10 Places To Drink Whisky And Stay In Edinburgh

There’s a reason that Edinburgh welcomes millions of visitors a year. Filled with history, top quality art museums, superb restaurants, the city is perfect both as a destination for an entire vacation, or as a starting point to explore the rest of Scotland. It also hosts the largest arts festival in the world every year, the Fringe Festival. It takes place throughout August, alongside the popular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, transforming the city into an enormous stage for all kinds of performances.

There’s also the whisky. Edinburgh naturally has some phenomenal spots where you can enjoy the best “water of life.” So here’s a guide to the top spots to enjoy a dram or few in Scotland’s capital, alongside some hotel recommendations ensuring that the walk back to your accommodation is never more than 5 minutes away, at most. In alphabetical order:

Where to Stay: Prestonfield House

Converted from a private home 60 years ago, Prestonfield is an opulent 5-star hotel surrounded by 20 acres of gardens. Nestled next to Edinburgh’s iconic Arthur’s Seat, each of its 23 rooms features unique and individual decorations. Keep an eye out for the peacocks that like to stroll around.

Where to Drink Nearby: The Abbey

A large and spacious pub located in the southern neighborhood of Newington. A selection of 100+ bottles can be enjoyed in thematic flights if desired at the cheapest prices on this list. The food here is also excellent, properly done pub fare.

Where to Stay: Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian

Built in 1903, the Waldorf Astoria is on the western side of the city center. Aside from its status as a 5-star hotel, it also hosts the Guerlain Spa and Health Club (the only one in the U.K.), and won the Best Luxury Hotel Spa in the UK at the 2017 World Luxury Spa Awards. Its bar, the Caley, also features an impressive selection of whiskies.

Where to Drink: Amber, Scotch Whisky Experience

The Scotch Whisky Experience is an Edinburgh tourist staple, situated right next to the capital’s famous castle. It’s bar, Amber, boasts a collection of 450 whiskies, complemented by a selection of gourmet cheeses from local cheesemonger Iain Mellis.

Where to Stay: The Witchery by the Castle

Possibly the most unusual accommodation choice on the list, the Witchery makes a point of showcasing its Gothic décor and its nine unique ‘theatrical suites’. Hidden around the corner from Victoria Street, its Secret Garden restaurant is an irresistible treat tucked in a historic courtyard secluded within the Old Town’s ancient buildings. 

Where to Drink: Bow Bar

An Edinburgh whisky institution placed just off the Royal Mile on the picturesque Victoria Street, the Bow Bar is a cosy space featuring a selection of 390 whiskies. The bar also takes its beer seriously, with over 60 selections available.

Where to Stay: The Glasshouse, Autograph Collection

Just down the street next to the Playhouse theater, 5-star hotel The Glasshouse features a 140-year old building façade and modern interiors. The highlight, however, is the rooftop garden featuring a gorgeous view of Calton Hill, alongside the Snug whisky bar, which also offers a selection of cigars to enjoy.

Where to Drink: Bramble

I’ve included the hard-to-find basement bar Bramble not for its whisky selection but because it’s a true U.K. cocktail institution, established just as the global cocktail craze was taking off. Not only have some of the world’s top bartenders cut their teeth here, but there’s also some unique whisky cocktails on the menu.

Where to Stay: The Radisson Blu Hotel

A classy hotel with a good spa and gym, it also offers parking in the centre of Edinburgh, which is incredibly valuable if travelling by car. It also becomes a venue during the Fringe, hosting hundreds of shows in the building.

Where to Drink: Devil’s Advocate

Located in a hard-to-find alleyway just off the Royal Mile, this Scottish restaurant also has a superb bar with over 400 whiskies available, alongside mouthwatering cocktails.

Where to Stay: The Scotsman

One of Edinburgh’s iconic 5-star hotels in the heart of the city’s Old Town, the Scotsman has sumptuous rooms with some of the best views of the city. This also might be one of the few hotels in the U.K. that has a movie theater, with 48 seats.

Where to Drink: The Jazz Bar

The selection of whiskies is decent enough (if paltry compared to the other selections on this list), but the live music here can’t be beat. How can life be better when enjoying music and whisky? In addition to the jazz, be sure to check out the superb house funk bands that play Sundays through Thursdays from midnight until the early hours.

Where to Stay: Old Town Chambers

Old Town Chambers runs 50 luxury apartments, available in a wide variety of sizes and styles combining the old charm of the stone buildings with contemporary designs.

Where to Drink: Jeffrey St. Whisky and Tobacco

An excellent whisky and cigar shop specialising in independent bottlings of great whisky, Jeffrey St. also hold tastings featuring some truly special selections. Both the tutored sessions and their individual dram ‘bar’ are worth visiting the shop for.

Where to Stay: Intercontinental Edinburgh – The George

Operating as a hotel since 1881, The Intercontinental is housed within a listed historical building in Edinburgh’s New Town (itself a UNESCO World Heritage site). The rooms here offer views of both the castle as well as the Firth of Forth, the bay that feeds into the North Sea.

Where to Drink: Kaleidoscope Bar, Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Queen St.

This is the only Scotch Malt Whisky Society bar where non-members are allowed in to enjoy its unique top quality whiskies, almost all of them single cask full strength releases. If you’re already a member though, go instead to its regal headquarters in Leith.

Where to Stay: Kimpton Charlotte Square

A new luxury hotel spread across various townhouses in picturesque Charlotte Square, the Kimpton immediately snapped up a few awards (Brand Hotel of the Year and Style Hotel of the Year at 2018’s Scottish Hotel Awards) once it opened its doors. It manages to combine the intimacy of a boutique hotel and sleekness of a high-end chain.

Where to Drink: Usquabae

An award-winning bar and restaurant located on the castle end of Princes Street, Usquabae boasts a selection of 400 whiskies, which can be enjoyed in one of the various cosy alcove stalls that surrounds the main bar area. There’s tutored tastings available as well if booked in advance.

Where to Stay: The Balmoral

Any visitor to Edinburgh will not miss seeing this gorgeous landmark building right at the end of North Bridge. You can’t go wrong with a grand luxury hotel hosting a Michelin-star restaurant, a spa, and renowned afternoon tea spreads in its domed cafe.   

Where to Drink: Whiski Rooms

Just between the Waverley train station and the Royal Mile is this unique combination whisky shop, bar, and restaurant offering over 300 whiskies. There’s also a special ‘Ardbeg menu’ dining option, where the iconic smoky whisky is liberally used in the recipes for a 3-course meal.