Bramble

What a charming place!! And I loved the ode to some school R&B artists. I would definitely recommend this to others and come back the next time I visit. The service from the bartender was absolutely outstanding and he accommodated my allergens wonderfully (which is not an easy feat).

This is my kind of place. It's small, it's unpretentious from the outside, it doesn't call itself a speakeasy despite the understated exterior and moody interior, it's not packed full of Instagram influencer wannabes, the staff is super, and the drinks are solid. I did feel a moment of cringe when I saw the giant clear iceblock, having not so great experiences with the obnoxious pretension of similar bars using those, but that hipster-aversion was quickly allayed. The staff was welcoming and cool. (Cool cool, not cold-shoulderish.) Laid back. I could tell it was the type of vibe I prefer. The space is intimate, and the backbar full. We took a table overlooking the bar and got the full show. Music wasn't too loud or in your face, just melodic ambient beats. And I do appreciate their attention to preventing flash photography as it's a small, dim venue and blinding flash is at best annoying, and at worst harmful. The cocktails are not showy. And that's fine with me. Not all cocktails need fancy garnishes and glassware to shine. After all, it's about flavour more than gimmicky presentation. I'm going to be honest that I don't actually remember the first cocktail I ordered as it was a few months back, but at the time I was very impressed by it. I then ordered the Affinity which is a prebatch in a bottle. I always find that a bit like cheating, but I also know people like the novelty of pouting their own drink at their table. I didn't like it as much as the others, but it was still a solidly good drink. So between smooth, well-balanced and crafted drinks, the chill ambience, and the lovely staff, it was definitely a 5-star sort of experience.

This cocktail is the best kept secret in Edinburgh! The cocktail are absolutely first class and the staff are really friendly and attentive. I particularly liked the fact that this bar is table and bar service with lots of small intimate spaces to sit as a couple or with a grown of friends. The music is contemporary but not too loud, so you can actually have a conversation. Also, being hard to find, this bar tends to only be frequented by locals not tourists which is refreshing for a city so busy with tourists. We can’t wait to go back - five stars.

the cocktails and the bartender were excellent. HOWEVER, because they are burning so many oil lamps, lots of volatile compounds get mixed in the air and because the only open window/door is the main entrance, i could not stop coughing. i beg the business to consider less toxic options (eg not burning anything, even) as we had to leave pretty quickly even though we wanted to stay and try some more cocktails.

Adored this bar and its amazing cocktails. Both Sam and Cameron were great bartenders with brilliant customer service. Very professional and a real experience for those who enjoy a proper cocktail. Personally recommend their amaretto sour made with their in house made amaretto.

Creative cocktail menu. You won’t find these anywhere else. Intimate basement venue and experienced cocktail mixologists.

Bramble is an absolute gem! My friends and I instantly vibed with the DJ’s playlist—it set the perfect tone for the night. Of course, the cocktails stole the show. First up was the Copita, bursting with ginger flavor and easily a 10/10 for me. My friend convinced me to try the Kimchi Tai, and though I was skeptical, the kimchi twist worked surprisingly well—solid 8/10. Finally, the Bramble: a stunning mix of gin, lemon, and blackberry, perfectly balanced and another 10/10. If you're looking for a fun spot to unwind with friends and enjoy great drinks, Bramble is where it's at!

Great cocktails, great service and diverse selection of drinks which keeps things interesting. Definitely a place to visit if you are into your cocktails. Fairly reasonabley priced for what you get too. It loses one star because the soundtrack is always hip hop. But that is a purely personal opinion. Other people might love it more for this reason.

Excellent cocktails, very quaint and comfortable atmosphere. Outgoing and personable staff. We had a little bit of a hard time finding it, *** look for the green astroturfing just underneath the dry cleaners** there is a stairwell leading you down to their entrance.

