The 15 Best Cocktail Bars In Scotland You Need To Visit
If you're planning a trip to Scotland — or if you're lucky enough to live there — and craving a cocktail, there are so many great cocktail bars to check out that it can be hard to know where to start your adventure. From basement vintage speakeasy-style bars that only those in the know can find to contemporary bars serving up the freshest seafood and coolest libations, there's something for everyone.
Whether your drink's a classic Margarita, a sophisticated boulevardier, a fruity frozen daiquiri, or something exciting and innovative, cocktail bars across Scotland are happy to oblige. Don't see something tempting on the menu? Most of these places will happily make you your cocktail of choice.
From Edinburgh and Glasgow to Aberdeen, Perth, and Dundee, we've gathered together the 15 best cocktail bars right here. Whichever Scottish city you're exploring, stop off at one or more of these spots for an experience to remember.
1. Nightcap (Edinburgh)
Amble down from Princes Street to York Place, and you'll find one of Edinburgh's coziest basement speakeasy bars, with dim lighting, reclaimed wooden barrels, and an undeniably intimate vibe. Established in 2016, today, Nightcap is one of the premier late-night spots for innovative cocktails in Scotland's capital city, open until 3 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Forget classic daiquiris and mojitos — though the mixologists here will happily whip those up for you on request — the drinks menu here is packed with unfamiliar and exotic flavors. The Olive and Strawberry Margarita with Arrette Blanco tequila, rosé vermouth, Fair Kumquat triple sec, olive, and strawberry is a must-try. Or order up Lost in Translation, a whiskey cocktail with whispers of the Orient, with sake, yuzu, rosemary, and sea salt.
Also recommended is the sweet and fruity long-serve Hamami Highball with Roku gin, cherry blossom cordial, bergamot, and soda. Perfect for sipping on the bar's terrace on Edinburgh's sunny summer evenings with gordal olives or mezcal infused pickled veg from the bar snacks menu.
2. Never Really Here Liquor Lounge (Edinburgh)
Locals and Edinburgh insiders fondly remember Bryant & Mack, the speakeasy bar styled like a 1940s detective agency. Though it may have closed its doors, in its place is an even better-kept secret: Never Really Here Liquor Lounge.
As its name suggests, this is a hard-to-find little spot, so you'll need to ask those in the know for its location and knock for entry. Booking is recommended, especially on weekends — with only 30 seats; this tiny bar fills up fast.
Never Really Here Liquor Lounge's expert mixologists pride themselves on making cocktails the old-fashioned way, so if you're into classics like a negroni or boulevardier, this place ticks all the right boxes. Soft lighting, dark wood, and a cozy vibe add to this bar's hush-hush style attraction — you'll feel like you've discovered something really special just a stone's throw from Edinburgh's bustling Princes Street.
3. The Lucky Liquor Co. (Edinburgh)
Like your cocktails strong and your bars intimate? The Lucky Liquor Co., open from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m., Wednesday to Sunday, could be the cocktail bar for you. Located on Edinburgh's Queen Street, just a short walk from the main thoroughfare, this place is always packed, so you'll need to be lucky if you want a table.
Whether seated in the main bar area or perched at the industrial-style white-tiled bar, you can enjoy an eclectic menu of imaginative libations, like the Poached Pear Sbagliato with Amaro, sweet vermouth, poached pear, and prosecco. For a savory, smoky twist, the whiskey-based Kinoko with single malt whiskey, shitake, apricot, black pepper, and balsamic shrub goes down a treat.
Unlike some other cocktail bar menus packed with sweet, fruity offerings, you'll find more complex, smoky delights at Lucky Liquor. The cocktails are on the strong side, though, and the bar doesn't serve any food, so make sure you grab dinner at one of the best places to eat and drink in Edinburgh before you settle in.
4. The Last Word Saloon (Edinburgh)
Owned by the same folks behind The Lucky Liquor Co., you'll need to head down to well-heeled Stockbridge — arguably Edinburgh's chicest district — to enjoy cocktails at The Last Word Saloon. Though this cozy basement bar on St. Stephen Street is a great spot year-round, it's at its best in the fall and winter when you can snuggle up with your date under a sheepskin by the roaring fire.
Open Thursday through Monday from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m.; there's plenty of time to dive into the ever-evolving menu. Cocktails here run more expensive than some of the other bars on our list, but you're paying for the cool, Instagram-able vibe and Stockbridge location, which is worth every penny, in our opinion.
