Edinburgh is well known for its old town, Gothic-style architecture, and winding cobblestone streets. To the north lies the cultured and authentic port district of Leith. Leith is home to a plethora of hidden gems, with various spirited bars and trendy shops spread out over the shore. 

Here are the four best bars in Leith, Edinburgh. 

Leith Taproom 

Are you looking to book a venue for your next event? A birthday? A work night out? This spacious Taproom bar offers group bookings, with spaces suitable for up to 40 people! 

Innis & Gunn’s stunning venue boasts 16 rotating taps filled with their famous craft beers range alongside the best that local & international craft brewers have to offer. 

Some of the more popular Innis & Gunn craft beers that you can expect to find here include:

• The Irish Whiskey Cask – a smooth Scottish stout, matured in Irish Whiskey casks offering a full malt character with a beautifully balanced bitterness on the palate that gives way to a chocolatey finish. 
• The Gunpowder IPA – an explosion of tropical aromas. With strong hints of orange, grapefruit, and pine, this fully loaded, hoppy IPA is guaranteed to satisfy your tastebuds. 

If it’s possible that you or someone in your group is not in the mood for beer, this Taproom offers a wide choice of different alcoholic options to suit your every need. Choose from a great selection of spirits, cocktails, and wines, so they’ll have you covered no matter the occasion. 

We must remember the food. Leith Taproom has just launched a new awesome brunch and lunch menu. Choose from a full Scottish breakfast (vegan options available) or loaded waffles for brunch. For lunch, grab a loaded burger or choose from a range of club sandwiches.

If this wasn’t enough to entice you, the beer garden is situated in one of the most beautiful locations in the whole of Edinburgh and offers stunning views over The Shore. 

Three Marys 

This cocktail bar serves locally-themed cocktails, independent local beers, and a range of French wines. This quaint cocktail bar is based a short walk from The Shore and offers live music nights, hosting local bands and musicians. 

Their cocktails of the week have included the Mic-Choc Julep, the Cherry Whiskey Apple Sour, Rhubarb & Apple Sling, and the Mediterranean Punch.

This is a fine choice for those who love their cocktails or those looking for a romantic evening in Edinburgh’s romantic port district with their special others. 

Smoke & Mirrors 

This mystical cocktail bar is a 10-minute walk from The Shore and boasts a wide range of cocktails. From the red-hot Roxanne to the Water of Leith, their cocktails are guaranteed to taste great. 

This place is special because they regularly host tarot card readings with their resident fortune teller, Jillian Duncan. Get involved to gain more insight into your past, present or future! 

This bar is a must-see if you’re in the area and appreciate the spiritual side of things. Just make sure you play your cards right!

Bittersweet Leith 

This unique concept restaurant brings the culture of Italian aperitivo to the capital of Scotland with a range of great-tasting food and drinks from Italy. Brought to you by two Italian brothers, this bar specialises in cocktails, with a varied menu including mixology from the Old Poison Distillery, which Fabrizio, one of the brothers, owns.

Bittersweet’s quintessentially Italian food menu boasts a wide range of classic Italian cuisine, from handmade tortellini and potato gnocchi to sharing boards and montanara from Napoli. Buono!

Toast 

Boasting the title of Edinburgh’s first wine cafe, Toast is open seven days from early until late and offers, if you haven’t already guessed, a “carefully curated, predominantly, biodynamic, organic & natural” wine selection. In a former art gallery, Toast is a unique location around The Shore. Perfect for you romantic types out there.

The venue serves a delicious variety of food throughout the day, offering breakfast and brunch meals such as shakshuka, huevos rancheros, nutritious homemade soups, sourdough sandwiches and avocado toast with poached eggs. Later in the day, they offer smaller Mediterranean-style dishes which fit perfectly with a lovely glass of wine. Don’t worry! They’ve got you covered. 

Conclusion

With plenty to choose from, our traveller’s guide to the best bars in Leith will have you exploring all the best spots in the area. 

Be sure to check them out, and why not make a bar crawl out of it?