There's no denying that winter is well and truly on its way. And whatever you get up to - whether it's exploring the festive markets or enjoying a chilly, scenic ramble - you'll no doubt need to take shelter at some point to warm yourself through.
After tackling the biting winds that whistle through the city's cobbled streets, defrost at one of these cosy pubs and bars in Edinburgh, featuring roaring fires, winter warmer food and plenty of whisky.
Last edited by Kiera Chapman
Last updated on 25th November 2024
Located in the heart of New Town, St Vincent Bar is a welcoming, vibrant pub offering everything you need for a memorable night out. Whether you're after a refreshing pint, a signature cocktail, or a glass of wine, this bar has a wide selection of drinks to suit every palate.
The stylish, cosy décor and friendly atmosphere make it the ideal place to relax with friends or enjoy a casual night out.
When it comes to cosy bars in Edinburgh Old Town, The Devil's Advocate is not to be missed. Found down one of the city's many winding alleys, just off the Royale Mile, this former pump house is perfect for cosy date nights digging into authentic Scottish cuisine and an impressive 300 varieties of whisky, as well as a cocktail menu that's earned it a spot on the world's most influential bars list.
While surrounded by roughed-up bare-brick walls and intimate booths lit up by candles, dig into gorgeous plates like honey cider pork chops with vegetables, brown butter carrot puree, crispy kale and jus, washing it down with a signature cocktail from one of the award-winning bartenders – our favourite is the Under The Hat, a sour, citrussy mix of marmalade Bulleit Rye, Cynar, lemon, egg whites and bitters.
Famed as one of the smallest bars in Scotland, with more taps than seats, this cosy little bolthole from Vault City Brewing is ideal for a spot of winter imbibing. Head to Wee Vault in the heart of Haymarket and get to know the extensive lineup of tipples that has made this such a beer lover's paradise – although we highly recommend booking in advance to secure one of the coveted seats.
Boasting 24 taps, this hidden gem showcases an ever-changing range of guest and rare sips, from beers and meads to wine and ciders – plus you can even peruse their bottle shop for a little treat to take home with you.
A traditional Scottish boozer located on the Royal Mile, The Mitre has a reputation as one of the city's most warm and welcoming places to drink. As with most Edinburgh boozers, it has an interesting history – according to local legend, the Bishop of St Andrews' throne is buried underneath it.
This quiet pub in Edinburgh offers classic interiors that'll make you feel right at home, including tall ceilings, an ornate wooden bar and warm lighting. As for drinks, you'll find an extensive lineup of cask ales, spirits and beers, not to mention classic haggis neeps and tatties, stovies and steaming hot pies with mash.
Equal parts snug and stylish, Nightcap has long been one of the most cosy bars in Edinburgh New Town. It's hidden away on York Place, featuring just a handful of seats, quirky knick-knacks and low lighting. As for drinks? Think a cocktail menu inspired by worldly adventures, as well as craft beers and specially selected French wine.
Though it's ideal for a romantic evening with your other half, it's also perfect for a night out with friends, thanks to its late 3am license and top-notch soundtrack.
You'll be hard-pressed to find a more cosy, traditional pub in Edinburgh than The Conan Doyle, a local New Town boozer that's drenched in history.
Named after Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of Sherlock Holmes who was born nearby, this place showcases its literary connection with shelves heaving with vintage, well-thumbed books, which only accentuates the décor's traditional charm – think sturdy wooden tables illuminated by candlelight, as well as delicate, patterned wallpaper adorned with gilded portraits.
We highly recommend enjoying a frosty trundle up Calton Hill before heading back here to warm through with a scrumptious Sunday roast or freshly prepared pie, washed down with a fantastic range of whisky, ale or red wine.
Dating back to 1904, The Kenilworth is an old fashioned boozer, featuring the leather booths and ornate wooden detailing that you'll find across most Nicholson's pubs. These lovely, traditional attributes have made it one of the most cosy pubs in Edinburgh city centre, filled with thirsty punters all warming themselves with a dram throughout winter.
And though the lineup of whisky, cask ale and beer will lure you in, don't sleep on the lip-smacking menu of classic pub grub; from their famous pies and stovies to juicy burgers, fish and chips, and schnitzel, there's plenty to sink your teeth into.
When there's a chill in the air, there's no better place than The Bon Vivant in the New Town. With a name that means a person with refined taste, it comes as no surprise that this drinking den tucked away on Thistle Street offers a warm, inviting space with a hint of French sophistication.
