The Clerk Street bar in Newington runs a queer-friendly alternative programme with eclectic decor, regular drag nights and a quieter dance floor than the Pink Triangle clubs.
Tip: The Saturday alt-rock DJ is the standout, arrive by 22:00 to grab one of the upholstered booths near the bar.
Address: 18-24 Clerk Street, Edinburgh EH8 9HX
Reopened in November 2025 inside The Caledonian Edinburgh, this Japanese jazz-kissa-inspired bar pairs a high-fidelity vinyl rig with a cocktail menu in plush booths.
Tip: Ask the bartender for the side B requests, the room favours full-album playback rather than interrupting tracks for the next pour.
The Lothian Street tiki dive with vinyl on the walls runs the in-house Paradise Palms Records label, a diner menu of vegan and vegetarian food and DJ sets every weekend.
Tip: The back booth seats six and is the only place you can hear the records over the bar, ask the DJ to spin a side from the wall.
The Coen-brothers themed West End lounge bar makes 20 to 30 White Russian variations on the Dude's drink of choice, low-volume vinyl and deep booths.
Tip: Order the Caucasian flight, three half-pour White Russians built around different cream, coffee and spirit ratios for around the price of a long drink.
Self-billed as Scotland's most haunted pub, the labyrinth of vaulted Niddry Street chambers serves cheap beer, free cinema nights and a karaoke room in former medieval cellars.
Tip: The cinema room is free and shows cult films most nights, the back vault has the loudest karaoke if you want to sing without being heard.
The West Bow whisky and cask ale specialist runs a back bar of over 200 Scotch whiskies plus a rotating cellar of Scottish cask, no music and no televisions.
Tip: Ask for one of the bar's own limited bottlings, single cask Highland or Islay releases that are not sold anywhere else in the city.
The Hope Street basement under the corner of Charlotte Square is a candlelit warren of historic wine-cellar vaults serving Scottish seafood and a deep wine list to late night drinkers.
Tip: Find the entrance under the stair on Hope Street, the back-corner booth in the second vault is the best seat for a long conversation.