Pubs & bars and Budget
- King Tut's Wah Wah Hut
A legendary live music venue serving cosmopolitan pub food - Valvona & Crolla VinCaffé
Classic Italian cooking using the finest ingredients and a tasting list of over 50 wines by the glass - Maggie Mays
Outstanding contemporary Scottish restaurant, with a bustling bar and all-year entertainment - El Bar
Edinburgh's only dedicated flamenco Spanish tapas bar!
Chinaski's
239 North Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7DL
Named after a Charles Bukowski alter ego, Chinaski’s maintains its underground roots by eschewing any signage on the exterior in an effort to deter large groups of rowdy drinkers from nearby Sauchiehall Street. During daylight hours the bar is bright…
The Basement Bar and Restaurant
10–12a Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RH
Situated below street level, this bar looks like the sort of place American sitcom characters would head for after a hard day’s mirth-making, thanks to the obligatory neon sign, mustard-coloured walls and staff dressed in Hawaiian shirts. It could be…
The Cloisters
26 Brougham Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9JH
Despite the name and former-church setting, the only monks you’ll find in The Cloisters are those behind the bar – in the form of guest beers like the fruity (and potent) Westmalle, brewed by Belgian Trappists. They’d no doubt approve of the no-frills…
The King's Wark
36 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QU
First and foremost the King’s Wark is a good, solid pub. The dark wood tables and floors have been lovingly restored, Scottish ales are served on tap and the bar is well-stocked with a healthy combination of pub classics and well-selected imports. The…
Bennets Bar
8 Leven Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9LG
Established in 1875, Bennets feels reassuringly as if little has changed in over a century. This is not the place to come looking for lattes, cocktails or wi-fi. It is most definitely somewhere to come and see the original Victorian fittings of the…
The Holyrood 9A
9a Holyrood Road,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8AE
If you can’t remember your last really great burger, head to Holyrood Road to have your faith in the patty renewed. Savouries are split between ‘one’ and ‘two handers’ – the former being edible with a fork while chatting, the latter needing both hands…
2 Picardy Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3JT
With its Coronation Street-aping sign, its dual-aspect floor to ceiling windows and the big iron ramp which stretches almost the length of the bar and back, the Street is a landmark pub in the Broughton/Picardy Place area. Its main business is a more…
Cruz Bar and Restaurant
14 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QN
A First World War minesweeper boat anchored right at the heart of Leith’s bustling Shore district, Cruz has to be among the most distinctive drinking venues in Edinburgh. A popular watering hole with the area’s young party crowd, Cruz serves up an…
Barioja
15-19 Jeffrey Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DR
Barioja has been dishing out its albondigas for over a decade, so could be considered a pioneer of the still relatively youthful Edinburgh tapas scene. Sitting alongside its big sister restaurant, Iggs, it’s seen competition come and go over the years…
The Espy
62–64 Bath Street, Portobello,
Edinburgh,
EH15 1HF
It might officially be the Esplanade, but ‘The Espy’ – ideally delivered with an Antipodean twang – as it's better known, suits this laid-back beach bar better. With friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere it proves there’s more to Portobello than…
The Living Room
150 St Vincent Street,
Glasgow,
G2 5NE
Weekends at this popular bar and diner feature live music and even a regular magician – helping to create a lively infectious buzz that is easy to get caught up in. Couples and groups are seated in leather booths, helping to break up the restaurant…
Nobles Bar
44a Constitution Street, Leith,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6RS
Nobles is fast becoming one of the most popular bars in Leith. With its large, colourful stained-glass windows and original Victorian features lovingly restored this is a classic pub of the highest quality. This attention to detail extends to the food…
Stockbridge Tap
2 Raeburn Place,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1HN
Decked out in light oak with a scattering of brewery paraphernalia on the walls, the Stockbridge Tap is one of the area’s more pleasant drinking establishments. The quiet, traditional atmosphere, well-kept ales and dizzying array of whisky on offer…
Joseph Pearce’s
23 Elm Row,
Edinburgh,
EH7 4AA
Pearce's huge popularity is testament to the warm and genuine welcome it extends to a diverse clientele. During the day a raised area to the back is a family-friendly haven, stocked with all the toys, highchairs and feeding paraphernalia that junior…
The Kilderkin
67 Canongate,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8BT
With a name like this (it’s a unit of measuring ale equivalent to two firkins or half a barrel) it’s no surprise to find that Kilderkin is serious about its alcohol. Under the co-ownership of James Nisbet, also of Leith Walk’s Windsor Buffet and…
Red Squirrel
21 Lothian Road,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2DJ
