Best Cocktails in Leith

Cocktail Bars in Leith

Leith, Edinburgh's historic port district on the Firth of Forth, has transformed from a working waterfront into one of Scotland's most exciting food and drink neighbourhoods. Once the landing point for French wine and Scandinavian spirits, Leith's maritime heritage now informs a new generation of bars and restaurants that celebrate provenance and place. Nauticus, the neighbourhood's standout cocktail destination, embodies this philosophy completely. Named to the World's 50 Best Bars Discovery list, Nauticus sources approximately 90% of its ingredients from Scottish producers — from foraged botanicals and local honey to Scottish-distilled spirits — creating cocktails that taste unmistakably of their surroundings. The bar's waterfront setting and nautical-inspired design nod to Leith's seafaring past while its drinks menu looks firmly forward. Leith's broader dining scene, anchored by Michelin-starred restaurants and independent wine bars along The Shore, makes it a natural destination for an evening that moves from cocktails to dinner and back again. The walk or bus ride from Edinburgh's centre is short but the shift in atmosphere is immediate — Leith trades the tourist bustle for a locals-first energy that rewards those willing to venture beyond the Old Town.