Bramble is an absolute gem! My friends and I instantly vibed with the DJ's playlist--it set the perfect tone for the night. Of course, the cocktails stole the show. First up was the Copita, bursting with ginger flavor and easily a 10/10 for me. My friend convinced me to try the Kimchi Tai, and though I was skeptical, the kimchi twist worked surprisingly well--solid 8/10. Finally, the Bramble: a stunning mix of gin, lemon, and blackberry, perfectly balanced and another 10/10. If you're looking for a fun spot to unwind with friends and enjoy great drinks, Bramble is where it's at!

This place was super cute and cozy. The staff members were very friendly. They even gave recommendations for other spots to check out. Only complaint is they would not let us take a picture with a flash.

Delicious cocktails. I had the signature Bramble and a mezcal apricot drink. Very loud! I will try again not Friday night.

Matthew was a super friendly and talented bartender. Loved the vibe here and the chilled out hip-hop helped set the move. Quality cocktails.

Ambiance was great! Staff was terribly nice and accommodating! The drinks were superb - this is a hidden gem and highly recommended! Super neat tucked away cocktail lounge

This is a tucked away cocktail haven. A local tour guide recommended this joint and I'm so thrilled he did! Seriously, super incredible. The bartenders have an extensive repertoire with spirits and the menu has a lot of diversity. 100% need to saddle up here for a few hours and keep the rounds going to try super inventive libations.

Cool hidden bar tucked underground playing old school hip hop. There are a couple nooks for seating, which is nice and cozy. I could never get enough of the candles in all the restaurants and bars in Edinburgh, which really sets the mood. As a lover of all things whiskey, I chose the Affinity cocktail (£9.50), which came in its own bottle that was bottled and aged in-house --how freaking awesome! The bottle design was so cool that I couldn't help but keep it as a keepsake. To add, the cocktail itself was delicious as well with hints of honey and smoke. This is the perfect spot for a date and a fancy cocktail or two for the night. Since the space does get a bit crowded, I'd recommend coming as early as you can to get a cozy seat though.

Hands down my favorite bar in Edinburgh. They were playing amazing music, and the environment was dark and intimate. They had candles lit up, and tables tucked away in corners of the bar. Bartenders were so sweet too. I had the drinks - Bramble, and Grand Central (for gin lovers). I then saw that people were ordering a drink that I later came to find out was the Get Steppin' with Mezcal. Hands down without a doubt the best Mezcal cocktail I've ever had. I ordered 3 of them. The place was hard to find but also not impossible (which makes the experience of finding a speakeasy fun and not to difficult lol). Bramble is a must visit!

I'd read that this was one of the best bars in the world. The world!? Surely it can't be that good, can it? My friends, yes. Yes, it is this good. Finding it can be fun. There is no signage streetwise to find this place. With my trusty phone for gps and the knowledge it was under an alterations place, we had found the place. There is a small plaque to the right of the door to let you know that you've found it. Interior of the place is nice. Inviting and low key. The barman working when we were in was very kind. We'd ordered the Bramble because of namesake and the Kinslayer because I dream of being one someday. The Bramble was nice and refreshing but the drink we ordered more of was the Kinslayer. Gin with a cardamom/pistachio/orange blossom simple syrup, lime, and a spritz of absinthe. Flawless cocktail. Great music. Great bartender. What's not to love? 5 stars and a well deserved best bar title.

This may be my favorite speakeasy ever! It's in the basement of the building. You will hear some great 90s hip hop songs while you search their extensive drink menu. I tried the mint 500, which was a good drink to kick off the night. I also ask the bartender to make a drink for me when I told him some of the things I like, boy did he nail it. We had some of the best drinks in the world here and wish we could come here more often.