Unusual offerings like Kyoto Calling with Cremorne Colonel Fox gin, banana skin, fino sherry, Lucky white cacao, miso, and lime, or the Core Memory, for apple lovers, with Avallen Calvados, Lucky apple, hopped grapefruit bitters, apple, lemon, and Mediterranean tonic dominate an eclectic menu that won't disappoint.
Don't come hungry, as there's no food on offer at The Last Word. We'd recommend heading for Stockbridge on a Sunday afternoon when you can stroll around the local market and grab a bite at one of the street food stalls before settling in for drinks.
5. Lebowskis (Glasgow)
Head west to Glasgow for the next bar on our list, serving up not one, not two, but thirty variations of White Russians, currently renamed as White Ukrainians on the bar's website. The dude most definitely abides in this buzzy Finnieston bar, the only remaining Lebowskis in Scotland after the Edinburgh branch sadly closed its doors during the pandemic.
Come for the infamous burgers and loaded fries, and stay for the White Russians — with so many to choose from, you could find yourselves spending longer here than you intended. Strawberry lovers can order up The Bunny with Mozart White Chocolate, Giffard Crème de Fraise, and 50/50, topped with skooshy cream and rainbow sprinkles. Or keep things classic with The Dude: Ketel One vodka with Kahlua, 50/50, and coffee beans.
This place is packed most nights of the week but even more so on weekends, when even finding a place to stand near the bar is a challenge. We'd recommend booking a table if you plan to stay for a while — trust us; once you see the menu, you'll want to.
6. Porter & Rye (Glasgow)
Finnieston in Glasgow is fast becoming the place to see and be seen, and there's nowhere better to be spotted than at Porter & Rye. With its plush seating and dark wood interior, this cozy New York-influenced restaurant has a laid-back vibe and a menu focused on seasonality and sustainability.
Come for pre or post-dinner cocktails, happy hour, or an afternoon of cocktails with the girls, and the mixologists here will whip up almost any drink you can dream of. The menu's helpfully divided into Aperitifs and Digestifs, with a helpful description of each drink to make choosing from the vast selection somewhat easier.
On the aperitif side, the Ikigai with Haku Vodka, Akashi-Tai Honjozo Genshu sake, apricot, MSG, soda, and nori is a flavor sensation for the tastebuds, while those looking for a digestif might want to try the signature Porter & Rye with Bulleit Rye, Amaro Tosolini, porter reduction, and orange bitters.
Fancy a bite to eat? There's plenty on offer when it comes to food here, with an à la carte menu focused around dry-aged Scotch beef and locally foraged ingredients, plus small plates for sharing — and a selection of bar snacks.
7. The Citizen (Glasgow)
This Glasgow institution on St Vincent Place is housed in the old offices and printing rooms of the Glasgow Evening Citizen newspaper. A delightfully charming place for cocktails with friends — or a date — you can even grab lunch or dinner at The Citizen, with a food menu focusing on Scottish ingredients.
Signature cocktails include the summery Escape to Amalfi with Beefeater gin, Limoncello, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto liqueur, lime juice, sugar syrup, and a lemon twist, or the gin-based Rest & Recuperation with Glaswegin, apricot brandy, apple juice, lemon juice, cinnamon syrup, orange bitters, apricot jam, soda, and star anise.
For special occasions, dive into the champagne cocktails menu and try the Strawberry Bliss with blended strawberry puree and crème de fraise topped with bubbly or a classic Kir Royale with crème de cassis. Paired with the 28-day dry-aged Chateaubriand for two with roasted garlic mushrooms and cherry tomatoes, you're sure to impress your dining partner.
8. The Finnieston (Glasgow)
Glasgow's premier gin bar and sustainable seafood restaurant in trendy Finnieston has over 60 gins to choose from and an extensive range of classic and innovative cocktails. Housed in an old Drovers' Tavern dating back to 1800, you can practically feel the history seeping through the walls of this undeniably intimate venue as you peruse the menu.
We love the rich Carrot Cake Manhattan, practically dessert in a glass, with Brown Butter Brugal 1888, Spiced PX Sherry, Lustau Blanc, and Benedictine — a French herbal liqueur with roots almost as old as the bar itself. Or try the bright, floral, refreshing Neptune with Hendrick's Neptunia gin, St Germain, lemon, Orgeat almond syrup, and Fino sherry.