Having struck upon a winning formula of great beers and gourmet burgers with Holyrood 9A, it’s unsurprising to see owners Fuller Thomson attempt to replicate that success across town. While Red Squirrel lacks some of its sister venue’s subdued charm…
Bar Ten
10 Mitchell Lane,
Glasgow,
G1 3NU
Bar Ten’s narrow space, alongside its zinc tables, marble bartop and alley-way location, has always given it a rather European feel. And it still retains a bit of an edge from its glory days as a ‘pre-club’ venue, too, with an older, but trendy, crowd…
Earl of Marchmont
22 Marchmont Crescent,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1HG
Much like its Canongate sister the White Horse, the Earl is a grand mixture of classic Edinburgh local and funked-up eclectic touches. The crowd is a hotch-potch of students, cheery thirty-somethings and a clutch of venerable regulars decorating the…
Cottier's
93–95 Hyndland Street,
Glasgow,
G11 5PX
Stencils on the walls, fairy lights and candles add plenty of character and atmosphere to proceedings in this converted church. Service is genuinely warm and helpful while suitably informal given the relaxed surroundings. The carpaccio of Inverurie beef…
The Libertine
45–47 Bell Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1NX
A competition saw this bar named after the decadent 17th-century poet, the 2nd Earl of Rochester, but here’s nothing debauched about this Libertine, which neatly balances daytime bistro and night-time bar. Tall windows line both aspects, allowing diners…
Villager
49–50 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EJ
One of those versatile bars that often seems like a good idea for its perky cocktail list (a modernised one will be introduced very soon, retaining six old favourites and the same proactive attitude to decent ingredients), comfy sofas, and very…
Malone's Irish Bar
14 Forrest Road,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QN
Malone's Irish Bar certainly can’t be accused of misrepresenting itself. Owned and run by natives of the Emerald Isle, the cavernous property oozes Irishness from its street-level entrance area, the large central room with tables for dining and large…
The Art School
The Beresford Building, 468 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3LW
While The Glasgow School of Art is renovated, the union has made its home here in the Beresford building. It’s suitably scruffed up –- creative doodles on the wall, candle-lit tables, and lots of students (though all are welcome). There’s a friendly…
Arta
The Old Cheesemarket, 62 Albion Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1PA
In Glasgow’s trendy Merchant City the competition among restaurants to attract discerning diners is high. Artà stands out architecturally. Once the location of a medieval cheese market this listed building was developed Baroque style in 2000 into a…
Bar Milano
2 Mains Avenue, Eastwood Toll,
Glasgow,
G46 6QZ
From its pleasantly neutral décor and friendly service to the suburban location, Bar Milano ticks all the boxes for a comfortable neighbourhood trattoria. It’s housed in a converted bank but where such buildings often possess a cold grandeur, the…
The Rio Café
27 Hyndland Street,
Glasgow,
G11 5QF
The Rio Café’s 1950s diner-style décor and vibe has made it something of an institution in Glasgow’s West End, and it’s menu offers up tempting options whether you’re in for breakfast, lunch, or just a snack. The burgers come large and tasty, and even a…
Teuchters Landing
1c Dock Place,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LU
The pub sister of the A Room In… chain of restaurants, both Teuchters are directly connected to the Leith and West End branches of the restaurant. As if offering a frankly stunning range of alcohol (over 90 single malts in Teuchters; a wealth of…
3 Rose Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2PR
The Grand Old Man of Rose Street’s bustling pub scene, with its island bar, wood-panelled walls and intricate ceiling, the Abbotsford remains agreeably unsullied by the latest fads and trends – as do most of its patrons. Attracting the sort of crowd who…
80 Glassford Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1UR
Weekends are busy at this Merchant City bar, catering for the post-work and pre-club crowd. The interior is stylish, with comfy low cushioned benches, bar stools and standard tables offering seating options to suit your night. Be careful to arrive early…
The Bank Café Bar
443 Clarkston Road,
Glasgow,
G44 3LL
The Maclay Inns group, five of whose premises are featured in this section, tend to choose interesting buildings for their ventures that add a nice bit of character. In the case of The Bank it is, indeed, a former bank, now popular residential café/bar…
Bar Soba
116–122 Byres Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8TB
The sister venue to the Mitchell Street venue of the same name, Soba opened on Byres Road in early 2012 and is described as a ‘Bar & Noodle Kitchen’. The bar aspect means that Soba offers a great selection of cocktails. They may not be cheap but…
Black Sparrow
241 North Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7DL
The Black Sparrow is certainly an attractive room, packed with original details, with a huge ornate bar that runs the length of the space and lots of rather cute booths perfectly made for two. There’s a mezzanine level for larger groups and a much…
The Cambridge Bar
20 Young Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JB
