It’s hard to walk around Edinburgh without stumbling on a new bar you haven’t tried, but some are more challenging to unearth than others. Impress your friends with Hidden Edinburgh’s favourite secret bars from around the city.
Panda and Sons
You might not realize this bar even exists! Camouflaged behind a vintage barbershop façade, visitors have to descend the staircase and open the bookcase to find this spacious, prohibition era speakeasy. Cocktails are served in vintage cut crystal, teacups and tin cans. The bar itself is dimly lit and moody, but always has a party atmosphere. Our favourites from the creative cocktail selection are the Robinson Crusoe for a Scottish inspired tipple, or the Emperors New Clothes, an epic take on the Mojito.
Address: 79 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 4NF
Web: pandaandsons.com
Hoot The Redeemer
Blink and you might miss it. The surreptitious entrance to Hoot the Redeemer is only known to a few. Even if you manage to find your way down the stairs, you still need to work out how to get passed the mysterious tarot card reader in your midst, but push her aside and you will find yourself in a buzzing underground funfair of a bar. Have a go at the claw crane machine and see if you can win yourself a cocktail, or maybe try a pot of alcoholic ice cream. Don’t miss the alcoholic slushies too!
Address: 7 Hanover St, Edinburgh EH2 1DJ
Web: hoottheredeemer.com
Lucky Liquor
From the creative minds behind Bramble and The Last Saloon, comes Lucky Liquor, the punchy younger sister bar on Queen Street. This one is small but sweet and always busy. Sticking to the ‘lucky’ theme, the spirit selection is restricted to only 13 bottles, and the 13-strong cocktail menu is well-edited and incorporates unusual, and often home-made ingredients. The bar also acts as an off-licence, selling every bottle and homemade product which is used in the bar, including equipment and glassware!
Address: 39A Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 3NH
Web: luckyliquorco.com
The Mousetrap
A self-described ‘dive-bar & cheese grill’ on Leith Walk, The Mousetrap pulls no punches. Fancy a game of pinball? The bar has all the arcade games of a 90s kid’s dreams! Live DJs fill the place with funky hip-hop and techno, and the ambiance is upbeat and unassuming, the crowd friendly and diverse. The décor hits you in the face as soon as you walk in, walls are adorned with a whole host of unique hangings and objects adding to the fantastically retro vibe. Don’t’ expect ostentatious cocktails here, but do expect a very fun evening!
Address: 180 Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH6 5EA
Web: facebook.com/themousetraped
The Voyage of Buck
You would be forgiven for believing the elaborate back story of the character who inspired The Voyage of Buck, but spoilers, it’s not true. This detail however, is just one aspect of what makes The Voyage of Buck such an intriguing place. Tucked away on William Street in the West End, this art deco bar inspirited with a 1920s vibe, is extremely stylish – get your sequins and best shoes out for this one. The cocktail menu is a huge 25 pages, meaning it will take you a good half hour to choose, but with award-winning bar tenders and a whole host of intventive ingredients, it will be worth the wait!
Address: 29-31 William St N E Ln, Edinburgh EH3 7NF
Web: thevoyageofbuckedinburgh.co.uk
Bryant & Mack Private Detectives
Inspired by Speakeasies in New York, Oslo and Berlin, Bryant & Mack is breathing a new lease of life into the Rose Street drinks scene, currently dominated by old-fashioned pubs. Continuing the trend of inconspicuous and concealed bars in the city, Bryant & Mack is disguised as a private detective agency, with frosted windows and a paint chipped door. You could easily pass this one by without a second glance, but this bar is definitely worth investigating! Serving ‘classics with a twist’, Bryant & Mac is low-key and cool without being pretentious.
Address: 87-89 Rose St, Edinburgh EH2 3DT
Web: facebook.com/bryantandmack
