a well-known brand in an ordinary pub.
It’s especially recommended if you already like whisky and want to try something more unusual, or if you want a tasting and expert advice.
The atmosphere is calmer and more elegant than many Old Town pubs, a good alternative if you want a more relaxed experience in the New Town.
4. The Café Royal
19 West Register Street, Edinburgh EH2 2AA
The Café Royal has a Victorian interior full of detail, a central stop for a whisky near Waverley Station.
Look out for the decorative tile murals, the stained glass and the bar: the setting is as much part of the visit as the drinks.
5. Whiski Rooms
4-7 North Bank Street, Edinburgh EH1 2LP
Whiski Rooms is a very convenient choice if you want to combine whisky, Scottish food and a central location. It’s very close to Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, so it fits into any walk around the Old Town.
It’s a restaurant, whisky bar and shop, so you can eat, try several whiskies or buy a bottle to take home. The selection is huge and they run tastings, which makes it a great option for beginners.
Unlike more purist bars, Whiski Rooms is easy for visitors who want a simple, accessible experience. Ask for advice, try a Scotch with local food or book a tasting if you want to learn more.
If you’re near the Castle and want a very practical place to try whisky without leaving the centre, Whiski Rooms is a safe bet.
6. Johnnie Walker Princes Street
145 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 4BL
Johnnie Walker Princes Street isn’t a traditional pub but a whisky visitor experience. It’s right on Princes Street, in a huge building with views of the Castle, and has become one of the most popular ways to discover the world of whisky in a modern, interactive way.
You can take tours and tastings, try whisky cocktails, visit the shop or head up to the rooftop bar. It’s a more commercial, organised experience than sitting in a pub, but very convenient if you’re travelling with people who aren’t big whisky fans, or want something more visual and easy to understand.
The rooftop bar is one of its highlights, especially for the views of the Castle and the Old Town. Great for a special drink at the end of the day.
7. Whiski Bar & Restaurant
119 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SG
Whiski Bar & Restaurant is right on the Royal Mile, one of the most convenient options for whisky while visiting the Old Town. It’s a Scottish bar and restaurant aimed at visitors, with traditional food, live music and a long whisky list.
A good choice if you want to try whisky in a lively, touristy atmosphere, especially if you also fancy haggis, fish and chips or other Scottish dishes. It doesn’t have the intimacy of other pubs, but it’s very practical and easy to find.
The live music makes it more fun, so if you want a full Scottish night of food, whisky and atmosphere on the Royal Mile, it works very well.
8. The Last Drop
74-78 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JR
The Last Drop is on the Grassmarket, near the city’s old place of execution. Its name recalls that past, although the stories about condemned prisoners having their last whisky here are part of local folklore.
A convenient stop for a whisky during a walk around the Old Town, while enjoying the atmosphere of the square.
9. The Black Cat
168 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 4BA
On Rose Street, The Black Cat is a small bar with a good selection of Scotch whiskies. Ask the staff for help choosing a style to suit your taste.
It’s also known for its folk music sessions. Check what’s on if you want to combine whisky with live music.
10. The Ensign Ewart
521-523 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PE
Very close to the Castle, The Ensign Ewart is a pub specialising in whisky, with bottles to interest both beginners and experienced fans.
Ask about recommendations and tastings. It’s a handy stop as you walk down from the Castle Esplanade to the Lawnmarket.
11. Waverley Bar
3-5 St Mary’s Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TA
The Waverley Bar is a traditional pub just off the Royal Mile, on St Mary’s Street, with a Victorian frontage and a close connection to the city’s music and cultural life.
As well as a dram, ask about their whisky tastings. Its name is a nod to Sir Walter Scott’s novel.
12. The World’s End
2-8 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TB
The World’s End is a pub at the bottom of the High Street, handy for a whisky and some pub food during a walk along the Royal Mile.
Its name refers to the old city limit at the Netherbow Port, a good place to imagine how the city wall once separated Edinburgh from the then independent Canongate. Learn more about whisky at the Scotch Whisky Experience.
