56 North

Part student haunt, part yuppie paradise, 56 North lies metres from George Square at the heart of Edinburgh University. When the sun is shining (it does happen in Edinburgh) you can expect the tables on the patio to be packed. And when the sun goes down and the music gets turned up, then the cocktails can really start to flow.

Although the menu consists of rather traditional dishes, most of them have a fresh little twist. Fish and chips are served in Leffe Blonde beer batter, and ‘the sexiest salad this far north’ lives up to its name.

Between 5pm and 9pm you should take advantage of the 2 for 1 on cocktails. And if your classy gin simply must be Irish or Swedish, then this specialist stockist—with more than 30 varieties on offer—allows you to look no further.

Baldvin Bergsson 56 North 2-8 West Crosscauseway Bar & pub food £10-20