Cocktail Bar · Bruntsfield · Edinburgh
Black Ivy
Bruntsfield's all day bar and boutique hotel, mixing creative cocktails over park views until 1am every night.
The Pitch
The Bar That Anchors Bruntsfield
Black Ivy fronts 4 Alvanley Terrace where Whitehouse Loan meets Bruntsfield Links, the park side address south of the Old Town. DesignMyNight describes a strikingly designed neighbourhood bar and restaurant with 21 individually designed bedrooms above it.
The room runs from 8am breakfast to a 1am close every night of the week, with DJs through the week and a terrace facing the Links, per the bar's own listings and SquareMeal's review.
Who would hate it? Anyone after a quiet dram in tweedy silence. Black Ivy is dark interiors, a loud back bar, and a crowd that dressed for it.
The Room
Dark Panels Facing the Links
Deep greens, dark wood, and brass lamp light fill the interior, with snugs along the windows holding the park view. The terrace takes summer evenings, and SquareMeal notes the bar's late license makes it Bruntsfield's default last stop.
The Drinks
Creative Serves and Tank Beer
The cocktail list leans playful, with house serves around £10 alongside well kept tank beer, a wide gin shelf, and a Scottish whisky cabinet, per DesignMyNight and the bar's own menu.
Order a house signature early evening when the bartenders have time to talk you through it. Skip the cocktails after 11pm on Saturdays and take the tank beer; the room is a party by then.
The Crowd
Bruntsfield Out of Office Hours
Brunch crowds and laptop escapees hold the daytime; evenings bring Bruntsfield and Morningside locals plus hotel guests, and the DJ nights push the back bar to capacity by 10pm on weekends.
What regulars say:
- Tripadvisor reviewers rate the cocktails and the park facing terrace as the draw.
- DesignMyNight calls it one of the prettiest venue designs on the south side.
- SquareMeal flags the 1am license as the latest reliable close in Bruntsfield.
Who it is for:
- Cocktail dates south of the Meadows with a walk home after
- Groups that want food, drinks, and DJs without changing address
- Avoid if you want classic cocktail formality; Bramble in Edinburgh does the precision basement
The Verdict
Where It Lands
Bruntsfield's one address that covers breakfast to last orders. Take a window snug at golden hour and let the Links do the view.
Good to Know
Visit Information
Getting there: 4 Alvanley Terrace, facing Bruntsfield Links; buses along Bruntsfield Place stop two minutes away.
Timing: Open 8am to 1am daily, food until 10pm; book ahead for weekend evenings and terrace seats.
Cost: Cocktails around £10, tank beer near £6.
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