Find local taprooms, pubs and tasting rooms across Edinburgh
This Edinburgh craft beer guide helps you find the city's best breweries, taprooms and craft beer bars. Start in the city centre, then head out to compact taprooms and characterful pubs in the Old Town. Find places that pour rotating taps, sour and fruit driven beers, and gluten free options. We point you to handy stops for solo tasting, rooftop views, or lively evenings with friends. Use the map and short walking routes to plan Edinburgh beer tours, or build your own trail of favourites and know where to drink in Edinburgh for a quick pint or a long, relaxed session.
Innis & Gunn Brewery Taproom | Lothian Road
Image / Web
Tap into Edinburgh flavour, one bold draught at a time.
Good for
What to expect
Expect an easygoing taproom with brewery character, helpful bartenders and a clear focus on beer. Learn a few brewing tips during guided tasting moments, sample a range of house brews, and choose a cosy corner or a long table for a group. The venue is spacious rather than intimate, so it suits lively catch-ups as well as quieter afternoons. Staff will point to current beers on the pumps and offer tasting pours to help decide.
Plan your visit
Head out from the city centre, allow time to browse the taps, and arrive during the late afternoon for a calmer vibe. Reserve for larger groups, ask staff for tasting suggestions, and pair the visit with a short walk around the neighbourhood afterwards.
Rose Street Brewery
Image / Tripadvisor
Tradition on tap, cosy corners, and friendly faces: Rose Street’s classic Edinburgh pub experience.
Good for
What to expect
Step inside for a warm, convivial atmosphere set against vintage fittings and framed local memorabilia. The main bar hums with conversation and the clink of glasses, while the upstairs dining room offers a quieter space for conversation. Staff are welcoming and ready with recommendations, pavement seating invites street-side people-watching, and the crowd is a natural mix of locals and visitors, creating an authentic Edinburgh pub feel.
Plan your visit
Visit outside peak weekend hours if seeking a quieter table, and consider booking for larger groups to avoid disappointment. Opt for pavement seating to watch the street, or ask for an upstairs table for a more relaxed meal. Dress for comfort, arrive ready to enjoy friendly service, and allow time to soak up the local atmosphere.
The Blue Blazer
Image / CAMRA
A classic Edinburgh pub, full of character, cosy corners, and a warm welcome.
Good for
What to expect
A warm, well-loved interior with snug booths and communal tables, the kind of place that encourages lingering. The bar offers a rotating range of local ales and whiskies, and staff are approachable and knowledgeable. A stack of board games, comfortable seating and an unpretentious atmosphere make it easy to settle in for a relaxed afternoon or an informal tasting. The clientele mixes locals and travellers, so expect friendly conversation and a genuine pub vibe.
Plan your visit
Pop in after exploring the city or make it a destination for a laid-back afternoon. Try to get a window seat to watch the street, or a corner table for board games and conversation. Ask the bar team for recommendations and allow time to soak up the character; the setting suits solo downtime, catch-ups with friends, or casual business conversations.
Fierce Beer
Image / Forever Edinburgh
Bold local brews, warm welcomes and a taproom that invites lingering conversations.
Good for
What to expect
Expect a welcoming taproom with personality, where house and guest beers rotate regularly and staff are happy to help you navigate the list. Tasting flights are a smart way to compare favourites, while music and comfortable seating create a sociable, unhurried vibe. A small outdoor seating area makes an enjoyable option on sunnier days, and regulars mix easily with visitors for a lively, community feel.
Plan your visit
Arrive ready to explore the taps: ask for a recommendation or choose a tasting flight to try several styles. Ideal for relaxing with friends, striking up conversation solo, or meeting colleagues after work. Take advantage of outdoor seating when the weather permits, and leave time to chat with the approachable bar team who know the beers well.
The Hanging Bat
Image / PubQuizzy
Craft beers, quirky décor and easygoing company, all wrapped in cosy Edinburgh charm.
Good for
What to expect
Step inside to find a roomy yet intimate space where rustic stonework and eclectic furnishings set a relaxed, slightly eccentric tone. The focus is on a carefully curated, rotating beer list and inventive cocktails, with staff ready to suggest or adapt drinks to taste. Seating ranges from stools at the bar to cosy tables, creating pockets for quiet conversation or lively catch-ups, and the overall vibe stays laid-back and inviting.
Plan your visit
Drop in for a relaxed pre-dinner drink or an informal night out. Seating suits both solo visitors and small groups, with room to linger or move between areas. Food can be limited at times, so check the menu ahead if snacks are needed. Ask bar staff for recommendations to explore the current beer and cocktail lineup.
Wee Vault Edinburgh - Vault City Haymarket Taproom & Bottleshop
Image / Wee Vault Edinburgh - Vault City Haymarket Taproom & Bottleshop
Tiny taproom, towering flavours: Edinburgh’s intimate sour beer hideaway.
Good for
What to expect
An intimate bar with a focused menu of sour and mixed-fermentation beers, presented as tasting pours and cans to take away. The space is small and sociable, with a handful of stools and close-up seating at the counter, so conversations are easy and the atmosphere feels personal. Staff are knowledgeable and happy to guide sampling, the decor is characterful with playful details, and many visitors treat it as both a tasting room and a boutique bottleshop. Dog-friendly, though space is limited.
Plan your visit
Book ahead if travelling with a group, as seating is limited and the bar fills quickly. Arrive in the afternoon for a gentler pace, or expect a buzzy vibe during peak hours. Allow time to chat with staff about current taps, and consider picking up a can or two from the bottleshop to enjoy later.
Bonnie & Wild
Image /
Rooftop views, three lively levels and a proper Grassmarket welcome for every visit.
Good for
What to expect
Expect a lively, characterful venue spread over three levels, each with its own vibe. The ground floor offers a sociable bar scene, middle seating feels more relaxed, and the rooftop terrace delivers the best castle views, with blankets and heaters on chillier nights. Staff are generally welcoming and helpful, and the venue attracts couples, groups and solo visitors looking for a spirited night out or a casual meal.
Plan your visit
Reserve a rooftop spot if views are a priority, and dress for the weather as it can be breezy up top; the team provide blankets and heaters when needed. Located in the heart of the Grassmarket, it makes a convenient first or final stop while exploring the Old Town. Arrive earlier on busy evenings to secure preferred seating.