Discovering Downstairs At Betty’s: Reviewing Edinburgh’s New Sing-Along Piano And Cocktail bar

If you’re someone who loves karaoke but prefers to stay out of the spotlight, or only finds themselves performing after a few drinks, there’s a new sing-along piano and cocktail bar that’s just opened in the West End that I think you’ll love. As a fan of musicals and singing - usually in the comfort of my own home - I was excited by the idea of a bar where belting out tunes is encouraged. So, one Friday evening after dinner at Contini, we wanted to keep the party going and decided it was time to experience Downstairs at Betty’s, a dream destination for musical theatre lovers that is truly hitting all the right notes.

Fun and retro, the interiors of Downstairs at Betty's reflect the singalong aspect.

DesignMyNight Review of Downstairs At Betty's

Tucked away on picturesque Charlotte Lane, the unassuming exterior gives little away. Upon stepping inside, you’re met with retro mid-century aesthetic, emulating a New York-style speakeasy. The grand piano takes centre stage near the bar, with a bar top and seats surrounding it for those who are really keen to be amongst the action. For those who are happy to sit back and enjoy from a far, there are comfy couches nearby. That means if you want to enjoy the music but not participate, you can sit at the far side and applaud from there.

Of course, we had to sample a few cocktails before we plucked up the courage to join in with the sing-along. Upon first glance at the cocktail menu, I was a bit mystified by the unfamiliar ingredients and minimalist descriptions, leaving a lot to the imagination. You can tell they take their cocktails seriously. After chatting to the mixologist about our preferences, he was able to offer us an insight into the cocktails best suited to us on the menu. He also assured us that they are happy to shake up a classic upon request if they have the ingredients.

From live music making the venue bustling to carefully crafted cocktails, this place ticks a lot of boxes.

To kickstart our evening, I ordered an Across Borders (£12) cocktail, recommended to me by our server, which featured a rich blend of Woven Superblend whisky, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Amaro Montenegro. Served in an elegant martini glass, this small but powerful cocktail delivered the bold bitterness I was looking for. My fiancé, who is a rum cocktail enthusiast, opted for the Nukumori (£12) - a unique muddle of Takamake extra noir rum, Chairman’s white rum, Lucky Tonka, Acid Matcha. Before you ask… yes, we did have to Google the latter two ingredients. Whilst we sipped on our cocktails and lounged on the sofa, we couldn’t help but notice a crowd starting to gather around the piano. It was showtime.

Quietly joining in with the sing-along, trying not to draw too much attention to ourselves, we ordered another couple of cocktails. As I scanned the menu again in search of something familiar, I was delighted to see the mention of Aperol in the Naked, Famous & Regretful (£12) cocktail, alongside Pensador Mezcal and Liqueur de Grandmont (yes, I maybe Google’d those ones too). Not my typical Aperol spritz, but a refreshing change. Sticking with the rum theme, my fiancé couldn’t resist requesting his favourite, a dark and stormy (£12). You can’t go wrong with a classic, and this one went down a treat. As we enjoyed our cocktails, we let go of our inhibitions and requested a couple of songs, confidently joining in on the final ballads before rushing for the last train.

Downstairs At Betty's: Overall

With a motto of "no microphone, no spotlight, no judgement”, Downstairs at Betty’s is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a bar where you can sing to your hearts content. Whether you’re a budding performer or just enjoy a sing-along with friends, the cocktails, the camaraderie and community in this bar makes it the perfect destination on a night out in Edinburgh.

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