If you prefer your cocktails on the classic side, there's plenty to choose from here too, plus an extensive wine list, à la carte menu, and snack menu packed with delights fresh from the sea to accompany your libations, like Pickled Shetland Mussels, Eyemouth Brown Crab Beignet, Whipped Peterhead Mackerel, and Crispy Panko Squid — and don't forget the oysters.
9. Grape & Grain (Aberdeen)
The city of Aberdeen, also known as the Granite City thanks to its shimmering granite buildings, lies on Scotland's north-east coast and has become a premier cocktail destination in recent years thanks to the influx of new bars in the city center. Head for the city's sophisticated west end, and you'll find Grape & Grain, a luxurious wine bar renowned for its small but carefully curated cocktail menu.
Open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 12 p.m. until midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Booking is recommended if you want to cozy up with a cocktail or two. Classics like a Dark & Stormy, French Martini, or Kir Royale are expertly crafted, but don't be afraid to sample some of the more unusual offerings like the Cucumber Coupe — similar to a Southside — or the Drunken Mapmaker with Mapmakers Spiced rum, coconut liqueur, sugar syrup, pineapple, orange, lime, and bitters.
The ideal spot to impress a date, treat a partner, or simply catch up with friends, Grape & Grain also has a menu of small plates and sharing platters served until 10 p.m. The Ultimate Slate with baked camembert, cured meats, cheeses, hummus, olives, mini sausage rolls, bruschetta, and more is the ideal casual grazing accompaniment to your drinks.
10. Ninety-Nine (Aberdeen)
A laid-back, chilled vibe mid-week and bustling weekends are what this neighborhood cocktail bar is all about. Find Ninety-Nine on Aberdeen's quaint cobbled Back Wynd, a hop, skip, and a jump from the bars and restaurants of Union Street.
Open Mondays through Thursdays from 5 p.m. to midnight, Fridays and Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Sundays from 12 p.m. to midnight, you can enjoy cocktails at Ninety-Nine any night of the week. The menu changes seasonally, with innovative, delicious drinks showcasing the skill, passion, and individual flair of the team's talented bartenders and creators.
The latest menu includes imaginatively-named delights such as the sweet, bubbly, eye-catching Kiwi Go Again and the floral, mouth-filling Pollen Out. Past offerings have been no less intriguing, with the Netlifx & Chill with popcorn-infused Havana Club, hazelnut, oats, Aphrodite Bitters, and Aquafaba or the Steve Blue-schemi with Raspberry Absolut Vodka, Lucky Blue, house lime cordial, and Spanish bitters. Alongside, you can tuck into bao buns, fried chicken, and a range of other small plates.
11. The Tippling House (Aberdeen)
This chic subterranean cellar bar with cozy booths and wood paneling feels like the kind of bar you keep to yourself, and you'll find The Tippling House is a popular spot with locals in the know. Close to Aberdeen's His Majesty's Theater, it's a great spot for a post-show tipple or bite to eat, with a range of small plates and bar snacks served late, like poutine, spiced venison, and haggis savory donuts.
The real reason you're here, though, is to imbibe the delicious cocktails, like the Culture Shock with Jindea gin, Amaro Montenegro, rhubarb, blueberry yogurt, vanilla, lemon, foamer, and Absinthe perfume, or the imaginatively named Velveteen Rabbit with Cutty Sark blended Scotch whiskey, Velvet Falernum, Italicus, dry vermouth, Jasmine cordial, and orange bitters. There's no shortage of innovation on this cocktail menu.
Come earlier in the day and experience the bar's Champagne Bottomless Brunch with free champagne refills and mains like Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffles, Breakfast Poutine with black pudding, streaky bacon, goats cheese curds, fried egg, and miso gravy, or Eggs Royale with sea trout, avocado, hollandaise, and sriracha. There's no reason you can't treat yourself to a cheeky post-brunch cocktail, either.
12. The Old Workshop Bar (Aberdeen)
Aberdeen is a historic city with some stunning architecture, but you'd be forgiven for neglecting the city's harbor area when it comes to hunting down the coolest bars. You'd be missing out on The Old Workshop Bar, though, part of the city's Shiprow Village Project, where an ancient brick tunnel once used as an old maintenance workshop is now a thriving specialty cocktail haven.
