The Street

After a few face lifts over the years, this stylish bar at the top of Broughton Street seems to have finally found its identity, with its smart décor, laid-back atmosphere, and a spacious pre-club venue downstairs which can be hired for private parties. The oddly shaped upstairs bar provides the perfect place to relax of an afternoon, and then continue getting happily plastered into the evening, with big floor to ceiling windows ideal for people-watching (and then judging, naturally - we are gay, after all). Unless you're a whore for attention, you may find the goldfish bowl quality unnerving and might prefer to sit in one of the booths towards the back. These are more secluded and more comfortable than the awkward bar stools, but tend to be forgotten by staff, so dirty ashtrays and glasses often sit for a while. That said, the staff are generally friendly and professional, and the Street serves some of the best bloody marys I have had in Edinburgh, making it a shining jewel in Edinburgh's tiara.