Vintage-style tables topped with repurposed Champagne bottles-turned-candlesticks, eye-catching art along the walls and stark wooden beams make up the interiors, plus the food menu focuses on premium, local produce. Chow down on pea and mint risotto or slow-roasted lamb shoulder with tabbouleh (or gorgeous roasts come Sunday) – pairing your feast with a tipple from their extensive drinks list.
Whether you're in the mood for white, orange, rose, red or Champagne, there'll be something on their wine list to suit you. Plus, if you fancy a little post-meal tipple, there are also cocktails, beers, ciders, dessert wines and whisky.
The Southsider is an old Edinburgh pub that's ideal for getting cosy in tartan booths, huddled in a corner nook or in front of sports on the screen. Make your way to the West Richmond Street boozer for a classic pub aesthetic and some delicious food, including chicken tikka masala, fish and chips, and lasagne.
You won't be going thirsty here either, thanks to pints of beer filled to the brim, classic cocktails, wine and bubbly.
Though famed as the city's oldest cocktail bar, Dragonfly has been lovingly looked after, now flaunting glistening chandeliers, tall ceilings and an ornate wooden bar. Swing by one of the most cosy bars in Edinburgh for couples to guzzle bespoke cocktails, such as the Kentucky Slipper, made with Buffalo Trace bourbon, Sazerac Rye, lapsang souchong tea and peach.
Cocktails not for you? Then you'll be happy to hear there are plenty of beers on draught too, from Tennents and Heverlee to Guinness, as well as wines from across the globe.
After cosy drinking and dining destinations? Porty Vault is a great shout for catch-ups and casual first dates during the colder months, thanks to its bare-brick walls and slick leather seating.
Located on Portobello High Street, this trendy locale is both a taproom and smokehouse, serving up modern sour beer (as well as cocktails and wine) alongside American-style BBQ bites, like saucy ribs, fiery wings and smoked vegan sausages.
For a cosy day snuggling up next to a fireplace with a dram of whisky to hand, it has to be Hector's. You'll find this Stockbridge hangout on Deanhaugh Street showcasing traditional interiors with a contemporary facelift, from the comfortable sofas you'll want to sink into to the warm lighting that bounces off the original stone walls, creating an inviting atmosphere on a winter's day.
This joint is also renowned for slinging out one of the best Sunday roasts in town, so pull up a chair and dig into sirloin of beef, succulent chicken or a flavoursome nut roast, complete with potatoes, vegetables and gravy.
On the hunt for cosy pubs in Edinburgh? BrewDog on Lothian Road will be calling your name on chilly winter days. Shed your winter jacket and soak up the warming atmosphere, made all the more inviting by red written signs on the walls and comfortable banquette seating.
As they boast over 20 fresh craft beers, you'll certainly be spoilt for choice, with options such as Hazy Jane and Punk IPA on draught. If you've worked up an appetite, fear not, as there's a mouthwatering menu of burgers, wings and loaded fries on the menu, with plenty of vegan options too.
After cosy pubs in Edinburgh Old Town? The Haymarket is as homely as they get, sporting a curved wood-panelled bar, checkered floors and more cask ale pumps than you can shake a stick at.
Head over on a cold winter's day to warm up, devouring their menu of comforting British staples, which includes pies, roast dinners and sausages with mash. But it's not just about the food here – you'll be more than impressed by the array of cask ales, beers, gins and whiskies too.
You can't deny that Lady Libertine is one of the most cosy bars in Edinburgh city centre. The Wine Cafe on the ground floor exudes a sophisticated 1920s energy with its green marble-topped bar, dramatic windows and atmospheric table lamps, while the basement bar is dimly lit with checkered floors and tasselled lampshades.
Having made its way onto the UK's Top Cocktail Bars list, the bar shakes up both classic and signature cocktails (such as the Silk Road made with Tanqueray gin, rhubarb and orange and tonka cordial), alongside beers, ciders and, of course, an impressive shelf of European wine.
Fancy a bite to eat while you're here? Dig into internationally inspired dishes, from roasted cauliflower with citrus hummus to pan-fried salmon with mujaddara.
Renowned for their molecular cocktails and unconventional food menus, The Alchemist is a far cry from your average bar – and lucky for us, we have an outpost on the fourth floor of the St James Quarter so we can get in on the fun.
Here you'll find moody interiors, from the dark wooden floorboards to the intimate lighting, making it as cosy as be. Nab a chair with mates or dates and knock back magical cocktails, like the Colour Changing One, which literally changes colour before your eyes. Food-wise, think breakfast classics with a twist, as well as lunches or dinners filled with bao buns, katsu curry and chicken in a basket.
