Best Secret Bars in Edinburgh

From the wonderfully bizarre to the uniquely quirky, a secret bar is always an enjoyable novelty in any city. Some serve flaming cocktails, others are secret speakeasies. Then there are the places that are only found by those ready to delve into the nooks and crannies of Scotland’s capital. Join CrossCountry as we explore the best secret bars in Edinburgh.

Never Really Here

Never Really Here can be found down Rose Street, behind a shabby, graffitied door with a menacing lion knocker. The location is perhaps one of the most well-concealed bars we've ever seen, even going as far as to put rusted metal grates on the window for a real abandoned effect. Inside, the influence of old New York speakeasies can definitely be felt through the personalness of the staff, who are happy to mix you up any cocktail you desire, and the low-lighting and intimate feeling of the space.

Never Really Here is a thirteen minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley that will take you along the iconic Princes Street and past the National Galleries of Scotland. It's an ideal destination to visit after you've appreciated everything the city has to offer in the daytime.

Panda & Sons

Panda & Sons is a fabulous venue for enjoying a few drinks without the overly raucous atmosphere. Truly unique and cautiously tucked away, it’s very easy to miss this bar. The exterior is reminiscent of a barbershop straight out of 1920s Chicago and if you manage to spot it, head down the steps to a bookcase that doubles as a secret entranceway.

Pull on the correct book to gain entrance; the bar is well worth the treasure-hunting effort. Their Transcend cocktail menu is one to remember, pushing the boundaries of flavour using cutting-edge techniques like rotary evaporation and sous vide infusion.

The Wee Pub

Open seven days a week, The Wee Pub – as its name fittingly suggests – is Scotland’s smallest bar. While small in size, it is certainly ‘huge on atmosphere’. As one of the finest secret bars in Edinburgh, the hardest part about enjoying a night out here is finding it due to its minuscule size.

Take a roaring fireplace, and high tables accompanied by perch seats and throw in a drinks menu presented on a postcard that comes with a much-needed magnifying glass and you have one fantastically absurd venue. If it’s local Scottish fare you’re searching for, try the impressive selection of home produce on offer here, including a fine choice of whisky and gins.

Under The Stairs

Under The Stairs is a basement restaurant and cocktail bar with an emphasis on supporting local businesses and suppliers. Their drinks menu is bursting with vivacious flavours, from fermented chilli to honey to grapefruit. The food is equally colourful and imaginative, with options for taster plates or more substantial dishes. The food is seasonal so a visit here always has an element of surprise to it.

Under The Stairs is an eleven minute walk from Edinburgh Waverly. Keep a look out for the sign below eye level, this one's easy to miss!

The Voodoo Rooms

A popular hang-out spot in Edinburgh, The Voodoo Rooms is definitely a curious place to grab a drink. It’s the perfect venue to sit and chat with friends or have a quiet drink with a partner, as there is plenty of seating to chill out on. Enjoy crushed ice drowned in the beverage of your choice, while unwinding in cinema-esque seating amongst retro décor.

You won’t find anything as obvious as a Strawberry Daiquiri or Margarita on the cocktail menu. Instead prepare yourself for alcoholic ice creams, tequila slushies and craft beers not to be found anywhere else in the city.

Paradise Palms

Paradise Palms has a pleasant exotic feel, with a great atmosphere and quirky furnishings. The cocktail glasses are adorned with brightly coloured flowers, fruit and little cocktail umbrellas, taking you back to the disco drinks of the 1970s. The venue doubles as a vegetarian and vegan restaurant, featuring delights like Philly Cheesesteak Fries and Oyster Mushroom Burgers.

Set in the centre of Edinburgh, it has earned its reputation as one of the city’s best off-beat bars. Complete with a wacky offering of pinball machines, dance-off competitions, bingo games, comedy performances and cabaret shows.

How to get to Edinburgh by train

Travelling to Edinburgh Waverley from all over the UK is easy with CrossCountry. We run services from elsewhere in Scotland, like Glasgow Central, Aberdeen, and Dundee. Plus, there are plenty of regular trains from England and Wales too, including from Newcastle, Birmingham New Street, and Peterborough. 

There are plenty of lovely hotels, hostels, and B&Bs in Edinburgh, ideal for making a weekend of your visit. For those looking for luxury, place a booking at The Scotsman, a chandelier-adorned bucket list stay for many people. There are plenty of budget options around the city too, from Premier Inn on Princes Street to St Christopher's Inn hostel in the old town. 

If you’re planning to hit the town in Edinburgh, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.