There are certain expectations to a speak-easy, and Bramble exceeded all of them. The first thing wanted from such a joint, is that it be a little "secretive". It's fun to figure out how to get in to a hidden spot. It almost felt like cheating as we wandered the area of the address, and a couple slipped past us and went down stairs to a what felt like a dark apartment. When they didnt come back up, we went down. We pulled on a door that was in a dark corner and it opened. We thought better for a second, then walked in. We had found it. there was some chill R&B tune from the 80's playing with a deep bass track. People were tucked away into corners of the place, all looking like they were having a great time. The bartender was the waiter too, he came over promptly. After a glance at the unique and standard drinks they made, I got a scotch, and she got a "dealers choice" She asked the guy to make something he thought she would like. He brought over 2 great drinks. we kicked back as the music jumped from 80's rap to a 90's heavy metal tune. Everything was great. we stayed for another couple rounds, then we called it a night. We both agreed, one of the best spots we hit in town.

Wow. This place is great. Very inventive, unusual drinks; you can also tell the bartender your fav spirits and flavors and will get a lovely drink surprise! On the smaller size for a bar, but enough room for standing and sitting (limited couch seating and cozy back areas where groups can sit). Live dj, great tunes (electro/indie/beats the night we went). The music is loud, so good for a night out, but maybe not a first date ...unless your date is really cool. Protips: The entrance is below street level, so look for bouncer and dark stairwell. Also, propers to Michael for being happy, handsome and for making a killer cocktail.

Bramble create and serve some of the most unique and delicious cocktails I have ever tasted. It's so good I visited for one drink and ended up staying for three! The absolute embodiment of the phrase "hidden gem" - as we literally had to search to find it. Bramble is located in an unsignposted, underground basement on Queen Street and is extremely difficult to locate. We arrived early at just after 4pm (opening time) and the one Barman on duty provided us with glasses of water, table service, seriously gorgeous cocktails and entertainment in the form of measuring, mixing and creating behind the bar. However, Bramble's subterranean location ensures it is windowless, dark and slightly damp smelling. So this is definitely a cocktail bar for night time, not early evening drinking. There's also a very youthful vibe as loud music plays and the decor is an eclectic mix of second hand tables, cool bed-style sofas and old school music decks and turntables. Definitely worth a visit to sample the unique atmosphere and luscious cocktails in flavour combinations you'll not find elsewhere and all at very reasonable prices.

This speak-easy style cocktail bar is worth searching for! Difficult to find, but once you do you'll be treated to delicious, unique cocktails that are more like works of art. While small and dark, this adds to the intimate ambiance. We ordered 5 different cocktails and were impressed by each and every one of them. I suggest starting with their signature drink, The Bramble, which is Gin based. Overall great drinks and service!

Want to feel like a hip local in Edinburgh? Love craft cocktails? Then this is the place for you!! The drinks are delicious and unique. The staff are polite and attentive and informed. Yes, it's loud, but that's the vibe! It's not stuffy or mild mannered. Amazing cocktails in a hip bar.

What a neat little speakeasy style bar. The drinks were wonderful, although if you are American, be aware that the liquor pours in Scotland are much smaller than the standard pour in the USA (I believe it's about half the amount of alcohol). The flavors in the cocktails however were phenomenal and the atmosphere made you feel like you were in the 1920s prohibition era. On a side note, it can be a little difficult to find. We used google GPS and we went around and around the block for about 30 minutes until I realized that the location was actually down a set of stairs "underground" if you will. There is a VERY small silver plaque that says "Bramble" outside the door. Anyways, this place is great and I recommend it!

What a cocktail bar! Staying at the George hotel the bar staff told us about this little gem and what a gem! Staff were fantastic and cocktails mind blowing highly recommend it!

Not sure how this place earned its status as one of the best X bars in the world. The drinks are really done well but the space is very cramped. The early 90's hip hop jams are great, but it is so loud you can't talk to anyone. There's so few seats and the standing area is awkward. I've been to a lot of high end / trendy cocktail bars and you usually want an atmosphere to chill and be able to chat with your friends without having to scream. I did have a decent time here one night which was in the winter in the middle of the week and it was pretty dead. Bartender was friendly and I enjoyed the concoctions he whipped up for me. I guess it's cool because it's in the basement of a building without a sign and someone gets to tell you if you can go in our not. Kind of over that, there's about 20 of those in NYC. As with all bars....YMMV.

