The Devil's Advocate in Advocate's Close off the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, opened 2013 in a former Victorian pump house, a stone-walled whisky and cocktail bar.
Food program: Modern Scottish small plates
Tip: Find the bar by going down the steep close from the High Street; the street-level entrance is unmarked.
Address: 9 Advocate's Close, Edinburgh EH1 1ND
Amber whisky bar and restaurant inside The Scotch Whisky Experience on Castlehill in Edinburgh, opened in 1988, a tasting bar pouring 470-plus single malts.
Signature drink: Whisky flight by region
Food: Scottish full menu and afternoon tea
Tip: Book the Region Flight; five drams from five Scottish whisky regions with tutored tasting from a brand ambassador.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society in The Vaults on Giles Street in Leith, opened 1983, the world reference for single-cask whisky with a members bar and tasting room.
Signature drink: Single-cask whisky by the dram
Food: Scottish small plates
Tip: Non-members can buy a day pass for GBP 15 and bring a guest; ask at the door. The Queen Street branch is the New Town sibling.
Stuart McCluskey's Hoot the Redeemer on Hanover Street in Edinburgh New Town, opened 2014, a funfair-themed basement cocktail bar with slushie machines.
Signature drink: Slushie cocktails (frozen Margarita, Pina Colada)
Food: Bar snacks (corn dogs, popcorn, doughnuts)
Tip: The slushie cocktail menu is the volume play; this is a sit-down classic cocktail bar in disguise. Bookings recommended.
The Last Word Saloon on St Stephen Street in Stockbridge Edinburgh, opened 2014, a wood-panelled cocktail bar named after the Prohibition-era drink.
Signature drink: The Last Word (gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino, lime)
Food: Bar snacks
Tip: Sister bars on the same street include The Bon Vivant's Companion; the basement seats fill from 21:00 on Friday.
Amber whisky bar and restaurant inside The Scotch Whisky Experience on Castlehill in Edinburgh, opened in 1988, a tasting bar pouring 470-plus single malts.
Signature drink: Whisky flight by region
Food: Scottish full menu and afternoon tea
Tip: Book the Region Flight; five drams from five Scottish whisky regions with tutored tasting from a brand ambassador.
Stuart McCluskey's Bon Vivant on Thistle Street in Edinburgh New Town, opened 2008, a candlelit wine and cocktail room with rotating European wines.
Signature drink: House negroni or wine by the carafe
Food: Mediterranean small plates
Tip: By-the-glass wine list runs 24 deep; the same operator runs Companion and Hoot the Redeemer two doors down.
The Dome cocktail bar on George Street in Edinburgh New Town, opened 1996 inside the former Commercial Bank building, a glass-domed grand-room space pouring.
Signature drink: Scottish Highball with Highland Park 12
Food: Bar snacks and full restaurant menu
Tip: The Christmas decoration installation in November to January is famously over-the-top; book a window seat ahead.
