Pubs & bars and Wi-Fi
- Black sparrow
Black Sparrow offers traditional pub food and wide ranged drink list - Valvona & Crolla VinCaffé
Classic Italian cooking using the finest ingredients and a tasting list of over 50 wines by the glass - El Bar
Edinburgh's only dedicated flamenco Spanish tapas bar! - King Tut's Wah Wah Hut
A legendary live music venue serving cosmopolitan pub food
Hyde Out
2 Fountainbridge Square,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9QB
Hyde Out is somewhat less demure than its name suggests. Located by the canal terminus at Edinburgh Quay, it took over from the old Embark with a splash of publicity and a blizzard of blingin’ style in the autumn of 2010, providing a reinvigorating if…
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…
Pivo Pivo
15 Waterloo Street,
Glasgow,
G2 6AY
Pivo Pivo was one of Glasgow's first pubs to serve an extensive range of world beers - from Argentinian Quilmes to Kirin from Japan - and still largely trades on punters' tourism. Located right beside Central Station, its small bar area lies at the foot…
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…
Iglu
2b Jamaica Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6HH
For all that it is tucked at the far end of a side-street, Iglu has established an enviable profile, priding itself on serving seasonal, locally-sourced, organic and wild foods in the cosy upstairs restaurant and downstairs bar area. Proving high…
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…
The Street
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…
Big Slope
36a Kelvingrove Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7SA
It would be interesting to know how many folk come into Big Slope for a drink, but end up having something to eat. That's what makes a good bar food menu: perched on the table, teasing and appetising. Here we have pub favourites with lovely twists…
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…
99 Hanover Street
99 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DJ
This opulent venue was taken over at the end of 2011 and, while it has retained its classy interior, the new regime has decided to impose its own personality – with varied levels of success. While the burgers of old will be missed by many, the tables…
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…
The Ale House
18–22 Clerk Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9HX
The Ale House Bar is a well known music venue throughout Edinburgh. During the daytime and evening the bar provides excellent meals and a range of cask ales and malt whiskies.
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…
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…
Victoria
265 Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8PD
Like the other Swedish-run bars in Leith, Victoria is both refreshingly familiar and determined to assert its own individuality. Their drinks range is classy and well-chosen, including beers from at least thirty-five different countries and their…
A Room in the West End
26 William Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7NH
A cheery atmosphere awaits in a Room in the West End in the basement under Teuchters pub in William Street. With its red walls, chunky furniture and three wee booths at the back if you want a bit of privacy, the style is informal. Here you’ll find…
The Bow Bar
80 West Bow, Victoria Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HH
Despite the name, Bow Bar is a pub. Not a trendy bar, not a concept pub, but a traditional real ale, real whisky, real pie pub. The drinks shelves are the smartest section of what is quite a small, dark, often heavily crowded room – over 230 whiskies…
Cargo
Edinburgh Quay, 129 Fountainbridge,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9QA
Cargo enjoys an attractive easy-to-access location at the beginning of the Union Canal towpath and also is only a five-minute walk from Lothian Road. The two-storey bar/restaurant has sleek dark wood tables, a glass-fronted bar and large picture windows…
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…
The Granary
32–34 The Shore, Leith,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QN
This split-level restaurant and bar is well positioned on the Shore with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and views of the Water of Leith. With its seductive brown leather sofas, dark wood floors, rugs and realistic-looking gas-powered fires, you’ll…
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 Pear Tree House
34 West Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DD
The grande dame of the Southside drinking scene has been standing proud on the spot since 1749, and 2012 sees the thirtieth anniversary of its current incarnation. The Pear Tree’s justifiably famed selling point is the large walled beer garden…
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…
Betty's Bar
14-16 Grosvenor Street,
Edinburgh,
EH12 5EG
A petit lounge bar situated in the West End of Edinburgh. Take a step back in time and allow our pin-up paintings to charm you …
Captains Bar
4 South College Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9AA
A small historic pub with live Scottish folk music in the evenings and weekend afternoons.
