Our Top Edinburgh Pubs and Bars
The best bars near Calton Hill, Edinburgh
We’ve already looked at the best restaurants near our hotel location, so today we’re taking a look at our favourite places to enjoy drinks and bar food. Here’s our guide to the best pubs and bars near Calton Hill, Edinburgh. All these venues are located less than 15 minutes’ walk from your base at Parliament House Hotel.
The Newsroom, 5-11 Leith Street
2-5 minute walk
Just around the corner from our hotel, on Leith Street, The Newsroom is a modern and lively bar and eatery. Offering everything from quick bites to gastro meals. Great for cocktails too!
Cask Smugglers, Waverley Mall Rooftop
2 – 5 minute walk
Only a short walk away, Cask Smugglers is a speakeasy-inspired bar, offering whisky and cocktails with a retro theme. If you’re hungry, the large vintage bar has a great pizza menu from Pizza Geeks.
The Guildford Arms, 1 West Register Street
5-10 minute walk
This opulent Victorian pub, with its high ornate ceilings, dark wood panelling and iconic revolving doors, is one of our favourite Edinburgh bars. Specialising in quality real ales from up to 8 different breweries at a time. The Guildford Arms also serves lunch and dinner in its Gallery Restaurant.
Cafe Royal, 19 West Register Street
5-10 minute walk
Just beside The Guildford Arms, Cafe Royal is another Victorian bar with a similarly luxurious style, but more light and lofty. Featuring beautiful tiling and stained glass windows. With a great selection of beers and ales on offer, and a fresh and seasonal seafood menu and oyster bar.
The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street
5 – 10 minute walk
The Voodoo Rooms is an amazing bar and entertainment venue featuring intricate woodwork and plasterwork. It has an extensive cocktail menu and a wide selection of speciality rums and tequilas. Food is served in the bar and dining room.
Brewhemia, 1a Market Street
5 – 10 minute walk
Brewhemia is a huge Bohemian beer house, bringing together an eclectic mix of influences. You’ll find bespoke cocktails, whisky and gin tastings and a selection of premium beers, fresh from traditional Czech beer tanks. Plus a great dining menu including afternoon teas and Sunday roasts.
The Devil’s Advocate, 9 Advocate’s Close
10-15 minute walk
An atmospheric bar and restaurant, located in an old Victorian pump house on a narrow Edinburgh close. You might miss The Devil’s Advocate, if you don’t know it’s there, but inside you’ll find a large, welcoming space and a design in-keeping with its industrial origins. It has a collection of over 300 whiskies and also a fantastic cocktail menu. Dining is available in the mezzanine area.
The Mitre, 131-133 High Street
10 – 15 minute walk
The Mitre is a traditional Scottish pub on the Royal Mile, known for its range of fine real ales. It also offers great pub food. But it is perhaps most famous for its ghost, The Bishop of St Andrews, who is said on occasion to mess about with juke box, skipping or switching off songs.
The Bow Bar, 80 West Bow
10 – 15 minute walk
This traditional wood panelled pub near Edinburgh Castle stocks over 300 whiskies from around the world, along with a good range of real ales. The friendly and knowledgeable Bow Bar staff will be able to pick out the perfect whisky for you. Bar food and snacks are available here too.
Enjoy visiting some of these pubs and bars during your stay at Parliament House Hotel. From delicious cocktails to fine whiskies and quality beers, you’ll be spoilt for choice. And if you need any further dining suggestions, please don’t hesitate to ask our friendly team
