Let’s check out the enchanting streets of Scotland’s capital to discover the allure of gin bars in Edinburgh.
This historic city, not only famed for its majestic castle and cobbled lanes, is also a haven for gin enthusiasts. In this blog, we delve into the heart of Edinburgh’s thriving gin scene, exploring an array of exceptional gin bars that each offer a unique experience.
From hidden speakeasies to elegant cocktail lounges, Edinburgh’s gin bars are a testament to the city’s love affair with this botanical spirit. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, a gin connoisseur or a curious newbie, join us as we uncover the best places to savour this beloved tipple. Expect to encounter bars steeped in history, offering an extensive selection of locally distilled gins and innovative cocktails, all set against the backdrop of Edinburgh’s timeless charm. So, let’s raise a glass and immerse ourselves in the world of gin bars in Edinburgh, where every sip tells a story.
The Best Gin Bars in Edinburgh
This table provides an overview of each bar, highlighting their location and ambience, specialties in gin and cocktails, as well as any unique features that make them stand out in Edinburgh’s vibrant gin scene.
| Gin Bar | Location and Ambience | Specialties | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Dick | Former veterinary school; warm speakeasy | South Loch Gin; Selection of Scottish Gins | Small distillery on-site; historical setting |
| Freddy’s Edin | Middle of City Centre on Frederick Street: Vibrant live music ambience in a modern setting | Extensive local and global gin and cocktail collection; live music | Open all week; live music with top artist’s and DJ’s |
| Juniper | Hotel cocktail bar | Creative cocktails feature Scottish distilleries. | Elegant, not exclusively gin-focused |
| The Jolly Botanist | Pub-style, cosy, and kitschy Victoriana | Over 70 gins; gins flights | Eclectic drink menu; cosy interior |
| One Square | Princes Street, an award-winning cocktail bar | Innovative gin cocktails: Strawberry and Steam Smoking Cocktail | Unique drink presentations; popular gin cocktails |
| 56 North | Elegant cocktail bar | Extensive gin and tonic selection; seasonal drinks | Local gin and tonic brands; seasonal themed drinks |
| Panda and Sons | Hidden in old estate agents; 1920s barbershop theme | Extensive gin menu; experimental cocktails | Speakeasy-esque ambiance; knowledgeable staff |
| Heads and Tales | New Town | Over 70 varieties of gin; snacks; and sharing boards | Knowledgeable staff; variety of serves and cocktails |
| Mother’s | Basement bar | Over 60 different gins: South Loch Gin, Black Lime Gimlet, and Mango Swizzle cocktails | Cosy atmosphere; range of inventive cocktails and bar bites |
| Panda & Sons (Bread Street) | Offbeat, cosy bar with mini-distillery | South Loch Gin Production: Hundreds of gin brands | Regular gin masterclasses; unique mini-distillery experience |
Freddy’s Edin
Edinburgh was transformed by its 18th-century “Gin Craze,” when consumption skyrocketed during this juniper-flavoured spirit’s rise in popularity and consumption in palaces throughout the city. Nowadays, Edinburgh still houses numerous distilleries and bars where you can indulge your gin craving. You are sure to find an ideal spot in Edinburgh where you can sip away on classic cocktails such as gin and tonic or try your hand at more elaborate cocktails such as martinis!
Freddy’s Edin Gin Bar stands as a shining gem in the crown of Edinburgh’s gin scene. Located in the heart of the city, it open all week, and it offers a lively atmosphere for drinks and dancing, emphasizing fun and social engagement. The venue is tailored for a variety of experiences, from with walk-ins always welcome to large group bookings and private hire available. Freddy’s Edin stands out as a place for endless entertainment and possibilities, where guests can enjoy a relaxed environment and engage with others in a spirited setting.
The moment you step into Freddy’s, you’re greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere that pairs perfectly with their impressive gin collection. From classic options to exclusive local finds, there’s a gin for every palate. But what sets Freddy’s apart is their commitment to crafting the perfect gin experience and party parlour vibe.
Freddy’s also prides itself on its knowledgeable and friendly staff. Whether you’re a gin aficionado or a curious newbie, they are always ready to guide you through their extensive menu, share stories about the gins, or recommend a bespoke cocktail tailored to your taste.
In summary, Freddy’s Edin Gin Bar is a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the best of Edinburgh’s gin scene. With its vast selection, expertly crafted serves, and inviting atmosphere, it’s a place where both locals and visitors can discover the true spirit of gin and make lifelong friends in the heart of Edinburgh.
For more detailed information, you can visit this gin bars in Edinburgh website..
Juniper
Juniper is an elegant hotel cocktail bar that opened in 2013. Although not exclusively dedicated to gin, gin plays an integral part in its impressive drinks list, featuring Scottish distilleries as well as creative cocktails such as Juniper’s Kiss (Edinburgh Elderflower Gin with citrus vodka, orgeat syrup, Kiwi fruit puree, lemon juice, and apple foam)!
The Jolly Botanist is a pub-style bar that specialises in an eclectic variety of drinks. Their menu offers over 70 different gins that you can sample along with suggested mixers; additionally, there’s an impressive gin flight to help explore more at once! With cosy interior design and kitschy Victoriana decor.
One Square is an award-winning cocktail bar on Princes Street, offering innovative and delectable beverages, such as its popular gin cocktails, which have received multiple accolades. One particularly unique drink served at One Square is their Strawberry and Steam Smoking Cocktail, served from a clear glass teapot reminiscent of Hogsmeade drinks.