Le Monde
16 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2PF
If you’re an Edinburgh WAG looking for a bite to eat before a night on the town with your footballer boyfriend, Le Monde will be one of your first choices. The world is your oyster in this boutique hotel with international themed bedrooms, dining areas…
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…
Bacchus
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…
The Ben Nevis
1147 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8TB
The Ben Nevis is well worth a visit if you’re after whisky, contemporary Scottish folk or just a chance to hang out with some real Glaswegians in an agreeable environment. With slabs of slate, ropes and wood, the interior evokes a fantastical Highland…
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 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…
Hamiltons Bar and Kitchen
16–18 Hamilton Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5AU
This dusky Stockbridge stronghold never looks the most inviting, yet is always busy – packed with pram-pushing mothers during the hours of daylight, and stuffed with drink-quaffing suits of an evening. And, with separate menus on offer for breakfast…
The Inn at Lathones
By Largoward,
St Andrews,
Fife,
KY9 1JE
The Inn at Lathones to the south of St Andrews is around four hundred years old; its age apparent in the stone-clad fireplaces, whitewashed ceilings and exposed roof beams on display. Then, alongside, you'll find gig posters (the former stables now…
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…
Maggie May'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 Phoenix
103 Nethergate,
Dundee,
DD1 4DH
The Phoenix has been going for over 150 years, and in all that time it’s probably never been quiet. Always busy, the small, ramshackle pub is a boisterous affair, equally popular with students and locals all out for a good time, whether it’s noon or…
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 Standard
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…
The Tiki Bar
214 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4HW
Polynesian stylings (straw basket chairs, palm trees, ‘Easter Island’ heads) alongside 1950s Americana (MAD comics and a popcorn machine) – to the unordained, this place benefits from an explanation. The décor constitutes, you see, a ‘Tiki Bar’, the…
Valvona & Crolla Vincaffè
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…
Bar Soba
11 Mitchell Lane,
Glasgow,
G1 3NU
One of the first restaurants in Glasgow to serve fashionable ‘fusion’ food, Bar Soba serves up a mix of Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese and Chinese influenced dishes including the soba noodles that the restaurant’s name suggests. Bar Soba claims that its…
Biblos
1 Chambers Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1HU
With a name that means ‘book’ it is hardly surprising Biblos has gone for the decadent library theme. Leather Chesterfield sofas, wingback chairs and dark wood abound, and, in case the point still hasn’t hit home, they even have small pictures of famous…
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…
The Counting House
2 St Vincent Place, City Centre,
Glasgow,
G1 2DH
This grandiose building in the very heart of the city centre is vast and ornate, even by JD Wetherspoon standards. What was once a Bank of Scotland now feels like the living room of a stately home. An impressive domed ceiling rises above the central…
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…
Ivory Lounge
126–128 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JN
For an after-work drink and bite to eat the Ivory Lounge is a comfortable option. A flamboyant entrance with patterned mirrors and upholstered seating gives way to a large bar and dining area. Part of a chain of similar bars, the interior is a…
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…
Kudos Bar Restaurant
29 Waterloo Street,
Glasgow,
G2 6BZ
Situated in a prime spot close to Central Station and the financial district, Kudos is the ideal venue for office staff looking for a quick pit-stop at lunchtime. The bar’s express lunch menu, containing favourites such as battered haddock and macaroni…
The Lansdowne Bar & Kitchen
7a Lansdowne Crescent,
Glasgow,
G20 6NQ
With walls covered in plasma screens and a plethora of comfy booths, it is easy to see why the Lansdowne is considered by many to be among the best sports bars in town. To the rear of the spacious bar is a conservatory area, primarily a function room…
The Left Bank
33–35 Gibson Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8NU
Within its warren of nooks and crannies, the Left Bank offers a kaleidoscopic take on casual dining. Aimed squarely at the broadsheet-reading classes of this undergraduate-heavy area, and housed within a refurbished, multi-levelled bank building, it…
Offshore
3/5 Gibson Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8NU
It’s impossible not to mention the view from Offshore. Large windows looking out onto Gibson Street and onto the beginnings of Kelvingrove Park give the café a laid-back feel that makes it the perfect haven for anybody looking to chill out and watch the…
Òran Mór
731-735 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8QX
The grand looking Òran Mór, a converted sandstone church overlooking Byres Road and the Botanic Gardens, attempts to cater for the varied wants of trendy West End locals by being all things to all punters: restaurant (see Scottish), club, theatre, bar…
The Regent Bar
2 Montrose Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5DL
Edinburgh's gay real ale pub. Relaxed and comfortable, The Regent is not the archetypal gay bar. It has been voted Edinburgh Pub Of The Year in both 2008 & 2010 by the Campaign for Real Ale.
