The converted Victorian pump house down Advocate's Close off the Royal Mile holds over 300 whiskies under stone walls and warm amber lighting, an award-winning cocktail list.
Tip: The bar staff are happy to lead a whisky flight on the spot, ask for a smoke-led tasting if you want the peaty Islay end of the back bar.
Address: 9 Advocate's Close, Edinburgh EH1 1ND
The Stockbridge basement bar from the team behind Bramble runs a tighter cocktail list around the namesake Last Word, with armchairs, a working fireplace and weekend gigs.
Tip: Saturday acoustic sets start around 21:30, the back room is the warmest seat and the only one where you can hear the players over the bar chat.
The Bread Street aperitivo bar inspired by Fellini's La Dolce Vita holds the UK's largest Amari collection at nearly 75 bottles, regular fixture on the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list.
Tip: Order an off-menu Negroni built around an unfamiliar Amaro, the staff are pleased to walk you through the collection rather than rush you out.
Open since 1994 next to the Edinburgh Playhouse, CC Blooms is Scotland's longest-running gay bar and club, drag cabaret and dance floor under one roof in the Pink Triangle.
Tip: Pre-theatre cocktails upstairs are quiet, the downstairs dance floor only really fills up after midnight on a Friday or Saturday.
Edinburgh's longest-running gay bar sits next door to CC Blooms in the Pink Triangle, reasonably priced drinks, a snooker table, an arcade and nightly drag and DJ sets.
Tip: The Tuesday drag bingo regularly outdraws the Saturday DJ for laughs, arrive by 21:00 to get a booth in the back room.
The glass-fronted independent on the corner of Picardy Place is the daytime cafe end of the Pink Triangle, with outdoor seating, that turns into a busy bar and dance floor.
Tip: Sunday brunch with bottomless mimosas pulls a queue, the downstairs club opens around 22:00 if upstairs feels too bright.
Edinburgh's gay real ale pub at the top of Abbeymount runs a rotating Cask Marque cellar and CAMRA Good Beer Guide listing in a quiet local pub well away from the Pink Triangle.
Tip: The walk up from the Playhouse is steep, the rotating five cask lines and friendly regulars are the reward at the top.