Found in Bruntsfield, overlooking the local park, Black Ivy is a pretty bar and restaurant that's sure to keep you warm and cosy throughout winter – and not just thanks to its roaring centrepiece fireplace. Made up of teal leather booths, elegant chandeliers and hanging wisteria, this place is a real treat for the eyes, plus it offers a lip-smacking menu of elevated pub grub.
Get stuck into steak pie with homemade gravy, a Moving Mountains burger or one of the gorgeous Sunday roasts, pairing your delicious meal with a crisp pint of their Tank Beer. More of a cocktail lover? You'll find a range of signature and bespoke mixes on the menu, including four different types of margarita.
If you're after cosy bars in Edinburgh Old Town, Finnegan's Wake is an iconic Irish boozer on Victoria Street, boasting vintage photographs along the walls and fairy lights illuminating the intimate stage. Head here for a cosy pint, a glass of red or a fun cocktail and enjoy the nightly live music sets.
For traditional charm and rustic interiors, head to The Hanging Bat on Lothian Road. Expect wooden floors, picnic-style tables and a friendly atmosphere, with multiple great beers on offer from their bat-shaped taps.
They boast six casks, 14 keg lines and more than 120 bottles and cans, as well as plenty of wines and spirits. Hungry? They also offer tasty hotdogs, burgers and much more.
Having stood firmly on the Royal Mile since 1806, Deacon Brodies Tavern is a charming, historic pub to huddle up with a dram or a cask ale on a cold, blustery day. You'll find traditional interiors here, like no-frills wooden tables lined with burgundy leather-backed booths, overlooked by vintage artwork, retro chandeliers and dramatically ornate ceilings.
To pair with your tipple, make sure to order from their mouthwatering selection of traditional pies; whether you fancy British steak and pale ale pie or one filled with puy lentils and vegetables, you'll also be treated to a hefty serving of clotted cream mash, roasted vegetables and indulgent gravy.
Bramble Bar is the ideal setting for a romantic date night. Hidden beneath a dry cleaner, this secret cocktail lounge can be found down a narrow staircase. Once inside, you'll uncover slick, low-lit interiors and an impressive selection of spirits that the fantastic bartenders conjure into unique cocktails, the likes of which won it a place in the Top 50 Cocktail Bars in the UK.
One of our favourite cocktails has to be the Triple Corn, a heady blend of pisco, corn whisky, corn liqueur, sweetcorn, coriander and lime. Grab one of these and ease into the weekend as live DJs take to the decks.
Searching for pubs with open fires in Edinburgh? Say hello to The Last Word Saloon - the ultra-cosy Stockbridge spot that comes decked out with twinkling candles, faux fur throws and vintage knick-knacks.
Enjoy the ultra-relaxed vibe while delving into the unique cocktail menu, where sips such as the By The Fire (made with Whisky Row Smoke & Peat, tonka, maple, rhubarb amaro and chocolate) as sure to warm you through.
As one of the most cosy pubs in Edinburgh with a view of the castle, Cold Town House in Grassmarket is the perfect place to snuggle up with a craft beer from their own microbrewery, including a range of exclusive and experimental creations, plus Scottish craft beers and cracking cocktails.
In the mood for some food? Stone-baked, Neapolitan pizzas are on the menu, with toppings such as spianata salami and Tuscan fennel sausage, as well as burgers, hot dogs, and nibbles. Entertainment is on the agenda too, so don't miss out on the live music or quiz nights while you're here.
Dating back to the 17th century, The Last Drop has a lot of history to it. Its Grassmarket location was once the site of public executions, and this venue is where prisoners were taken to have one last drink - hence the name.
You'll find a more cheery atmosphere in here today, with range of local ales, craft beers and fine wines on offer, alongside plenty of single malt scotches. Topping it all off, a scrumptious menu of burgers, steaks, pies and other classic pub grub.
With a kitchen run by two Michelin-starred chefs, The Scran & Scallie in Stockbridge is a gastropub showcasing a seriously scrumptious menu – think cod with homemade gnocchi, pumpkin and sage, as well as a Highland wagyu beef burger with chips.
It's also one of the most cosy pubs in Edinburgh for couples, with Scandi-inspired interiors, a log-burning fire, exposed brickwork and snuggle-worthy throws. Grab a glass (or bottle) from the carefully selected global wine list and relax.
