Bramble
16A Queen Street, Edinburgh
What is it: This multi-award-winning bar will become a decade old this year. Opening in 2006, it quickly established itself as one the most creative and innovative bars in Scotland. Some 10 years ago, gin was only on the cusp of popularity but nowhere near the dizzy heights it has reached today. The owners loved the category so decided Scotland was ready for a gin-focused bar combined with a team of the finest bartenders in the country.
The venue: The bar itself is tucked away underneath a tailor's shop on Queen Street and is deliberately hard to find. Inside is a small, intimate and moody space full of nooks and crannies to sit back and enjoy the effortlessly cool atmosphere. This year, for its birthday, Bramble will bring together their bartenders from over the years, each of whom has gone on to great success all over the world in their own right, to celebrate.
Interesting fact: The name for the bar comes from a drink created by one of the world's most famous bartenders. Dick Bradsell is an icon of the bar industry who sadly passed away last year and is credited with kick-starting the London cocktails scene in the late 1980s and 1990s by creating such classics as the Russian Spring Punch, the Espresso Martini, the Treacle and of course his most famous creation, the Bramble, made with gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and crème de mûre.
Verdict: I've known both the owners for about 15 years and nothing makes me prouder than what they have achieved here. The downfall to any venue is when owners start with good intentions, high standards, great service and then take their eye off the ball; they become content with the success and don't strive for better. Bramble has stuck to what it knows: great drinks with great service with a big helping of old-school hip-hop. I admit that it's not for everyone but then again, where is? The fact that Bramble this year and consistently over the years has made it into the World's Top 50 Bars according to Drinks International magazine, and is the only Scottish bar ever to have been listed, is testament to their hard work.
Drink: The team at Bramble have high standards. The way they select the drinks and brands for you to enjoy is unique, the team there carry out a “blind” tasting of different brands and select what will be used in the bar purely on the flavour. The drinks list changes throughout the year with the bartenders in constant development to keep them on top of their game. I couldn't have a visit without having a Bramble in homage to the late Dick Bradsell
Food: It's all about the drinks here so make sure and fuel up before a visit.
Prices: They do what they do and they do it well; the prices compared to some other “cocktail” bars are the best value for money you can get.
Children: Sorry kids, but I don't think you would appreciate it here.
Alfresco: I don't think you could class the wee area down the first flight of stairs to the bar as “alfresco” but it's definitely one of the coolest smoking areas to hang out in the capital.
Perfect for: I love sending friends here that think they know about cocktails. Most people think cocktail bars are shiny pretentious places; Bramble is definitely not that.
Avoid if: You prefer a pint of lager in one of the many chain venues popping up around Edinburgh’s New Town.
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