I have to accept I'm simply not the demo for this place. Thanks to Yelp we found it easily enough. The small knot of chaps enjoying a smoke on the stairs down should have warned me as one of them, at least, was smoking something other than tobacco. Inside was a dark cavern of a place with random chairs, tables and benches and one corner which appeared to be more bed than comfy couch. We found a spot against the wall, on a hard bench which was doubly uncomfortable due to the ear-splitting expletive-leaden hip-hop 'music' blasting in our ears. The cocktails, however, were excellent - best margarita I've had in ages - and while we had intended sampling a few of their special concoctions, we bailed after one due to the irredeemably awful venue. As I said, I'm probably not the the type of clientele they seek to attract and they got that bit right. The rating reflects the cocktails only.

It's telling that Bramble has a few 'guest' drinks on their menu from such internationally well-renowned bars as NYC's Milk & Honey and London's 69 Colebrooke Row. This is the caliber of cocktail crafting that is exhibited in the cosy cavern a mere few minutes walk from Edinburgh's city centre. Being a lover of all concoctions with coloured spirits, the Campbelltown Cocktail with a Springbank 10 year base caught my eye (and my tastebuds). On-menu offerings tend to be contemporary takes on traditional recipes, but undoubtedly you could go wild with some off-menu requests to tap the creativity of the folks behind the counter. Anyone who follows the DrinkBoston blog is likely to know what they're doing with a jigger and a shaker. Bramble's fine bartenders are no exceptions to this rule.

Speakeasy that you wouldn't even know is there but for a security guard out front. Not a ton of seats but cozy. A lot of old school hip hop music and memorabilia, which a-ok for me! Only stayed for one drink since we couldn't get seats. Worth going early to get some real estate and settling in for a fun night!

Oh my. Those cocktails. That sexy, intimate romantic-dungeon setting. Table service... well, 'table service' as the boy and I did not exactly sit at a table but a bench/bed alcove situation, scattered with pillows and lit with tealights. The space is quite small, and indeed it's a converted basement, but it's shiny and cosy enough to feel right at home in a speakeasy sort of way. The cocktail menu is fairly extensive and creative and the drinks, whilst not overly strong, are unique and delicious. One star off because of the music. I know it's in a popular area of New Town and it's a trendy bar, but I feel the intimate decor and sexy cocktails want more of smooth jazz-type tunes and they were blasting Beyonce (and I mean blasting - in such a small space we had to near shout to hear each other over the music, and we didn't even have a speaker in our alcove). If they'd turn the music down (yes, I'm an old biddy) it'd be a five-star spot for sure.

I absolutely loved Bramble! My friend and I live pretty far from queen's street - but the walk was SO worth it. Bramble is hands down my favorite cocktail bar in Edinburgh. 1) Drinks (4/5) They're all unique innovations - nothing on the menu is your typical cocktail (except the Bramble, of course right?). My friend got the "Only Exception" which had salted-caramel green tea infused vodka as the spirit and I got the "Alexander's Ghost," a blend of "cream gin"(redistilled at Bramble), vermouth, and chocolate bitters (quite a boozy drink like the waitress said). While I wasn't blown away by the drinks we had that night, it was definitely enough together me to come back to try some of the others. Prices are very reasonable (~£7-9 per drink) 2) Service (5/5) Our waitress was SO helpful in deciding cocktails. With a menu as unique and complex as Bramble's it was nice to have a waitress who could answer ALL our questions - especially about their unique ingredients. 3) Ambiance (5/5) You have to go below the street to get to Bramble - it's identified by only a tiny sign. Entering, you'll be greeted with a dim-candle lit atmosphere and electro/pop/dance/chill music (depending on the time you come). You can choose to sit at your typical bar table, or perhaps you prefer a nice cushioned nook to hole up in. Bramble is the perfect place for deep conversations (though it can get a little loud), enjoying drinks, and having a good time.

