Scotland the best
Edinburgh pubs
Scotland has lots of brilliant hostelries, many in the capital itself...i can drink to that! Bramble Bar
A discreet, unprepossessing basement doorway; cool, comfy and big (internationally big) on cocktails. Mike Aikman and Jas Scott have made a discerning drinkers’ haven on the leading edge of what we’re drinking now and next. Nice Gen X and millennials in the mix(ology) and non-compromising soundtrack (not fluffy lounge music). They get through a lotta limes! bramblebar.co.uk
Café Royal
Behind the Apple shop at the east end of Princes Street, one of Edinburgh’s longest-celebrated pubs. Unrelated to the London version, though there is a similar Victorian/ Baroque elegance. Through the partition is the Oyster Bar (with perfect atmos for oysters and all). caferoyaledinburgh.co.uk
Barony Bar
East Village venue with a mixed clientele and always a good vibe. With a refresh and a rebooted food menu, the Barony is on a roll. Mix-and-match furniture, woody and convivial. Wine is, for some reason, expensive. Newspapers to browse over a Sunday brunch. thebarony.co.uk
The Safari Lounge
Don’t know why it took me so long to cotton on to this vibey bar except its location – just beyond the pale: down from the Abbeyhill junction and the Regent Bar on the road to Meadowbank. Darkish bar at the front, light lounge at the back – both safarified. Mixed crowd of locals and hipsters. Surprisingly eclectic food menu. They say “Quality Provisions & Libations”. This is more or less correct. thesafarilounge.co.uk
Peter Irvine is the author of the essential travel guide Scotland the Best published by Collins, priced £15.99