Whether you are new to the drink or a dedicated lover of gin, Edinburgh has plenty of choice of gin bars for you to go and try out. Edinburgh is also home to numerous cocktail bars and cosy pubs, but if you are determined to try the city’s gin solely, then you’ve come to the right place! Here are 9 of the best gin bars in Edinburgh.
1. Heads & Tales
Established in 2014, Heads & Tales is a bar that specialises in gin cocktails but also serves a wide range of beers and wines if you happen to have enough of their gin. They describe themselves as “Edinburgh’s hidden gem” on their website and are well-known throughout the city. Enjoy a glass of their gin whilst you watch their gin distilling, and their staff impart their extensive gin knowledge to you! The bar is one of the best places to learn about gin in the city, with masterclasses on offer for £25 on what makes the perfect gin. You will also be able to taste four gin samples and a gin and tonic of your own choosing.
2. Juniper
Located at the heart of Edinburgh in Princes Street, Juniper is the place to go if you are looking to enjoy a sophisticated gin in a relaxing setting. Juniper offers a wide range of gins and prides itself on the fact that many of them are from local distilleries. Juniper also offers a range of snacks to satisfy your cravings that will accompany your glass of gin perfectly.
3. The Jolly Botanist
This bar can definitely say that it has a wide range of gins on offer, with a whole eight pages of the menu filled with multiple choices of gin drinks to choose from. The Jolly Botanist is situated at the West End of Haymarket and was even voted “Best New Pub” in 2015. As well as gin and other alcoholic beverages, they offer main meals and snacks on the menu too so you can enjoy a delicious dinner before you begin tasting their great gins.
4. Bramble Bar & Lounge
Described as an “upscale cocktail bar in an understated, subterranean venue, serving classic and nouveau concoctions” this bar offers a range of gins as well as other drinks. However, they are unfortunately closed at the moment due to the coronavirus pandemic, but you can still have their drinks delivered to your home by ordering from www.mothershipscotland.com .
5. The Royal Dick Bar
This bar has an unusual setting in an old animal hospital, allowing you to enjoy their delicious range of gins and snacks amongst some old artwork and veterinary artefacts. The bar also offers a gin tour, and the unusual setting makes for a very cool atmosphere to enjoy a drink with friends in. The remnants of the building’s former life make it a very quirky bar that is like no other.
6. Dragonfly
Winner of Trip Advisor’s Traveller’s Choice 2020, this cocktail bar is a little out of the town, situated in West Port, is worth the extra walk for. It boasts an array of cocktails on its menu that are all handcrafted before you. There are DJ sessions over the weekends, making it a great bar for both night-outs and a quiet catch up with mates.
7. Panda & Sons
Opened in 2013, this bar is so popular that they recommend that you book a table in advance, it is so popular! They offer a great range of gins as well as wines and beers, and the staff are very knowledgeable on their cocktails and are great at recommending one for you.
8. 56 North
Scotland’s original gin bar, 56 North now also offers great food and a working distillery as well as Scottish Gin and Cheese classes. This is not just any ordinary gin bar, enjoy a cheese tasting session with your delightful gin and learn more about the creation of your favourite drink. They hold regular tasting sessions and masterclasses, but you can also book private sessions for you and your friends to enjoy the experience in private.
9. One Square
This bar offers the ultimate gin tasting experience; you will get to learn all of the botanicals and junipers that create the perfect gin and expand your knowledge on the beverage. However, the best part of the entire experience is that you will be given the opportunity to batch your own miniature gin from a barrel that you can take away home with you! This experience costs £35 per person and is well worth every penny!
