Bramble — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

Avoid.

I thought I'd try out Bramble last night for my birthday with a few friends as its been recommended to me on a few occasions. We finished work late in the evening and wanted to have one drink before heading home. We walked in and sat in a little snug area. There was a small coffee type table positioned at the top of a step, the step led down to another sunken seating area. A pretty daft place to position a table as there wasn't much space to squeeze past without nudging the table. We were all sitting round and my friend tried to shuffle past (between my other friend sitting down and the table) he nudged the table with his leg which caused it to tip down the step. (inevitable if you knew the tiny proximity). Not an issue we thought. No drinks on the table etc just a candle holder which fell off. A member of the bar team came over to help us turn the table back upright. Initially I thought we'd get an apology (for the table being in our way and positioned in a daft place,) he'd offer to grab us a couple drinks we'd all have a giggle and move on with our evening. Nope. He pointed to my friend and exclaimed 'he's had too much to drink, you'll all have to leave'. We'd just finished work and had one beer in the office before heading along so drunk we were not. I explained what had happened and initially thought the staff member would laugh and say he was kidding, but he wasn't. I picked up my birthday presents, bags, and we all left. Very embarrassing. I was gobsmacked. How, what, why? It didn't make sense. This did put a dampner on my evening and really upset me, to the point of tears when we made it outside. We were sober, in good spirits and out to celebrate. I've never had such bad service before and can't quite believe I'm even having to write this, we were gobsmacked. I really believe our faces didn't fit. We were casually dressed having came from work and not in keeping with the trendy hipster type dress code. I really can't think of another reason as to why we were treated the way we were. We were polite, quiet and left without fuss. We won't be back and intend on telling others to do the same. Very...

This is my kind of place.

It's small, it's unpretentious from the outside, it doesn't call itself a speakeasy despite the understated exterior and moody interior, it's not packed full of Instagram influencer wannabes, the staff is super, and the drinks are solid.

I did feel a moment of cringe when I saw the giant clear iceblock, having not so great experiences with the obnoxious pretension of similar bars using those, but that hipster-aversion was quickly allayed.

The staff was welcoming and cool. (Cool cool, not cold-shoulderish.) Laid back. I could tell it was the type of vibe I prefer. The space is intimate, and the backbar full. We took a table overlooking the bar and got the full show. Music wasn't too loud or in your face, just melodic ambient beats. And I do appreciate their attention to preventing flash photography as it's a small, dim venue and blinding flash is at best annoying, and at worst harmful.

The cocktails are not showy. And that's fine with me. Not all cocktails need fancy garnishes and glassware to shine. After all, it's about flavour more than gimmicky presentation.

I'm going to be honest that I don't actually remember the first cocktail I ordered as it was a few months back, but at the time I was very impressed by it. I then ordered the Affinity which is a prebatch in a bottle. I always find that a bit like cheating, but I also know people like the novelty of pouting their own drink at their table. I didn't like it as much as the others, but it was still a solidly good drink.

So between smooth, well-balanced and crafted drinks, the chill ambience, and the lovely staff, it was definitely a 5-star sort...

Tucked away in a subterranean hideaway in Edinburgh, Bramble is a true sanctuary for cocktail lovers and a masterful example of a modern-day speakeasy. This isn't just a place to grab a drink; it's an experience in craftsmanship and atmosphere.

The moment you find the entrance and descend the stairs, you're transported to an intimate, dimly lit space that feels both cozy and sophisticated. The buzz is quiet, allowing for genuine conversation, and the decor is understated yet incredibly cool. It’s the perfect spot for a date night, a catch-up with a close friend, or a quiet solo drink.

The real star of the show is, of course, the drinks. The bartenders here are artists. The menu is a fantastic blend of original, inventive concoctions and perfectly executed classics. I highly recommend trying their namesake, the Bramble, which is a beautifully balanced and refreshing masterpiece. Every drink is made with meticulous care, fresh ingredients, and a clear passion for the craft.

The service is exceptional. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable without being pretentious and are always happy to offer recommendations or talk you through the complexities of a cocktail.

In a city with no shortage of great bars, Bramble stands out as a genuine hidden gem. It’s a place where quality, atmosphere, and a perfect drink all come together seamlessly. It’s an essential stop for anyone who appreciates a world-class...