The Permit Room bar is an often forgotten, hidden treasure tucked away underneath the super popular Dishoom. Not only does The Permit Room pack a punch in terms of its drink menu, but it is also sure to satisfy those who appreciate a stylish drinking establishment. The dark wood panelling with frosted glass dividers, mahogany bar complete with a spectacular cabinet of bottles and jars of interesting concoctions stretching up to the ceiling, and the wooden fans spin on the ceiling, transport you to imperial India. The bar has a slightly theatrical twist too with artwork and decorative features inspired by the Bombay tradition of Parsi Theatre. Fans of the restaurant upstairs will recognise the characteristic incense burning, creating a slightly foggy atmosphere – or maybe that was the cocktails?
Despite often being used as a waiting room of eager diners waiting for a much anticipated table in the upstairs restaurant, The Permit Room is a real drinker’s bar and once the dinner time rush has subsided post 9-pm, this becomes a buzzing nightspot. It’s also open until 3-am for those real late night owls!
The Permit Room is sophisticated without being pretentious, bustling without being over-crowded, plus boasts an inventive drinks menu that competes as one of the best in a city resplendent with great cocktail joints. The physical menu itself draws inspiration from Bombay in the 1950’s and is reminiscent of an old-fashioned theatre production programme, whilst the name of the bar is based upon the Bombay Prohibition Act of 1949, which states that all tipplers be required to have a permit to consume alcohol (and only for the preservation of one’s health of course). The bar staff are attentive and knowledgeable, and most impressively willing to share this knowledge too – they may know their stuff but there is no snobbyness here. Guests can enjoy live DJs on weekend nights too, perfect for those nights you aren’t quite ready to go home just yet.
On our visit we were lucky to sample two of The Permit Room’s favourite tipples. First up Viceroy’s Old-Fashioned, served in a bottle for your own pouring. The drink is fashioned from a muddle of bottle-aged Woodford Reserve bourbon, a bay leaf reduction and green tea which makes for a smooth and silky take on a classic drink. Secondly, we sampled the bar’s own spicy twist on the Espresso Martini. A delicious pick me-up with quite the kick at the end. Who says it is only chocolate that goes with coffee?
For the designated drivers, the bars selection of ‘copy tipples’ are impressively good too, going well above and beyond the usual ‘mocktails’ normally on offer. On the menu you will find alcohol-free versions of a Whisky Sour, Martini and Old Fashioned, all of which include a 100% alcohol free spirit essence, offering genuine flavour and sensation without the side effects.
There is something about this bar and its illicit feel, that make you feel a bit mischievous drinking here and that you have maybe been let in on Edinburgh’s biggest secret.
Web: www.dishoom.com/permitroom