Bramble is a fantastic little bar, hidden away in a cellar in Queen Street - this is one of those places that you don't just stumble upon, someone in the know has to take you there. When I say it's little, it is very very small, there is probably only room for about twenty people down here. I'm not sure Bramble would be able to operate on bigger premises, with more people the bar staff wouldn't be able to give such high standards of personal service nor take as much time over the construction of your drink. Cocktails are the speciality and the art of making and creating them is taken very seriously, so don't expect your drink to arrive quickly, it will be made with precision and precision takes time. As a famous booze ad once said 'good things come to those who wait'. The wait is definitely worth it though, the cocktails are presented to you in teacups and they taste mighty fine. This is the place to come for an intimate drink with a good friend who appreciates the finer things in life.

Hot damn, this bar is awesome. I felt like a cooler version of myself here and here's why: -The staff are excellent at their jobs. They provide impeccable customer service and drop serious knowledge in a way that allows you to learn and blossom without feeling belittled or embarrassed. Let them be your experts in their bar and they can guide you to the best drinks. -The somewhat hidden locale ups that cool factor as well. Being below street level you feel like you're at a bar no one else has discovered. It's your own little cave and hideaway. -The music is awesome. -The other people drinking at the bar are just as fanatical about a great cocktail as you are. This means the folks are easygoing and fun to chat with. You can strike up a convo here with a stranger and by the end of the night you're all friends. -The decor is fun. It's effortless yet really classy. The freshly painted walls, the mismatched chairs and tables... it's that style where it looks at though someone put almost no thought into the design but that's exactly why it looks so great. The focus here is on the drinks not the cushions. -Lastly and most importantly, the drinks really are outstanding.

Bramble is one of these places you can feel quite smug about taking visitors to, as it's the kind of bar you need to have inside knowledge about, location wise anyway. Away from the main strip of bars on George Street and Hanover Street, and residing subtly at basement level just off Queen Street, Bramble mixes up classy, stylish and funky in a cocktail infused, DJ accompanied atmosphere. The bar area is small, with sultry lighting and little pockets of cosy, cave-esque seating and big armchairs, where you can lounge with friends or with whoever you please. This is certainly an "intimate" setting, although something about that word makes we want to laugh immaturely, as it just sounds far too grown up. Let me put it a better way, if you've lived in Edinburgh for a lot of your life, and you're fed up with the nosey, gossiping eyes of people you know peering to see how your date's going, then I would recommend Bramble as a safe house to hide away in. Aside from just being a very cool little bar, the main reason to seek out Bramble is the fantastic selection of cocktails on the menu. Always a sucker for pretty presentation, I favour the cocktails that come in a tea cup and saucer, but all of the cocktails on the menu look amazing, and the bar staff go to pains to make sure everything is mixed up correctly. The bar gets pretty busy at the weekends, so get your cocktail orders in early if you're banking on a seat all evening.

Hands down best bar I've been to in Scotland. The service is incredible and the bartenders' expertise and craftsmanship make the experience significantly enjoyable. The dj kept great music going throughout the night. My favorite drink was the bartender recommended (tell them an alcohol and flavor and they'll make you something) celery sour. Great atmosphere, music and drinks-- what more could you ask for?!

A quick google search defines a "bramble" as "a prickly scrambling shrub of the rose family, especially a blackberry," which is quite a curious juxtaposition of beautiful and uncomfortable at the same time. In the USA, we don't use the word "bramble" much, nor are blackberries very popular. Hence my love for the word and this bar: everything here is beautiful, brimming with energy and tasteful - except the hangover the next day. A weed or a boon (you'll never know) Bramble the bar has a creative menu of decently-priced cocktails and a bar staff that are eager to please. The ambiance is stellar and difficult to pin down. This DJ everyone speaks of -- excellent tunes stretching back to the good old days of Public Enemy and old school hip-hop. It's pretty much the perfect place to take a date and forget the rest of the night. Remember the thorns the next day.

