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Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, is a playground for bars spanning classic pubs, upmarket cocktail bars, 90's themed bars with arcade games and lively Irish bars, making it perfect for a date. Whether you choose to bar hop down the Cowgate, seek out hidden bars down the Royal Mile closes or hit up the glamorous rooftop bars of the New Town, it's impossible to go out in Edinburgh and not find somewhere cosy to enjoy a bevvy or two. But to help you plan your date a bit more, we've compiled a list of the best bars in Edinburgh for your date night.
Edinburgh: Scotland's Most Romantic City
Why is Edinburgh the Perfect Destination for Couples?
Edinburgh's romance exudes from its cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and scenic views of Edinburgh Castle and Arthur's Seat. The city's rich history and cultural heritage provide countless activities for exploration and discovery. Whether you're strolling up the Royal Mile, sharing an intimate moment at Holyrood Palace, or watching the sunset from Calton Hill, you'll find romance around every corner (and up every hill).
What's the Most Romantic Part of Edinburgh?
If we had to choose the most romantic part of Edinburgh, we'd have to go between the Old Town or Stockbridge. The Old Town is truly unlike anywhere else with its steep, narrow closes lined with secret bars and the castle looming overhead, it creates a cosy and intimate experience. Although only a 20-minute walk from Princes Street, Stockbridge gives off village vibes and is equally as romantic. It's great for strolling along the river or wandering the Edinburgh Botanics during the day.
Now that we've covered exactly why Edinburgh is such a romantic city, let's explore the romantic bars in Edinburgh that are perfect for a memorable date night.
The 15 Most Romantic Bars in Edinburgh, Scotland
1. Bramble
Address: 16A Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 1JE
First on our list of the most romantic Edinburgh bars, is hidden underneath the city, Bramble is a cosy cocktail bar known for its intimate atmosphere and innovative drinks. Sip on handcrafted cocktails while enjoying the dimly lit, candlelit setting with your loved one. But be warned, due to its compact size, spaces inside fill up quickly, so best to arrive early if you're planning your date night there.
2. Panda and Sons
Price: £££
Address: 79 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 4NF
Blink and you'll easily miss our next romantic Edinburgh bar. Disguised as a barbershop, once you find the hidden entrance you'll step into the world of Panda and Sons, a speakeasy-style Edinburgh bar that transports you back to the Prohibition era. The clandestine entrance and vintage décor add an element of mystery to your romantic evening but be warned, drinks can be pricey!
3. Devil's Advocate
Price: £££
Address: 9 Advocate's Cl, Edinburgh EH1 1ND
Hidden down one of Edinburgh's famous closes (alleyways) running down from the Royal Mile and based in an old Victorian pump house, Devil's Advocate offers a charming setting with exposed brick walls and a wide selection of whiskies. It's an ideal spot for couples looking for a warm, rustic atmosphere where you can enjoy delicious food along with refreshing cocktails under candlelight.
4. Paradise Palms
Address: 41 Lothian St, Edinburgh EH1 1HB
For a more quirky and fun Edinburgh bar, head to Paradise Palms, a tropical-themed bar with colourful décor and a lively vibe a stone's throw from Edinburgh University. At this romantic Edinburgh bar, you and your boo can sip a tiki-inspired cocktail and dance the night away under the fluorescent lights.
5. Dragonfly
Price: ££
Address: 52 West Port, Edinburgh EH1 2LD
With its convenient location just below Edinburgh Castle, Dragonfly is an intimate Edinburgh bar perfect for romantic rendezvous. Enjoy a glass of champagne or a signature cocktail while cuddling up in a corner before venturing down to the Grassmarket and the Cowgate to continue your romantic evening.
6. The Blackbird
Price: ££
Address: 37-39 Leven St, Edinburgh EH3 9LH
In Marchmont, The Blackbird offers a quirky setting with plush velvet seating and a great selection of wines making it a great place for a quiet, intimate evening with your love. Dogs are also allowed and if the weather's nice you can enjoy a few drinks on the patio.
7. Brewhemia
Price: £££
Address: 1A Market St, Edinburgh EH1 1DE
Blink and you'll miss it, our next romantic bar in Edinburgh hides away in one of the old closes heading down to Waverley Station which adds another level of intimacy to the surroundings. If you and your partner appreciate craft beer, Brewhemia is the place to be. This beer hall-style bar offers a wide range of brews and a lively atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed date night. And if you're rugby fans, even better! Brewhemia regularly shows live rugby matches to cater to the rugby fanatics that regularly visit the city.
