Edinburgh
New Town is the Georgian grid north of Princes Street, and George Street is its spine for going out. The polish runs from a tiled Victorian circle bar to a fairground themed basement and the glossiest hotel cocktail rooms in the city. Save this neighbourhood guide before your next night in Edinburgh.
West Register Street, New Town · $$$
A Victorian circle bar under tiled portraits and a domed ceiling, pouring the Cafe Royal Old Fashioned beside a working oyster bar.
Hanover Street, New Town · $$
A hidden basement cocktail bar with a circus and fairground theme, a mechanical fortune teller and slushie cocktails poured to order.
George Street, New Town · $$$
A glossy George Street cocktail bar and hotel lounge, polished and busy with a long signature list and the Tigerlily Cocktail.
North Castle Street, New Town · $$$
A long running cocktail bar just off George Street, known for the Tonic Highball and a deep spirits shelf behind the counter.
Cumberland Street, New Town · $$
A Georgian heritage pub with a beer garden and a rotating Scottish craft ale list in the quieter north of the New Town.
George Street, New Town · $$$
A George Street after work spot with themed rooms and the Le Monde Spritz, busy from early evening through the weekend.
New Town is built for a planned evening on a single street. Start with a heritage pint, move to a glossy cocktail room, and keep George Street as your spine so the whole night happens within a few blocks.
The order is a working ranking rather than gospel. Read the notes, pick the room that fits the night you are planning, and book ahead on weekends when the George Street rooms fill fast.
Every recommendation below is independent, and barsforKings does not take payment for editorial placement, ever.