This was recommend to us by a bartender at the restaurant Element. It is supposedly a top 30 ranked bar in the world and a hard to find bar. It did take us two times to find it but when we did what a treat. Sit at the bar and ask for Sam Baxter a first class mixologist and very genuine. He took the time to explain the drinks, presentation and even recommended another cool bar called Panda and Sons. Highly recommend this bar for some killer cocktails if ur in Edinburgh. Cheers.

My favourite bar in Edinburgh. No, in fact, I think anywhere! Tucked away underneath a tailors on Queen Street the only thing that gives this bar away is the small brass plaque by the door. I love the speak-easy feel that this bar has. Down the stairs and through the unassuming door leads you to this wonderful little cocktail bar. It is dark and moody inside and there is usually hip hop beats pumping out of the speakers. I cannot rate the staff highly enough here. The guys behind the bar are so polite and attentive. They will always try their best to find you a table. You can't be shy in here either, this place is small. They do have comfy sofas and tables where they can fit them but you just might have to get to know your neighbours! There are also wee hidey-holes adorned with cow skins and furs for a more intimate feel. We find a spot and settle in for the evening. The cocktail menu is quite vast but not too intimidating, if you do have trouble deciding the guys will be more than happy to help. These cocktails have won awards so you know they are going to be good ;). At an average of £7.50 for a cocktail they are not badly priced either for Edinburgh. They do do spirits, beers and wines as well if you're not a cocktail fan. I could go on and on, just trust me this place is AWESOME! Cheers, Amy

It's easy to miss the subterranean space. It came recommended by the bartender at the Savoy in London. Once we walked in, we were greeted quickly, and they found us a table. I'm a craft cocktail person, particularly for whisky based ones: - Secret of the sea: interesting with seaweed and citrus, not too sweet - Spectrum stadium: more tropical Drinks were well balanced and came out pretty quickly. They were also nice about getting us water. Drinks are only £7-8 each. It's a low key vibe with some bar seating and also tables for 4-5 people. Quite a few people seemed to be there for dates. I can see it being crowded on the weekends since it was basically full at 11pm on a Wednesday!

I continue to really really like Bramble. Really, it's the tunes. The tunes are incredible. The drinks are also incredible but these days Edinburgh is not short on great cocktail bars - most of which are larger and easier to find a table. The music here is so great I always wish it was big enough to dance. Another big plus was being able to describe what I like in a drink to a bartender who picked out just the right drink for me. Best part being that the drink is called a San Francisco, which is my roots. They now have wait staff but our experience was mediocre at best on that front as my friend paid with a £20 but was given change for a £10. Come here for the tunes, order from the bartenders and be creative.

This place is legit secret. I heard of another secret bar in town that I visited first but it was so, so obvious and also smelled weird. I continued on down Queen Street to Bramble and was not disappointed. No signage and not much noise from the street. Just a bouncer texting on his phone. *Proper* speakeasy in a basement without much decoration. Totally fun place with amazing drinks and an actual DJ? I want to come here with friends every single weekend. The drinks I tried all came in fun cups and I will definitely want to have the one called "Candy Crush" again.

If you want inventive, delicious cocktails then come to Bramble. My husband and I spend the better part of our visit to Edinburgh scoping out the best cocktail places and this was by far our favorite. The service is friendly and efficient as well. The venue isn't easy to spot - it sits below street level and is pretty nondescript but the interior is cozy and intimate. Definitely recommend.