The Cambridge Bar has long been known for its fine ales, and continues to offer more than 30 from around the world, together with guest beers from Scottish micro breweries. Tucked away in a cobbled thoroughfare running parallel to George Street and…
The Goat & Grill
1287 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8TL
When the weather’s right the Goat and Grill has one of the largest outdoor seating areas around, while indoors is a small bar with the centre of attention on the big screen showing sporting events. Upstairs the focus is on food but the bar atmosphere…
Kuta
104 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 2EN
Bar Kuta is the latest addition to the group of Glasgow venues operated by owner Alan Tomkins, an impressive array already including notables like Urban Bar & Brasserie and Booly Mardy’s. Kuta’s sleek contemporary interior certainly achieves it’s…
60 Trongate,
Glasgow,
G1 5EP
If you believe the deep-fried Mars bar is an urban myth, proof of its existence can be found at Maggie May’s, an indie/folky music venue and pub with a surprisingly civilised restaurant tucked away at the back of the bar. The crisply battered…
Metropolitan
Merchant Square, Candleriggs,
Glasgow,
G1 1LE
Given the weather, Metropolitan’s indoor terrace overlooking Merchant Square is the safest way to dine al fresco in Glasgow. It’s a very pleasant place to be, with the sandstone walls, linen napkins and twinkling fairy lights adding atmosphere to the…
Moskito
200 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4HG
The ambient beats and distinctive green-turquoise hue of Moskito have been with us for more than a decade now, making it the elder statesman of Bath Street. Like its neighbouring bars, the location’s great for workers from the nearby offices, as well as…
The Pour House
1038–1042 Argyle St,
Glasgow,
G3 8LX
A newcomer to the vibrant Finnieston drag, and reviewed here within days of opening, it’s fair to say the Pour House is still finding its feet. The exterior signage of a large squirrel guzzling from a tap is indicative of the quirky interior, featuring…
Rick’s
55a Frederick Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1LH
A stalwart of Edinburgh’s style bar scene for over a decade, Rick’s is gently re-inventing itself with accessible, casual dining at its heart. The space works well, divided by banquettes and wood panels into lots of cosy nooks and crannies, all…
The Ship on the Shore
24–26 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QN
A popular fixture on the Leith scene for nearly a quarter of a century, the Ship on the Shore can genuinely be said to offer something for everyone – as long as you’re not averse to fresh, beautifully prepared fish and seafood. Opening its doors with…
24 Howe Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6TG
With four large TV screens this is a popular location for watching live sports, especially rugby internationals when free pies are served during half time. The decor has a 1930s American feel with fixed red leather seats, deco-style lights and framed…
11 Multrees Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3DQ
Valvona & Crolla’s Vincaffe is only a short distance but several years away from the densely packed cornucopia of the family-run business’s original branch on Elm Row. With a bright, contemporary décor, evenly spaced, white dressed tables and a bank…
The Auld Hoose
23–25 St Leonards Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9QN
Standing proud on the Pleasance for nearly a century and a half, the Auld Hoose is viewed with affection by its locals and habitués as an unfussy establishment with an emphasis on good beer and hearty pub grub. The bar is well-stocked with an…
Bar 91
91 Candleriggs,
Glasgow,
G1 1NP
Regularly filled with an eclectic mix of professionals, students and families, Bar 91’s welcoming vibe and contemporary interior see it busy all day. In addition to the usual array of mainstream lagers, there are beers from the nearby West Brewery…
The Corinthian Club
191 Ingram Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1DA
The brasserie and bar area in the Corinthian must be one of the most beautiful rooms in Scotland. If you want to impress then this dramatic central hall of the former High Court is certainly the place to come. The food can’t really compete with such…
DRAM!
232–246 Woodlands Road,
Glasgow,
G3 6ND
As its name may suggest, DRAM! is a whisky drinker’s heaven; a range of over 75 malts providing ample scope for even the most learned of whisky connoisseurs to sample a new nip. A food menu comprising the best of Scottish produce brings in a mixed group…
The Grosvenor Café
The Grosvenor Theatre, Ashton Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8SJ
Located above the well-known Ashton Lane cinema, the Grosvenor is a bar which captures the atmosphere of the film experience. A large projector screen plays out silent pictures throughout the day, while the bar’s décor harks back to the cinematic…
Indigo Yard
7 Charlotte Lane,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4QZ
While not as conspicuously trendy as some of its West End neighbours, Indigo Yard’s exposed walls and unusual shape create a cosy, cave-like feel – although at weekends it can be cramped. It’s a popular spot for a tipple, with 15 beers on tap, another…
Jackson's Bar
95–97 Cambridge Street,
Glasgow,
G3 6RU
Jackson’s is a welcome addition to Cowcaddens, in its struggle for decent drinking dens – unless spit and sawdust is your tipple. Nearby student accommodation contributes to a mixed clientele that also includes an older crowd from its days as the…




