Lucky Liquor Co — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

Quite possibly one of the hidden gems in Edinburgh, this cocktail bar is run with true passion by its team.

The drinks are always well thought out, and I am impressed by the creative use of some non conventional ingredients: the star of the show last night was a doughnut tasting cocktail called Do'hnut (clever Simpsons reference here), a sweet orgeat tasting mix with white rum and other exotic ingredients. Talking about ingredients, syrups and other special ingredients are home or custom made, and you can taste that extra edge.

A few more standouts: the staff is very friendly and it's great to see that they dedicate a bit of their time talking to you about what they are serving; the bar music comes from a record player, which add extra charm to the place. Yesterday they were playing a The Cure album, and something punk-rock afterwards; they sell hotdogs as well, just in case you are hungry. prices are more than fine for mixes and other...

In a cocktail climate where everyone is trying to do everything, Lucky Liquor does more with less.

A deliberately restricted drinks palette is rare in bars, usually it's more practical than purposeful. Here they have what they have, and it's all they need for their regularly-changing 13 drink menu of specials, each of which will be worthy of attention. Whether it's served in a light bulb, with 'disco sherbet' on the rim, or as an intereactive drink experience that you have to get involved with, the result will be potent and unique. Also, having some water on the side really helps.

The staff are hugely knowledgeable and helpful. When asked to mak a drink off-menu I was told that although they didn't have exactly the right ingredients they could subsitute and see what happens. In the end it was a twist on the original but just as pleasing.

It's not cheap, but...

Looks like an American milk bar, but serves hard liquor - a stroke of genius. The Lucky Liquor company trades in damn fine cocktails, a dab hand at devising the classics and with a lengthy menu of their own concoctions, which tend towards the potent, and are updated quarterly. For the moment, the Red Snapper Martini is something of a gin-bloody mary hybrid, pulpy and heady, while the Pearl Harbour is a delicious rye-based twist on the Old Fashioned. Low-hanging lights, tiled surfaces, and fluorescent signage all add to the US diner vibe, which makes Lucky Liquor an almost perversely wholesome place to get panelled. Beer, spirits and wine are all available if you're not after the heavy hitting cocktails. If you've watched Twin Peaks one too many times and lament not being able to get to the Double R Diner, Lucky Liquor is a great spot for your...