I quite like this bar. I went once a few years ago and was impressed by the cocktails and the music though it is only recently I have gone there again...so many bars in Edinburgh to choose from! It is small and fairly dark. It actually seems to get darker the longer you're in there. Either they're turning down the lights or my eye sight starts to fail after a while in low lighting. There seems to be lots of nooks and crannies so it's not the easiest to find people, though the darkness might have something to do with that too. The toilets are unisex, which I had pretty much forgotten about since the last time I was in there. When I walked out of the toilet to wash my hands I had that awful feeling I was in the wrong place and then a guy walked in which gave me a fright, though I think he got a bigger fright. Turned out we were both right...phew! The cocktails are great here (and come in cool teacup type glasses) and the music's always cool. Go to this bar if you have good eyesight in low lighting, don't have a fear of small spaces, and are open to sharing bathrooms :D (I think the actual cubicles are labelled with an M and an F so it's not too bad).

This place is f**king awesome, amazing drinks, and fast service. Very attentive and friendly. It's hard to find if you don't know what your looking for (fake grass). If you come to Edinburgh and you want a good cocktail then this is where you need to be. I would recommend this place to anyone in the region, my uncles, my bros, my grandma. So fire!!

Offering delicious cocktails, Bramble is one of my favourite places in Edinburgh if I'm feeling a bit parched. As other reviewers have also mentioned it has a rather "secret" location and it's best kept for those in the know. They have an excellent cocktail menu and a fantastic atmosphere in which to sit for one, or two, maybe even three... One of my favourite cocktails ever is called a Bramble so this place was always going to be a winner for me and the first drink I ordered when I came here was of course, a Bramble which was made to perfection. I do like cocktails with gin in them and my other favourite cocktail from here, which I highly recommend is the Clover Leaf which is a combination of gin, raspberries and lemon, it's ridiculously refreshing. The cocktail list here is amazing and they have some fantastic cocktails that I've never seen on menus elsewhere so a star for creativity. I remember on my last visit seeing a cocktail that had a whole egg in it, I'm not sure how that works. I know they put egg whites in some cocktails but I just have this imagine of a boiled egg just chilling in a glass, which would be really funny. In addition to their creative cocktails they use top notch ingredients and premium spirits unlike some bars that prefer to use their own brand of vodka, yuck. What's more, every cocktail comes in it's own, special glass. I got a Blueberry Soup on my last visit and it came in a teacup and sauce - how cute! One of the best cocktails bars Edinburgh has to offer, definitely worth a visit!

Looking for Sex On The Beach? Don't waste your time Nancy Boy! This is one of the best Cocktail Joints in town, that's for sure. I use it as the turning point in my night out, the mid point in the Tim J Drinker's Guide to Edinburgh - its the final farewell to classy drinking (and its all down hill from there). These guys know their stuff, with a very particular drinks list, the decor and 'uniform' of the staff demonstrate a 100% commitment to providing a quirky-kitsch cocktail Nirvana! They have been recognised throughout the bar trade for being at the top of their game. Tea cups have been trendy for a while, but these guys are no newcomers, so don't knock them for being in amongst it. You wont get a pineapple filled with pina colada, but if you ask them for a straight forward mojito or an old fashioned it will complete you. I, however, prefer to go for something straight from their list, some of which will smack you in the face and make sure you are standing to attention. Tip from the professional drinker, always buy a beer chaser to maintain your rhythm, perfection takes time, and if you drink these the same way you would a straight up spirit and mixer, you will be carried out the back door.... Its a very small snuggle of a place, I prefer to find a ledge to stand at as the couches will eat your sexy ass alive...

In my opinion this is the best cocktail spot in Edinburgh. Full of George St w@ankery on the weekend, however come down mid week and you have more room to breathe. Innovative and creative. Could have beer on tap but then would you really want it when the cocktails are so good? Music patchy but again who cares?

Bramble is perhaps the most famous cocktail bar in Edinburgh. Which is great for it, and can make it a little more difficult to find a seat or even a place to stand when it gets very busy. First time I came here I was taken by my boss (how awesome is he??). I was amazed. A couple months later when a friend from home visted, Bramble was the immediate answer of where to go. I recently went back a couple days ago, and had perhaps my worst experience of the three times. Out of several ingrediants meant I had to go from my first choice, to a second choice, to a third choice. Not impressed. Especially as this was around 8:00 on a Monday... Add to this the drinks are pricey means I will come back to Bramble, but maybe in another month or so. Not ready to make it a regular haunt.