56 North is an elegant cocktail bar in Edinburgh. They offer an extensive selection of gin and tonics from local companies such as Bon Accord, Cushiedoos, and Walter Gregor’s, along with seasonally themed drinks like their winter Berry Fizz made with Ketel One and prosecco.
Panda and Sons is an intriguing drinkery worth visiting for its atmosphere alone. The venue features a 1920s barbershop theme, hidden within an old estate agent, with a fake bookcase entrance reminiscent of speakeasies of old. Though small in size, Panda and Sons has an intimate, speakeasy-esque space where there is always someone nearby to offer advice or refills from its extensive menu of gins; staff are knowledgeable on the drinks offered here—perfect to relax after an intense day at work or study!
Heads and Tales
If you love gin, Edinburgh’s New Town will not disappoint. Their dedicated gin bar features over 70 varieties to suit every palate. The staff is extremely knowledgeable about this spirit and will gladly assist in finding you your ideal drink, be it a simple gin and tonic or an innovative cocktail creation. Also, find a nice selection of snacks and share boards while drinking!
Heads and Tales lives up to its name by offering over 70 varieties of gins for you to sample, with suggestions on their menu for mixers as well. Perfect if you want something different; their kitschy Victoriana decor makes for an entertaining evening out!
This gin bar exudes speakeasy charm with its hidden bookcase entrance and exotic cocktails made to please. Not hard to find but well worth the trip—you won’t regret visiting! Their extensive fusion menu features plenty of exotic drinks, complemented by their impressive gins selection—one of Edinburgh’s premier cocktail destinations!
Juniper on Princes Street opened in 2013 as an elegant hotel bar, not specifically marketing itself as a gin bar but still taking its tipple seriously. They offer an expansive range of gins for you to sample; if you need help making up your mind about what to order, just ask one of the staff; they may suggest pairing one of their tasty cocktails with an individual gin!
Summerhall Art Centre houses this intimate distillery and bar, which creates some inventive gin-based cocktails. Don’t miss the chance to try their gin straight from their still.
They are one of the leading gin producers living in Scotland and they have used their knowledge to craft an exquisite variety. As well as the Scottish varieties on offer, you’ll also find plenty of international brands available here, not forgetting the cheese-and-gin tasting sessions, which make the perfect combination!
Panda & Sons
Panda & Sons, an elegant speakeasy hidden behind what appears to be a barber shop in Edinburgh’s New Town district, can’t be missed on any trip to Edinburgh. After entering through its bookshelf door and being welcomed into what feels like a Prohibition-era speakeasy but with modern touches, Panda & Sons stands out among Edinburgh bars as being an exceptional destination for cocktails.
Panda & Sons stands out in an ever-competitive bar scene by offering experimental menus; this is particularly evident with their Transcend cocktail list. Experts have praised it and it was even shortlisted for Bar Menu of the Year at Tales of the Cocktail. The cocktails in this menu utilise various sub-zero techniques to produce new flavours, textures, and innovations; in Chapter 2, for instance, they utilise Sous Pression technology. Similar to sous vide, freezing pressure is used to combine ingredients. According to the team behind it, this technique resembles burst frozen water pipes, as it allows them to extract excess liquid while adding in more flavourful elements to their dishes.
Cryo concentration is another technique featured on the menu, in which spirits are placed into special freezers to separate into water and higher-proof spirits. After freezing, any frozen water is removed and swapped out with flavoured or textured liquid to boost the alcohol percentage while still preserving the original taste and texture.
Transcend showcases one last technique known as freeze ripening, which allows the team to increase the sugar and flavour levels of produce that has not reached its fullest potential. This technique is used to craft delicious cocktails such as the Seville Negroni, which features gin, vermouth, orange bitters, and toasted mandarin powder.
Panda & Sons’ team is challenging not only what a cocktail should be but also how it should be presented. This can be seen through its interior design by Remy Savage and Paul Lougrat; their interior features an array of colourful shapes, which give rise to its name; this concept extends through to their layout, which is both functional and minimal.
Mother’s
Edinburgh was transformed by its 18th-century “Gin Craze,” when consumption skyrocketed during this juniper-flavoured spirit’s rise in popularity and consumption in palaces throughout the city. Nowadays, Edinburgh still houses numerous distilleries and bars where you can indulge your gin craving. You are sure to find an ideal spot in Edinburgh where you can sip away on classic cocktails such as gin and tonic or try your hand at more elaborate cocktails such as martinis!
This cosy basement bar opened its doors in 2014 and now offers over 60 different gins to sample. Indulge in their own South Loch Gin or one of their inventive cocktails like Black Lime Gimlet with Scottish gin, black lime cordial, anise aroma, or Mango Swizzle, which features mezcal, mango, white port, and amaro! There’s even an impressive range of bar bites for an additional treat!
Panda and Sons on Bread Street is an offbeat destination to visit for something a little off-beaten-track. Their cosy gin bar and mini-distillery offer a rotating menu and now offer experiences. Boasting two copper pot stills, you can watch their own South Loch Gin being produced, in addition to sampling hundreds of other brands—even their very own South Loch Gin being made as part of local history!
The team here is always more than willing to make suggestions for creating the ideal serve and run regular gin masterclasses. There is ample outdoor seating space and the food menu provides plenty of variety.
New Town residents will love this fun and quirky bar featuring bowler hat lights dangling above the bar, Victoriana touches, banquette seating for two to six, plus various nooks and crannies—with even an outside seating area for sunny days! They offer an impressive variety of gins, including the smaller brands they champion, as well as hosting cheese tasting events! 56 North is another dedicated to gin, with experiences ranging from pairing it with chocolate to taking part in tasting masterclasses!
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