TOP RATED COCKTAIL BARS IN SCOTLAND
Over the last few years a thriving cocktail scene has developed in Scotland as more and more people opt for something more exotic than just beer or wine. This has allowed bartenders across the country to get creative and explore new combinations.
Scotland is world renown for quality food & drink so the growth of speciality bars putting their spin on famous cocktails it will only add to Scotland’s reputation. This isn’t just a trend in the major cities as even bars in highlands are shaking things up and adding a little bit of Scotland to the cocktail scene.
CHAMPAGNE CENTRAL (GLASGOW)
This Champagne bar overlooks Central Station and evokes the golden age of travel, with a sash of style and lashings of charm. The bar boasts true decadence with luxury seating areas, exclusive booths, marble tables and our personal favourite, an extended bar
As well as quality drink their food is flavoursome, and focuses on small plates and sharing boards. Afternoon tea has a special place on the menu and is best taken with a glass of Champagne.
They have won several awards including Best Hotel Bar in Glasgow at the 2019 Best Bar None awards.
BAR ONE (INVERNESS)
Since they opened in 2009 Bar One has been pioneering the cocktail scene in Inverness. Their team has grown over the years with their talented mixologists working tirelessly to deliver up to date and trendsetting cocktails that gain them worldwide notoriety.
The venue is perfect for date nights, catch ups and epic nights out with friends. The put a lot of effort into their food with their signature stone baked pizzas perfectly complimenting the amazing cocktails.
KILLIECRANKIE HOUSE (PITLOCHRY)
Sitting in scenic woodland, ten miles north of Pitlochry, the owners have created a fine dining restaurant and cocktail bars with rooms all within a charming country house. They moved from London to Perthshire with a vision of celebrating Scottish dishes, serving a single set menu for guests at dinner with drink pairings curated by sommelier Matilda.
They take their cocktails seriously at Killiecrankie House. The ethos of the restaurant is rooted in storytelling and finding Scottish produce that is interesting, something that people may not have tried before and that is translated into what we do in the bar.
The bar has Art Deco design and a playful approach to the rural aesthetic. Throughout the house we have the same sort of colours, a lot of dark navy. It feels modern Scottish, quite cosy” Matilda says. “The bar itself is decadent and fun. The sort of place you want to linger for a few drinks. Alongside guests staying with us we get a lot of walkers in the area, and they stop by for something refreshing like a spritz or a cobbler.
THE WEST HOUSE (DUNDEE)
Located in the city’s West End this bar was born of the back of the owners previous success with Snow Bar. West House manages to stand out in a popular area filled of great independent bars, restaurants and a casino. They’ve become a popular place for people to visit before visiting the Rep Theatre or the Dundee Contemporary Arts Cinema.
While they offer a good selection of beers, wines and spirits, it is their cocktails that they’re most well known for. These cocktails pair well with their brunch, lunch or pizza & pasta menus so visitors can combine quality cocktails with quality food.
Located in a prime position on the corner of Dundee’s exclusive cultural quarter, The West House cultivates it’s own niche in Dundee’s vibrant social scene. They strive to create an environment that everyone can enjoy.
THE FINNIESTON (GLASGOW)
Described as Glasgow’s premier gin bar, this chic establishment was once a 19th-century Drover’s Tavern, now also incorporating a fine seafood restaurant. Its cocktail menu Undiscovered Depths is inspired by the local art culture and the restaurant’s nautical themes, with sea creature watercolours adorning the pages.
Drinks are categorised and matched according to these ocean creatures characteristics, under categories such as Shark (cocktails with bite), Turtle (universally loved, friendly favourites) and Octopus (weird, wonderful and experimental). It’s certainly a novel way to choose your cocktail and makes for a truly unique evening of sophisticated drinking.
Over 60 of the best gins around are pair with fresh ethically sourced Scottish seafood. The team pride themselves on serving the best locally sourced produce and exceptional cocktails crafted by award winning bartenders.
BAR TONIC (EDINBURGH)
Located on North Castle Street, just off George Street in Edinburgh’s city centre, Tonic is the hidden gem that is an essential ingredient in any good night out. With their experienced bar team and top notch DJs they will provide locals and tourists alike with a memorable experience.
Their award winning cocktail menu is perfectly crafted over a several months by the team at Bar Tonic to ensure that there is something for everyone. Whether a visitor is looking to mix things up, has a favourite cocktail or throw back an old fashioned everyone is taken care of at Bar Tonic.
SCOTCH & RYE (INVERNESS)
The drinks scene in Inverness has been given a good shake-up by bars such as this. While it may hark back to the underground 1920s’ speakeasy vibe courtesy of prohibition Chicago with some added steampunk, the attitude to mixology here is distinctly modern.
Classics are given a contemporary twist, such as Salted Caramel White Russian or Coconut and Ginger Mojito. Whisky fans are given plenty of love here, too, with an enticing, globe-trotting menu of spirits for sipping, featuring plenty of options from across the pond. The US-style comfort food menu full of burgers, dogs, ribs and Tex-Mex favourites chimes nicely with the transatlantic ethos.
GRAPE & GRAIN (ABERDEEN)
Owner Jeanette Forbes launched this bar to provide similar stylish bars that they have in Glasgow, London or Edinburgh to the West End of Aberdeen. She wanted an informal atmosphere where people can go to unwind after a long day, meet up with friends or business acquaintance.
The offer a wide selection of the finest craft beers brewed in Scotland as well as an extensive range of Scottish botanical gins and whiskies. They have a range of 40 wines supplied to them by award winning Berkmann Wine Cellar and glasses of champagne from the house of Laurent-Perrier.
They have picked up numerous accolades over the years such as winning Gin Bar of the Year at the 2020 Scottish Bar & Brew Awards and were finalists for Wine Bar of the Year at the 2022 Scottish Entertainment & Hospitality Awards.
PANDA & SONS (EDINBURGH)
This family run prohibition style bar has gone from strength to strength since it opened in November 2013.
Although themed, it is certainly not a venue of style over substance and the cocktails on offer are first-class, refined and intelligent. There are six chapters of the menu to peruse and presented in numerical order, each showcasing various skills in the drinks’ creation.
Although there is a wide choice of menus, the selection of drinks on each is relatively concise. Chapter One offers drinks made using sous vide, clarification and fat washing techniques – among others – resulting in drinks such as the Switched Negroni, which is made using Citrus Star of Bombay, Cocchi Torino and Campari.
Chapter Two through to Six present drinks made with ingredients from other famous cocktail bars, and includes drinks such as Tian Tian made using sugar snap pea cordial, Boutique-ey Gin Gin Panda, Dolin dry, verjus, Ahus Akvavit and absinthe
THE ADAMSON (ST ANDREWS)
Located in the heart of St Andrews, The Adamson recently celebrated a decade of being the go to place to eat drink and socialise. Their bar features a modern decor in an elegant setting which welcomes locals, golfers and walkers who pass through.
They regularly create seasonal menus as part of their dedication to using the freshest ingredients and dedication to sustainability. Their cocktail menu features some signature drinks such as Smokey Old Fashioned, cosmopolitan and the 150th.
The bar is historic as it sits on the grounds of the Adamson family home which dates back to the early 1800s. The Adamson’s oldest son John was a pioneer photographer taking the first calotype portrait in Scotland in 1841.
