Visiting Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Fringe is over and while that may be a disappointment to many art enthusiasts and tourist hot spots, it is good news for those of you who really want to explore the city. The crowds are clearing and you can finally get your foot inside many of the secret delights Edinburgh has to offer. Continuing the theme of last month's blog, we have decided to let you in on the most luxurious spots to head for a cocktail in the city. After all, nothing accompanies a solid day's exploring like a local signature apéritif right?
The Voodoo Rooms
If you have a soft spot for all things baroque, we suggest you head to The Voodoo Rooms. Plush, Chesterfield-esque sofas sit against a theatrical backdrop of black and gold, and the room sparkles as light from the hanging chandelier rebounds off sleek surfaces. The atmosphere is serene and elegant; this is certainly the spot for the sophisticated cocktail drinker. The themed cocktail list - crafted by seven highly talented team members - pushes the boundaries of invention. Freshly home-made ingredients, bitters and brews blend with exemplary spirit and liqueur - brands both old and new - to create an intriguing and memorable cocktail experience. As if the beautiful interiors and clever drink concoctions weren't enough, The Voodoo Rooms also features a diverse range of entertainment. Drop in around the time of the Edinburgh Fringe and you can sip original creations while listening to the hottest music around. Wonderful!
Photo supplied by The Voodoo Rooms
Harvey Nichols Fourth Floor Bar
If there is one activity that precedes cocktail tasting like no other it's shopping, and if there is one feature that accompanies cocktail tasting like no other it is views. Luckily, Harvey Nichols know this very well and have created a gorgeous rooftop bar with an exciting cocktail list. Adjacent to the brasserie and restaurant, the Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Bar highlights Harvey Nichols' stunning picture window with incredible views of the north of Edinburgh, Forth Estuary and Kingdom of Fife. With subtle lighting and light music, guests get to sip some of the most innovative cocktails in Edinburgh in unstuffy and sleek surroundings. For the ultimate experience, we recommend visitors take advantage of the exquisite summer menu and enjoy three courses of modern European delicacies with a cocktail for £30.
Photo supplied by Harvey Nichols
One Square
Gin drinkers need look no further than One Square. It is no secret that One Square is the place to head for gin-lovers in Edinburgh. Showcasing their own distinctive, globetrotting gin - distilled at Summerhall Distillery in Edinburgh - this bar never fails to impress on its gin concoctions. If you are not daring enough to try their own unique gin, then you need not worry for the bar features sixty plus different varieties of gin to whet your appetite. This is also the place for those who like to graze as you drink. The One Square menu is home to a seasonal selection of signature creations and the food is pretty as a picture. The best part? Not only are the cocktails gorgeous and the food sublime; the interiors are delightful. From the inviting glass foyer to the ever-popular tables overlooking Edinburgh Castle, this is certainly the place for the refined cocktail sampler who appreciates the finer things.
Photo supplied by One Square Edinburgh
The Balmoral Bar
Those you haven't been to The Balmoral Bar in Edinburgh, wish they had. When they call themselves "Edinburgh's most talked-about bar," they really mean it. Located in The Balmoral Hotel - Edinburgh's most prestigious five-star hotel, The Balmoral Bar is the epitome of chic. Designed by arguably the world's best-known hotelier Olga Polizzi, the interiors are sleek and sophisticated, leaving the entire spectacle to the cocktails. The menu is truly second to none. Glossing over the list of drinks on offer you recognise that each creation has been thought over carefully and is unique. When your chosen delicacy arrives at your table it will never fail to impress. We suggest you take your drinks as an aperitif and head over the Number One; The Balmoral's chief restaurant that offers michelein-starred cuisine in sophisticated surroundings. The Balmoral is definitely the place to head for an experience that is all about the taste. Magnificent.
Photo supplied by The Balmoral Hotel
The Caley Bar
Built in 1903 and set in a Victorian former railway station, Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian - is a historic icon in the heart of Edinburgh. It is at this treasure location where you can experience casual elegance and trendy sophistication at The Caley Bar. Inspired by the heritage of the Caledonian Railway, this luxurious bar offers an historic tribute to the luxury hotel's Victorian past. (Because bars are always more attractive with historic charm right?) The ambiance of the bar is warm with a sense of adventure. Savor pre-diner drinks before hitting one of the two French restaurants designed by the Michelin-starred Galvin brothers or sip on custom cocktails before you explore the city - this bar is a gem. We can assure you, once you've visited once you'll be back again - you might as well book a room the cocktails are so wonderful.
Photo supplied by Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian