Tonic
- Food served: Wed–Sun noon–9pm.
- Bar open: Mon & Tue 4pm–1am; Wed–Sun noon–1am.
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 12
- Also offers: Outdoor tables, Live music
- Music on stereo: Lounge, hip-hop, modern, accoustic
- Capacity: 103 - standing
- Largest group: 20 - seated
- Open since: 2000
- House wine: £12 per bottle
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The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.
Update: subsequent to the publication of this review, Tonic is once again serving food with a tapas menu available Wednesday to Sundays, noon to 9pm. Tonic celebrated a decade in Edinburgh in 2010 by changing its focus. The brief food menu is no longer offered, and the simple, streamlined drinks list has been replaced by a somewhat bewildering array of 30 cocktails split up into 5 sections. It’s clear that a lot of thought has gone into the range of drinks, and that the cocktail rule book has been studied and then shelved. Most offerings feature an unusually infused spirit as the base of the drink, such as leathery bourbon or chilli Campari. These odd and interesting concoctions are confidently served with some hits and some misses. The cocktail classics are all here, but with twists and additions – The Bronx is deconstructed into an intense citrus bomb while the Beezillian takes the Caipirinha in a new direction with honey and vermouth in the mix. A peculiar pastiche of style bar, sports joint (there is a very large TV) and cocktail lair, Tonic appears to be having an identity crisis, but with such enthusiastic staff perhaps this can be forgiven.
Reviews of Tonic (34 North Castle Street, Edinburgh)
- 4. yesyoucan!, Marchmont – 24 August 2011, 5:50pm
TonicReport -
LOVE TONIC....relaxed and chilling outside under the heat lamps with a cocktail in hand and the sound of good live music in the background.. a real good place to visit on a thursday or monday evening when they have a speakeasy and live music.. although i've been at the weekend for tapas and their resisdent DJ and had just a good a time!! food was pretty awesome too... recommend.
- 3. OUTANDABOUTMAN, EDINBURGH – 24 August 2011, 5:13pm
TonicReport -
Been to TONIC twice in the past week, had a great experience, had food and cocktails both times. The Tapas kitchen has a good menu, thats got a lot to choose from, the portion sizes were reasonable and the price was acceptable for the atmosphere, quality and location. The cocktails as always were great, the bartender, liam i think, was funny and attentive.. if you've not been here...go... but i'd recommend later on in the evening as there's more of an atmosphere...
- 2. COCK-TAILS, Edinburgh – 2 July 2011, 10:12pmTonicReport
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Top bar - Not been in ages as I had a bad experience a few years ago, but since it's changed owners it's a lot better - more organised. The staff were chilled and fun, the cocktail menu was still very creative and interesting and the music was just right for finishing up after work. The price is to be expected for the good location in town but well worth it if you know what your talking about with cocktails. The bartenders showed some good flair tricks and had those at the quite entertained... i'll go back a bit more often now..
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