8. Montpeliers
Price: ££
Address: 159-161 Bruntsfield Pl, Edinburgh EH10 4DG
Montpeliers in Brunstfield is a stylish bar with a chic ambience, making it an excellent choice for a romantic dinner date. Enjoy their delectable cocktails and share some tapas with your loved one.
9. Brass Monkey
Price: £
Address: 14 Drummond St, Edinburgh EH8 9TU
A romantic bar in Edinburgh's Old Town decked out in movie posters, the Brass Monkey's eclectic décor only adds to the romantic atmosphere. It's a great spot for couples who appreciate live music and a cosy ambience. There's even a cinema where you can watch all the classics for free while snuggling up to your lover on the comfy couches.
10. The Bon Vivant
Price: ££
Address: 55 Thistle St, Edinburgh EH2 1DY
Tucked away in the picturesque New Town, in a well-decorated bistro, The Bon Vivant is a lively bar with a cosy atmosphere. Its warm and inviting interior, complete with wooden furnishings and candlelit tables, sets the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening. The Bon Vivant offers an extensive selection of cocktails, wines, and spirits to choose from. Share a charcuterie platter or indulge in their delicious small plates while you fall deeper and deeper in love.
11. Hey Palu
Price: ££
Address: 49 Bread St, Edinburgh EH3 9AH
A stone's throw from Usher Hall, this friendly and unpretentious bar has a great selection of drinks, and deliciously fresh snacks (piping hot focaccia and burrato) and specialises in cocktails made with Italian liqueurs in homage to its Italian origins. Previous visitors praise the attentive but never overbearing staff that make you feel looked after and add to the welcoming atmosphere that you never want to leave. Make sure to try the Coconut White Russian and the Nutella Bourbon.
12. Under The Stairs
Price: ££
Address: 3A Merchant St, Edinburgh EH1 2QD
Under The Stairs is another great Edinburgh bar for a date in the New Town. Proudly 'cosy, casual and shabby chic', they serve a heap of delicious cocktails including Disco to Pisco, 70's garnish and Some like it hot all costing around £8-10. This romantic Edinburgh bar operates by table service only so we recommend booking ahead to make sure you get a space. The food is also delicious and innovative if you and your date get hungry, we recommend the duck lasagne for the delicious date sauce alone.
13. Hoot The Redeemer
Price: ££
Address: 7 Hanover St, Edinburgh EH2 2DL, United Kingdom
Our next bar in Edinburgh takes us to the iconic Hanover Street. Spoilt with great bars, this quirky cocktail bar is a standout and claims to be the unofficial king of the cocktail slushy. Their drinks menu is definitely unique - they've been inspired by tarot which is sure to be an ice breaker if you're on a first date. Once you had a few drinks, you and your date can play retro arcade machines and eat fun alcoholic ice creams - perfect for a fun date night idea.
14. The Alchemist
Price: £££
Address: 414 St James Quarter, Edinburgh EH1 3AE
Another romantic bar in Edinburgh's New Town, at The Alchemist, they transform simple cocktail making a theatre show. You don't need to book ahead, but it's wise to do so especially if you're planning a date on the weekend. Once you get to their chic and modern bar on the fourth floor of the St. James Quarter, you'll be blown away by the theatrics and eye for detail that create the most show-stopping cocktails. Their drinks menu is said to be inspired by Edinburgh's links to the dark arts and on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, you can enjoy table service from 9pm and hear music from their resident DJ. For another fun date idea, take part in their masterclass where you can bond with your date as you learn how to create show-stopping cocktails of your own.
15. Mortal Kocktail
Price: ££
Address: 1, 29 Craig's Cl, Cockburn St, Edinburgh EH1 1BN
Another Edinburgh arcade bar that's great for breaking the ice on your first date, Mortal Kocktail exudes 80s/90s nostalgia with its cocktails named after computer games, pinball machines, board games and funky music. This bar is great if you or your date are travelling by train thanks to its handy location near Waverley Station, making easy to pop in to for a quick bevvy. Plus, their espresso martinis are said to be truly perfect or if you fancy a throwback, order a can of Hooch!
Which Romantic Edinburgh Bar Will You Visit?
As you can see, Edinburgh offers an array of romantic bars for couples to grow closer in. From dimly lit cocktail bars to nostalgia packed joints, there's something to suit every kind of couple and if you can't decide on just one to visit, you can easily just choose a spot to meet up and have an impromptu pub crawl down the Cowgate, Queen Street or elsewhere in the city.
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