Intimate and cute and one of the best kept secrets in Edinburgh, rightfully to keep out hen nights and other such dont-know-how-to-behave types.. Brilliant, knowledgeable and sexy staff make it one of the best, if not the best cocktail bars in the whole country (and it has awards to back it up).

This place was a fantastic stop for a few strong cocktails. My first was pleasant & smooth, but my second drink (created on whim per my request for smokey) was outstanding. Cool music, great vibe, very nice bartenders.

We were in town for the weekend from NYC and really craving some excellent cocktails. Bramble was the top recommended and it is outstanding. Between three of us we must have tried 6 different cocktails and every single one was better than the last. The staff was very attentive and friendly.

I would love to be able to say that Bramble was everything I have heard it is, and more. Unfortunately, we never got through the front door. While I was en route the friends I was meeting there had to leave as several weren't allowed in. The reason? No groups on a Saturday night. I understand that hen/stag parties may lower the tone, but there's no way the bouncer mistook us for one or the other (the collection of genders should have tipped him off.) I was extremely dissappointed as I'd been looking forward to a visit since I first heard of it. I will probably give it another go in future but may enter with a somewhat biased view....

Superb cocktail makers at this place! Our bartender Claudio was one of the best I've seen across 2 continents. Start with a large, creative menu and then let 'em RIF on your favorites. Incredibly knowledgeable about spirits from single malts to local rums and gins, these guys are superb. We sat at the bar around 7pm and place was just getting full. It's dark, low ceilings and the loud with music I didn't care for....but 5 stars anyway for the world class drink making.

Absolutely love this little hidden gem of a bar! Colin and I came in here last night before going for dinner at Mark Greenaway's, and I was surprised at how much I loved the place. It's a dimly lit, cave-like bar with a few people dotted around the place here and there, with bow-tied staff members eager to make you one of their extravagant cocktails from the extensive menu. The place is not big by any means, but the place was full nonetheless and the range of cocktails I could see was crazy. I sat and watched one of the staff members make a few, with ingredients ranging from a whole raw egg to sprigs of thyme. As well as cocktails, gin seems to be their speciality drink, with, I think I read, over 40 gins on the menu? Crazy! It's clear from the outside that this place doesn't like to rant and rave about themselves. You probably would not know this place was here without knowledge of it (or without being a helluva good yelper!), as the place is barely signposted. I think it should definitely stay that way, it adds to the overall secretive feel of the place. If you're coming here, shhh don't tell anyone!

Visited bramble for the third time yesterday and I got to say it just never disappoints. Great little place down an unassuming set of stairs on Queen Street that you could easily walk by, but please do me a favour, and get your butt down those stairs! It's such a cosy place, never too busy (well when I've been there), with lots of cosy nooks to sit in. Really friendly staff who know their stuff so feel free to ask any questions you might have. I've been trying to get something different every time and am yet to be disappointed by my choice. Perfect place for a date, or just a cosy catch up with friends. The best cocktail bar I've found in Edinburgh so far, can't wait to go back.

I'm reluctantly reviewing this bar. I wanted to keep it a secret. This concealed basement bar, with its low ceiling, intimate alcoves and smooth and debonair decor is something special. It's not all looks and no substance either. Top notch bar staff ensure some delicately crafted cocktails that will have you wondering how such assured concoctions were created. The Pisco Punch is a particularly fine example. Backing this up is some finely selected mellow music, often played by a live DJ (Friday nights). They tend to play mixture of old funk/soul and hip-hop: think Roy Ayers, Common with a slice of MF Doom. Its all top stuff. Plus, unlike many other bars attempting to replicate this excellently poised bar, the prices a justifiable by the quality of the product. Please....don't tell too many people.