The unique atmosphere and setting of this vaulted brick tunnel cellar bar ensures it's the perfect spot for an off-the-wall date or spot to impress, and it's one of the city's most unusual venues. The cocktail menu lives up to the location's off-beat vibe, with libations like the Carda-Yum Coffee with Diplomatico Mantuano rum, yellow chartreuse, cardamom-infused coffee, and Frangelico, or the Rosa Daiquiri with Cocchi Rosa, Diplomatico Planas rum, sugar, chocolate bitters, and acid solution.
Though there's no kitchen serving up food here, if you get the munchies alongside your drinks, you can order food from Shiprow Village partners direct to your table, including loaded fries or pizza. We'd recommend eating before you get here, though, as it's all too easy to spend the whole evening soaking up the historical setting and sampling the cocktail menu.
13. The Bothy Perth (Perth)
Just under an hour and a half's drive from Aberdeen, the city of Perth is small but perfectly formed, with plenty of excellent options for dining and drinking. None more so than The Bothy Perth, with its restaurant serving up lunch, dinner, high tea, and pre-theater menus alongside cocktails served in The Bothy Bar or at outdoor tables in the summer months.
Cocktails here lean on the classic side with favorites like the Old Fashioned, Amaretto Sour, or French 75. Others add a modern twist, like the Rose Negroni with Roku, El Bandero Rose, and Balthazar Rose, or the Pineapple & Basil Mojito with Langs pineapple basil, pineapple, citrus, and soda. If you're here with friends, grab a cocktail flight, or book in for one of The Bothy's Cocktail Masterclasses, with a glass of fizz on arrival, the opportunity to learn to make cocktails like an Espresso Martini or Amaretto Sour, and optional canapes.
Cocktails made you hungry? In the dining room, you can enjoy a full à la carte menu for lunch and dinner, with highlights like Ramsey of Carluke Haggis, Bashed Neeps, and Tatties with root vegetable crisps and whiskey sauce, Flat Iron Steak Frites, or Vegan Fish and Triple Cooked Chips with marinated banana blossom, tartare sauce, crushed peas, dill pickles, lemon, and skin-on fries.
14. 3 Session Street (Dundee)
The Dundee institution that was Sessions Bar, once host to bands including Oasis and Supergrass, got a breath of new life in May 2018 when it re-opened as a late-night cocktail venue 3 Session Street. With a constantly evolving cocktail menu, bookable mixology masterclasses, and group tastings, it's a popular spot for celebrations, meetups with friends, and dates.
Somebody here has had fun naming the venue's cocktails. Favorites include I Hate Mezcal...Said No Juan Ever! with Pensador Mezcal, Tio Pep, Oleo Sacchrum, Hell Fire Bitter, beet, and pineapple float, 28 Days Later with Goslings, Chairman's Reserve White & Spiced, Wray & Nephew, house sour mix, Angostura, falernum, and grapefruit juice, or the White Chocolate Lemon Drizzle with Limoncello, vanilla vodka, White Chocolate Mozart, foamer, and lemon curd.
Soak up the cozy ambiance as you enjoy live music in the evenings, or book a cocktail tea party with a Kir Royale on arrival, an array of savory and sweet treats, and a sharing teapot of your favorite cocktail for two. A sharing scran menu — scran being a Scottish word for food — with small plates includes tasty morsels like Halloumi Fries, Buffalo Cauliflower Bites, and Mac & Cheese Bites, alongside a main menu of hand-stretched pizza, burgers, and chicken wings.
15. Draffens (Dundee)
Scratch under the surface of Dundee's plethora of beer bars and chain restaurants, and you'll find something rather special hidden in a hard-to-find location. This prohibition-style speakeasy, housed in the basement of the old Draffens department store, is tucked away in Couttie's Wynd, but ask any local, and they'll point you in the right direction.
The first thing you'll notice is the opulent 1920s decor, with leather banquettes, mannequins in period clothing, and dim lighting to set a distinct mood. Next, you'll spot the bar staff with their mustaches and suspenders. Finally comes the quirky menu, presented as a Draffens department store catalog, and inspired by characters and events from local history.
The cocktail menu here includes an array of classics with a twist and modern offerings you won't find anywhere else. This is definitely the place to live out your sophisticated negroni, boulevardier, or aviation cocktail dreams in your finest vintage outfit; hat strictly optional but encouraged.