Food is available all day until 10pm and dogs are welcome…
The Shore Bar & Restaurant
3 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QW
Down by the water in Leith this dark wood-paneled bar is strong on seafood, served by attentive staff in a pub that has retained is character and friendly informal atmosphere. Loch Fyne oysters taste as fresh as the crest of a wave, sweet and plump and…
Tigerlily
125 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JN
Tigerlily is the flagship venue for the Montpelier Group, a set of well-liked, bold restaurants and bars in the city, centred around this boutique hotel, restaurant and bar on George Street. The restaurant layout is charmingly haphazard, with mismatched…
The Universal
57–59 Sauchiehall Lane,
Glasgow,
G2 4AB
Somewhat hidden in the depths of Sauchiehall Lane, not many people will stumble over this bar, but those who seek it out will find an unpretentious café-style venue offering a menu of pub meals such as macaroni cheese, burgers and chicken enchiladas…
The Ventoux
2 Brougham Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9JH
Not yet as lived-in and quite as beset by knick-knacks and bric-a-brac as its sister bar, Leith’s Tourmalet, the Ventoux is settling nicely into the space once occupied by the Illicit Still at Tollcross. Already it’s mirroring much of what makes its…
The Waverley Tea Room
18 Moss Side Road,
Glasgow,
G41 3TN
This is perhaps the best of the G1 Group’s Southside outposts, as popular with early-rising families for its coffee and kids' play area as it is with evening revellers for its late licence, strong choice of beers and ten wines by the glass. It’s also…
Avoca Bar & Grill
4-6 Dean Street,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1LW
Set into a relatively snug pair of rooms on a side street off Stockbridge’s main drag, this modern but lived-in bar feels like a bit of a nook, a welcome discovery when you find it. It’s a proper local for the diverse clientele of Stockbridge and…
The Big Blue
445 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8HH
A perennial student favourite and something of a West End institution, the Big Blue endures in its picturesque location by the Kelvin. Portions are hearty enough to satisfy diners with big appetites. The fried calamari with lemon is a tasty starter and…
BrewDog Edinburgh
143–145 Cowgate,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1JS
Considering you are essentially entering a life-size advert when you step through the door of a Brewdog bar, the experience is surprisingly enjoyable. The carefully styled surroundings are rough-hewn concrete cool, with ‘bar rules’ graffiti (‘No…
Café Cosmo
Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street,
Glasgow,
G3 6RB
Just as the cinematic offerings at the GFT are a million miles from the standard multiplex fare, so is the café a welcome departure from harshly lit popcorn pushers and hot dog dispensers. It’s a cosy haven, with low lighting, dark blue walls and a…
City Café
19 Blair Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1QR
Pull up your pop socks and pick a song for the juke box: the City Café is your Grease-shaped American diner. Its red banquettes are just right for a short lie down after eating more than your fill of the great BBQ sharing platter, with sticky pork ribs…
Dragonfly
52 West Port,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2LD
A step away from the Grassmarket rugby pubs is a bar with a different attitude to the serious business of drinking. The conscientious eclecticism of the décor – think palatial chandeliers and kung fu stencilled walls – extends to the DJ deck and the…
El Bar
6–8 Howden Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9LH
Little L-shaped El Bar is the tapas bar and restaurant of Scotland’s only dedicated Flamenco school and studio, Alba Flamenca. It’s an unusual set-up, but one that’s won plenty of fans since its inception in 2008. Diners hoping for intimacy here might…
The Fiddler's Arms
11–13 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HY
A vibrant bar on one floor with groovy music and live folk bands every night, plus a traditional Scottish menu. We attract tourists, locals and groups from our hostel, Art Roch, across the road.
