The Raging Bull is Edinburgh’s home of Coffee Cocktails, located on city centre Lothian Road, the bar is set to offer guests an upbeat vibe by day and relaxed atmosphere by night . Owner, Nick Madigan, gives us the lowdown on the new place to get your caffeine fix!
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Tell us more about the concept and why you chose to bring it to Edinburgh?
The growth of coffee has been exponential in recent years, and I don’t expect it to slow down. More coffee roasters have emerged and the demand for quality local cafes remains high throughout Edinburgh. Drinks trends have indicated that coffee based alcoholic drinks are going to become even more popular in the next few years. Coffee flavoured alcohol is nothing new; coffee liqueurs such as Tia Maria and Kahlua, have been around for a long time but we have set out to bring the relationship between coffee and alcohol closer together.
Most bars offer espresso martinis however we wanted to develop a coffee based cocktail menu that pushed the boundaries of taste.
The menu will continue to grow each year, as we experiment with different tastes. We will have drinks on the menu you will most likely not find anywhere else.
For those who may not like coffee or at least not in their alcohol, we do have a range of other cocktails on menu that do not contain coffee, such as ‘Not quite Hemingway’, a twist on a classic using gin rather than Rum, ‘White Chocolate Martini’ is proving to be a favourite already and ‘Nutty Berry’ is our rather glamorous Winter sparkling cocktail.
Tell us more about the eccentric yet good-natured fellow ‘The Bull’ where did the idea come from and how does he appear and influence the bar?
First, we wanted to create a fictional character with a personality to lead the brand.
The idea came from passing a field of Highland cows when we were visiting my wife’s family in Aberdeenshire. They are striking animals and I always love to see them in the fields. To cut a long story short that started a chain of thought processes which eventually led to the creation of The Raging Bull.
We went on to add the anthropomorphic traits; a smoking jacket, naturally sipping on a cocktail whilst situated in glamorous surroundings to create his personality. We think he is a fun and admirable character that one would wish to spend their time in a bar drinking with.
It all came together from there. Sometimes after weeks, months of processing ideas it just fell into place. In terms of our interior style we have created an eclectic speakeasy vibe with a unique blend of natural stone, vintage tassel light pendants, adorned with plants and a splash of neon signage!
What sort of vibe does the bar have?
The bar has a warm and intimate feel, created with candlelight and cosy romantic tables.
Sunday-Thursday we open at 4pm the bar has a relaxed atmosphere you can expect a nice chilled vibe and music to suit.
Friday and Saturday, we open at 12pm and as it builds up throughout the day the vibe is more upbeat, we try to create an atmosphere for people wanting to enjoy their night out.
Who visits The Raging Bull?
Being a city centre bar, we have wide variety of visitors from couples to large groups of all ages. Throughout the week we have a mixture of residents from the local area, students and custom from people who work in the area. As well as many tourists from the surrounding hotels and industry employees who work in the surrounding bars and restaurant.
The bar hosts private parties and cocktail masterclasses – tell us more about what a guest will experience with each of these offerings?
Our basement bar is available to hire free of charge for people to enjoy Birthday Parties, leaving nights, work night outs, Wedding Parties anything and everything really. It is great space that holds up to 60 people with your own private bar and servers. You are not disturbed by other customers and you can play your own music. Given our city centre location there are not may other spaces that offer this in the city centre.
Our cocktail masterclasses are taken by one of our experienced mixologists. These are fun interactive sessions and you can leave with some new skills for your next cocktail party at home!
We offer two packages:
Silver package: The instruction and making of two cocktails from a pre-selected list and a shaken shot on completion of course for £20.00 per person.
Gold package: A welcome glass of Fizz on arrival, the instruction and making of two cocktails from a pre-selected list, a shaken shot on completion of course, along with sharing finger food for £27 per person.
Lothian Road is really developing into a social hub with a great range of bars and restaurants – tell us why you chose this location and what you like most about it.
We have actually operated the bar for the past 5 years under a different name but decided to rebrand as The Raging Bull. I grew up in Marchmont an area not far from the bar, so I know this part of town really well. We took a chance on what was a run-down old pub five years ago partly because we were aware of the development that lay ahead in the area. Today the area is just getting better every year and that was one of the main considerations when we decided to launch The Raging Bull. What I love most about it is you are 5-10 minutes from the Grassmarket, George street, Princess street and Bruntsfield. The location is perfect.
What’s your favourite drink on the menu and why?
My favourite is “I’ll have what she’s having!” For two reasons it contains Whisky which is my spirit of choice and because it pushes the boundaries of flavours and tastes and comes to together perfectly.
It mixes Monkey Shoulder whisky, Tia Maria and fresh espresso stirred down then smoked with hickory wood giving it a Smokey and strong taste.
Top tips for a first-time visitor to Edinburgh?
If you want to get out of the city centre hustle and bustle then find time to visit Bruntsfield and Stockbridge, they each have many really good coffee shops, so they are great places to relax with a cup of coffee and slice of cake.
Finally, where / what is your Hidden Edinburgh?
Blackford Hill, I love to go running here in the summer, with amazing views of Edinburgh at the top.
Find our more about The Raging Bull here:
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Address: 161 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9AA
Tel: 0131 228 5558
