The Waverley

Ship-shape shabby bar with bags of character
Talk of the town: As the bar is named after a famous Scottish paddle steamer, the Waverley's curmudgeonly patron is often referred to as 'The Captain'. Never to his face though.

Word to the wise: Without warning, the owner will sometimes close early or not open at all so take the opening hours with a pinch of salt.
Achieving with age what so many style bars try to recreate over night, the Waverley is a distressed but well-loved bohemian hangout where locals, unfazed by Edinburgh’s artistic flamboyancy, cast a no more than a fleeting glance at the art student dressed like Ziggy Stardust in the corner.

Old festival posters fall off the walls whilst a soundtrack of blues, motown or good ol’ rock and roll get toes tapping and tongues wagging. Just don’t ask for anything fancy to drink - a slice of lemon in your gin is as close to a cocktail as you’re going to get.