Bow Bar — Whisky Bar in Edinburgh

Bow Bar is a specialty whisky bar on West Bow in Edinburgh, just off the Royal Mile. It's part of the city’s long-standing pub scene with a focus on rare bottlings. The bar is best known for its Peated Highland, aged nine years and finished in an Oloroso Octave, available only here. People come through late afternoon to unwind or stay until closing, using it as a social spot during Edinburgh’s busy evenings.

Bow Bar opened in 1987 as a traditional pub but became a dedicated whisky bar with a focus on limited-edition bottlings. The building keeps its original feel with wooden beams and antique decor, showing decades of local use. Lights stay bright all night, unlike most pubs, and no music plays, so tasting and conversation aren’t distracted. This design helps you focus on each dram while keeping the atmosphere lively for socialising or quiet appreciation of craft whisky.

You can find Bow Bar Edinburgh’s Peated Highland, aged nine years and finished in an Oloroso Octave, available only here. The space has no music to keep sensory focus on tasting each dram clearly. Whether you’re meeting friends after work or planning a date night with someone who appreciates craftsmanship, Bow Bar offers intimate yet lively surroundings for solo visits or group gatherings.