10 Best Bars in Edinburgh Loved by Locals!

Ah, Edinburgh – the city where ancient castles loom over cobbled streets, bagpipes wail like they’re auditioning for a rock band, and the locals treat a good dram like it’s liquid gold.

But forget the tourist traps with their overpriced haggis shots; if you want the real deal, you need to sidle up where the Edinburghians unwind.

These aren’t just bars; they’re sanctuaries of sticky floors, killer banter, and pints poured with the precision of a Highland fling.

We’ve scoured the whispers of the wind-swept wynds (that’s alleyways for you Sassenachs) to bring you the 10 best bars locals swear by in 2025. Warning: Your liver might thank you later, but your wallet will sing “Auld Lang Syne” on the way home. Slàinte!

1. Panda & Sons – The World’s Top Secret (Shh!)

Tucked behind a faux barbershop door on Queen Street, this speakeasy is where locals go to feel like James Bond, but with better tailoring and zero exploding pens.

Crowned the No. 1 bar in the entire world at the 2025 Top 500 Bars Awards, it’s all about inventive cocktails that taste like Scotland got lost in a botanical garden – think fermented kelp sours or whisky-forward wonders.

Locals love it for the intimate vibe; it’s like crashing a posh family reunion where everyone’s your new best mate. Pro tip: Book ahead, or you’ll be left twiddling your thumbs like a rejected extra in Trainspotting.

Website: pandaandsons.com
X Profile: @PandaAndSons

2. The Oxford Bar – Rebus’s Spiritual Home

Young Foss – no, wait, that’s the dog. This unassuming Young Street boozer is the fictional haunt of Ian Rankin’s brooding detective John Rebus, but for locals, it’s the real MVP of understated cool. Dive into a pint of Deuchars IPA amid the wood-paneled walls, and you’ll overhear debates on everything from footie to the meaning of life (spoiler: it’s another round).

It’s got that “I’ve been coming here since before you were born” aura that makes tourists feel like interlopers – in the best way. Fun fact: The barman’s free bookmarks are basically your ticket to literary street cred.

Website: theoxfordbar.com
X Profile: @TheOxfordBar1

3. Bramble – Underground Vibes, Over-the-Top Gin

Hidden beneath the streets like a burrowing badger on a bender, Bramble on Hope Street is the cocktail cathedral where locals worship at the altar of the Bramble (gin, blackberry liqueur, lemon – it’s a fruity hug in a glass). Dim lights, mismatched furniture, and a playlist that skips from indie to 80s synth make it feel like your mate’s basement party, but with mixologists who could school a sorcerer.

Edinburgh’s cocktail scene exploded here, and locals still flock for the no-fuss genius. Warning: One “just a quick one” turns into “taxi home” faster than you can say “loch.”

Website: bramblebar.co.uk
X Profile: @BrambleBar

4. Athletic Arms (The Diggers) – Pie Heaven for the People

In Polwarth, affectionately dubbed “The Diggers” for its football-mad crowd, this Angle Park Terrace gem is where locals refuel after a match with a steaming hot pie that’s basically a hug from your gran – flaky, meaty, and zero judgment if you order two. The beer’s always spot-on, the banter’s thicker than the fog rolling off the Forth, and it’s the kind of place where strangers become pub quiz teammates by round three.

Pure, unpretentious Edinburgh soul.

Website: None (it’s old-school cool – just show up)
X Profile: @AthleticArms (fan-run shoutouts galore)

5. The Blue Blazer – Cozy Nook of Nectar

Spittal Street’s two-room hideaway is the epitome of “close to perfection,” as one local put it – think snug firesides, a malt selection that could make a unicorn weep, and cask ales pulled with the finesse of a kilted baritone. It’s where Edinburgh’s bookish brigade and ale aficionados mingle, swapping tales of the Old Town’s ghosts over a pint. No frills, just feels – and in a city of stone and stories, that’s gold.

Website: blueblazer.co.uk
X Profile: @BlueBlazerEdin

6. Kay’s Bar – Victorian Time Machine with a Friendly Ghost

This Jamieson Street relic from 1825 feels like stepping into a sepia-toned postcard: low ceilings, wonky floors, and a horseshoe bar that’s seen more confessions than a priest. Locals rave about the “proper pints” and the vibe so welcoming, even college kids call it “dad-approved.” It’s tiny, so elbow room is optional, but the cask-conditioned ales are mandatory. Perfect for pondering life’s mysteries (or just why your socks don’t match).

Website: None – it’s a time capsule, not a tech startup
X Profile: @KaysBar

7. Tolbooth Tavern – Haunted History with a Happy Hour

On the Canongate, this 1591 survivor started as a toll booth (hence the name) and doubled as a jail – so yeah, the “spirits” might bump into you. Locals love it for the hearty grub, live tunes, and that eerie charm that makes every pint feel like a plot twist in a ghost story. It’s the Royal Mile’s cheeky underbelly, where history buffs and haggis lovers collide in raucous harmony.

Website: tolboothtavern.co.uk
X Profile: @TolboothTavern

8. St Bernard’s Bar – Stockbridge’s Speakeasy Stunner

In posh-but-not-stuffy Stockbridge, this Raeburn Place spot oozes vintage glamour with its art deco curves and hidden upstairs “Brief Encounter” lounge – think Casablanca, but with Irn-Bru chasers. Locals pop in for the craft gins and gossip, turning a quiet sundowner into a full-blown soiree. It’s the neighborhood’s beating heart, where even the cats look sophisticated.

Website: stbernardsharlow.co.uk
X Profile: @StBernardsBar

9. The Wally Dug – Leith’s Low-Key Whisky Whisperer

This cozy Canonmills nook is a burrow for book-lovers and dram devotees, with shelves groaning under tomes and tipples. Locals swear by the wintery whiskies (like that Hirundine pour that’s got everyone twitterpated) and the armchairs that swallow you whole. It’s like a hug from a tartan teddy bear – warm, woolly, and wonderfully unhurried.

Website: thewallydug.com
X Profile: @TheWallyDug

10. Lucky Liquor – The Rotating Roulette of Refreshments

Every 13 weeks, this basement bolthole on Lady Lawson Street spins a new wheel of 13 cocktails from 13 bottles – it’s mixology Russian roulette, but with zero bullets and all buzz. Locals dig the surprise factor and the creative twists (hello, heather-infused highballs), making it the go-to for date nights that end in “let’s do that again.” Fresh, fun, and fiercely Edinburgh.

Website: luckylliquor.com
X Profile: @LuckyLiquorED

There you have it, wanderers of the Waverley – your passport to pints that punch above their weight. Edinburgh’s bar scene is a bonnie beast: wild, welcoming, and wonderfully weird. Grab a map, a mate, and a massive thirst; these spots aren’t just for sipping, they’re for storytelling.

What’s your local legend? Drop it in the comments – or better yet, raise a glass to it next time you’re up north. Cheers to the city that never sleeps (but always drinks)! 🍻