A small bar with just two members of staff serving drinks…
Filmhouse Café Bar
88 Lothian Road,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9BZ
Any self-respecting cinema-goer knows that no trip to the Filmhouse would be complete without a pre-movie bowl of nachos from their bustling café-bar. A haven for lovers of independent and arthouse film, the Filmhouse is awash with cinéastes nursing one…
Hillhead Bookclub
17 Vinicombe Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8BE
There are not many places you can indulge in cocktail served in an old gramophone, but that is just one of the many quirky traits that ensures the Hillhead Bookclub is counted among the West End’s coolest hangouts. Food is of a very high standard, the…
Molly Malones
224 Hope Street,
Glasgow,
G2 2UG
Unmistakably Irish even from the outside, you feel welcome here before you even order a drink. There’s no going overboard on clichéd wall decorations either, and the long bar makes for a perfect spot to converse over a beer. Molly's claims to have the…
Mono
12 Kings Court, King Street,
Glasgow,
G1 5RB
Mono has been serving Glasgow’s veggie and vegan clientele for ten years now and it’s easy to see the attraction. The room has an indie vibe with a raised platform for the eating area, a good-sized stage for visiting musicians and a long colourful bar…
The Old Bell
233 Causewayside,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1PH
The Causewayside stalwart is a popular spot with Southside drinkers who know their stuff. This is a place with character in abundance, with walls sporting original wood-carved panels and a carillon of bells hanging from the ceiling. Low-lit lamps and…
The Pot Still
154 Hope Street,
Glasgow,
G2 2TH
The Pot Still has arguably the easiest sell in this entire guide: more than 370 types of whisky. That’s what it’s all about, and nowhere else in town comes close. It’s a proper old-fashioned affair, with leather-backed bench seating in racing green and…
Rab Ha's
83 Hutcheson Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1SH
Rab Ha’s is a well-loved and fairly busy Merchant City pub (and small hotel), and over the past 20 years or so its basement restaurant has meandered up and down market, with varying critical and commercial success. Currently it feels like an…
The Roxy 171
171 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G4 9AW
A bar that truly offers a multitude of experiences, the Roxy 171 ensures that clients of all demographics are catered for. With an intimate live music venue downstairs now spearheading the local acoustic scene, the bar is often frequented by the…
Saint Judes
190 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4HG
This ivy-clad basement townhouse on the Bath St social hub is an interesting and attractive mix of bar/bistro and hotel with a dark and dangerous (especially when you trip on the way to the toliet) interior and a public yet surprisingly intimate…
The Tearoom @ The Butterfly and the Pig
153 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4SQ
The 'odd pair', it states in the blurb, and they could be talking about the mismatched cutlery and crockery. A step back in time to a more genteel age awaits on climbing the stairs to the sister venue of the Buff Club and companion piece to the…
The 13th Note Café/Bar
50–60 King Street,
Glasgow,
G1 5QT
As befits a busy live venue, 13th note has a cool and funky vibe that attracts music and arts lovers of all ages. A cavernous red room with large windows hosts the bar area with the café perched a few stairs up at the back. The mood of the room changes…
The White Horse
266 Canongate,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8AA
With sofas that absorb you, gently lit stone walls and soft-voiced classics on the stereo, this pub has one of the most chilled-out back rooms possible. It’s not surprising, then, that it’s used by an eclectic mix of communities, from tarot reading to…
The Arches Café Bar & Restaurant
253 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G2 8DL
In the Arches’ subterranean dining room, regularly changing installations – often by local artists – provide the backdrop to interesting, well-executed food. An appetising menu includes adventurous options such as deep-fried baby octopus and wood…
Baby Grand
3–7 Elmbank Gardens,
Glasgow,
G2 4NQ
With its proximity to Charing Cross Station, the Premier Inn and the motorway, the long-established Baby Grand is handily placed to cater for commuters, visitors and business folk, particularly during the day. At night the area is quieter but a…
