The Bow Bar
About
The Bow Bar on Victoria Street is widely regarded as one of the finest pubs in Scotland, and it earns that reputation through sheer quality rather than gimmicks. It's a single, narrow room with a wooden gantry displaying an extraordinary selection of single malt whiskies (over 300 at last count), eight hand-pull real ales that are kept in impeccable condition, and absolutely no television, music, or nonsense. This is a proper drinking pub. The conversation is the entertainment, the whisky selection is the menu, and the atmosphere on a busy evening — regulars mixing with visitors, all drawn by the quality of the drink — is everything a great pub should be. The staff are knowledgeable without being pretentious and will happily guide you through the whiskies if you're not sure where to start. Victoria Street itself is one of Edinburgh's most photogenic — a curving, colourful street of independent shops that's said to have inspired Diagon Alley. The Bow Bar sits about halfway up and is easy to miss if you're not looking for it. That's part of its charm.
0131 226 7667
Tickets & Pricing
Pints from around £5. Whisky drams from £4-£30+.
Opening Times
Mon-Sat 12:00-00:00, Sun 12:30-23:00.
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