Pubs and Bars, Beers and Cocktails, Wines and Whisky

The area around George Street, Rose Street and Thistle Street has the greatest concentration of bars in the city ranging from the traditional spit and sawdust to some of the coolest and funkiest bars around. Get to the centre, take a walk and take your pick.

Fling on the bling, slip on the stilettos and sashay on down to Tiger Lily's, The Living Room, Opal Lounge, Bramble Bar and Dragonfly to chill on champagne, sip cocktails, down shooters and get ready to party!

Experience real old Edinburgh pubs and enjoy some traditional ales, good conversation and great whisky at Mathers, the Abbottsford, Bow Bar, Café Royal, Bennett's, or go for a half and a half and enjoy the craic and live music at Sandy Bell's.

Go on a literary tour and sample the stories at the Oxford Bar, made famous as the favourite haunt of Ian Rankine's Inspector Rebus, Deacon Brodie's – the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's Jeckyll and Hyde, the Cumberland Bar the ‘local' in Alexander McCall Smith's contemporary 44 Scotland Street and Espresso Tales, the Conan Doyle near the birthplace of the author of Sherlock Holme's, Greyfriar's Bobby Bar tells the true story of a devoted Skye Terrier who spent 14 years guarding his master's grave and the Kenilworth, named after Sir Walter Scott's romantic tragedy are but some of what Edinburgh has to offer for book and beer fans.

For other suggestions check out World's Best Bars and Edinburgh Pub Guide.