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As students flock back to Edinburgh, the city’s bars are ready to welcome them with open arms
What Visitors Should Know About Edinburgh’s Bar Scene
Edinburgh has one of the finest bar scenes in Europe, from 17th-century pubs to rooftop cocktail bars. The trick is knowing where to go, because the tourist-facing bars on the Royal Mile and Grassmarket are rarely the best.
- The best cocktail bars are hidden — literally. Panda & Sons on Queen Street is behind a barber shop door. Bramble on Queen Street is down an unmarked staircase. Edinburgh’s cocktail culture thrives on the speakeasy model, and finding these places is half the fun. Ask a bartender at any decent bar and they’ll point you to the next one.
- Edinburgh’s whisky bars teach you more than any distillery tour. The Bow Bar on Victoria Street has over 300 whiskies and bar staff who can guide a tasting based on your preferences. Usquabae on Hope Street does whisky flights with tasting notes. These are educational experiences disguised as evenings out.
- The student-friendly bars in Newington and Tollcross are the best value. The Dagda, The Auld Hoose, and Cloisters on Brougham Street serve excellent real ales and decent pub food at prices that won’t empty your wallet. Cocktail offers at places in these areas are genuine deals, not marketing gimmicks.
- Pub closing time in Edinburgh is 1am, not 11pm. Scotland’s licensing laws are more relaxed than England’s. Most Edinburgh pubs serve until 1am, and some bars have 3am licences. There’s no “last orders panic” at 10:45pm like in English cities. The evening unfolds at its own pace.
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In today’s email:
- Freshers Frenzy: £7 Cocktails Take Edinburgh by Storm!
- Collect your gift! – A Free Digital Copy Of The Ultimate Edinburgh Travel Guide
- The Return of Flying Scotsman
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Edinburgh’s Hottest Student Deals for Freshers Week: Patron Saint and The Cocktail Mafia Unveil £7 Cocktails!
As the buzz of freshers week descends upon Edinburgh, two of the city’s most exciting venues, Patron Saint and The Cocktail Mafia, have a scintillating offer for students.
Get ready to sip your way through a vibrant array of cocktails, each priced at just £7, as these venues set the stage for unforgettable nights out.
The Cocktail Mafia’s Student Cocktails (Available Sunday to Wednesday)
- Boiler Maker
- Margarita
- Negroni
- Espresso Martini
- Daiquiri
- G & T
Patron Saint’s Student Cocktails (Available Sunday to Wednesday)
- Classic Bloody Mary
- Espresso Martini
- Aperol Spritz
- House red/white/rose wine
- £5 gin/vodka/rum mixers
The Cocktail Mafia: A Taste of Glamour in the West End
Location: Edinburgh’s West End
The Cocktail Mafia, a recent addition to Edinburgh’s thriving nightlife, has quickly become a standout destination. With its opulent décor and a unique blend of edgy glamour and elegance, this cocktail bar promises an extraordinary drinking experience. The venue adds a touch of theatrical flair to every drink, ensuring that your night out is nothing short of spectacular.
Patron Saint: Where Neighborhood Charm Meets Culinary Delights
Location: Bruntsfield
Nestled in the heart of Bruntsfield, Patron Saint is not just a bar; it’s a neighborhood gem. With eclectic interiors that offer a cozy yet vibrant ambiance, this establishment is more than just a place to grab a drink. They also boast a delicious all-day dining and brunch menu, along with a dedicated Bloody Mary menu for those looking for a distinctive twist on this classic cocktail.
As students flock back to Edinburgh for freshers week, there’s no better way to kickstart the festivities than by exploring the vibrant world of cocktails offered by The Cocktail Mafia and Patron Saint. With their enticing £7 student-offer cocktails, these venues are set to make your freshers week memorable.
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The Return of Flying Scotsman
Around The Web
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A Traveller’s Perspective
Edinburgh’s student bar scene is lively and a genuine part of the city’s character, especially during Freshers Week when the city fills with new arrivals exploring their surroundings. The cocktail deals during this period are excellent value, but the best thing about Edinburgh’s bars is not the prices — it is the variety. Within a ten-minute walk you can go from a medieval cellar bar to a rooftop cocktail lounge with castle views.
For cocktails, try Bramble on Queen Street — a speakeasy-style bar that is widely regarded as one of the best in Scotland. For traditional pub atmosphere, the Bow Bar on Victoria Street has an outstanding whisky selection and no music, which means you can actually have a conversation. For views with your drink, the rooftop bar at the Johnnie Walker experience on Princes Street overlooks the castle. If you are on a budget, most bars in the Grassmarket and Cowgate area offer student deals throughout term time.
Edinburgh at night has a particular atmosphere. The Old Town is lit by street lamps that cast long shadows on the stone walls. The closes and wynds leading off the Royal Mile are dark and narrow, their cobblestones slick with evening mist. You step into a bar and the warmth hits you — low ceilings, the murmur of conversation, the smell of malt whisky and wood polish. A pint of Scottish craft beer in a centuries-old building, with the castle lit up outside the window, is a good way to end any day.
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