The Skinny's Guide to Edinburgh's Distilleries and Breweries
For a small city, Edinburgh has an impressive bounty of great breweries and distilleries, with many of them selling their wares onsite or nearby. Here's where to head if you wanna try the city's great drinks at their source
Bellfield Brewery
46 Stanley Pl
Tucked away in a residential corner of Abbeyhill, you'll find this ace beer garden and taproom. The beers brewed on-site are first-rate, and there’s a rotating roster of pop-up food vendors to keep you well fed.
Edinburgh Gin
Arch 16, The Arches, E Market St
A great stop for those who love an interactive distillery tour. Watch the experts at work and sample delicious gins made using botanicals that create flavours inspired by Edinburgh's history and character.
Holyrood Distillery
19 St Leonard's Ln
Nestled in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, you'll find this innovative urban distillery producing top-notch whisky, gin and rum. They say their methods prioritise flavour. Decide for yourself on a tasting tour!
Lost in Leith
82 Commercial St
Lost in Leith is both a great pub and a fermentaria. Chief among the many things it has going for it is its array of weird and wonderful beers from the Campervan Brewery. Great for sitting outside on warm days.
Moonwake Taproom
6A Tower St
Another Leith fave, Moonwake features freshly-brewed craft beers; it's got a beer garden; it has mezzanine seating overlooking the brewing equipment; the atmosphere is bloody delightful. What's not to love?
Newbarns
13 Jane St
Newbarns feels like someone decided to build the perfect local pub in the middle of an industrial estate in Leith. It's got a great atmosphere and lovely ales, lagers and stouts that were brewed next door.
Port of Leith Distillery
11 Whisky Quay
Fancy delicious drinks paired with panoramic views across the Firth of Forth? Then head to this gorgeous bar above a nine-story vertical distillery, which offers a sharp cocktail list and delicious small plates.
The Royal Dick
1 Summerhall
There are two great drinks companies within arts venue Summerhall: Pickering's Gin and Barney's Beer. Both provide stock to The Royal Dick pub, Summerhall’s central hub and the place to be during the Fringe.
Vessel
73 Hanover St
Pilot has been brewing great beer down in Leith for over a decade now, and recently opened this swell New Town bar for you to enjoy it in. Alongside their own beverages, the bar serves local spirits and wines.
Wee Vault
7A W Maitland St
From the Vault City crew, this taproom and bottle shop near Haymarket is heaven for craft beer lovers. As the name suggests, it’s small, but with two dozen beers on tap at any one time, the choice is ample.