Paradise Palms

A self-confessed 'dive bar', Paradise Palms has somehow found a way to rock the whole disco ball/neon sign/giant leafy plant look without falling into garish territory.  

Just a stone's throw from Bristo Square, the bar is a firm favourite amongst Edinburgh University students, yet its location also bodes well for festival-goers and those looking for a decent watering hole within easy stumbling distance of the Old Town's main thoroughfare of bars and clubs.

Food is served up until early evening, and as well as dishing up a tempting selection of vegetarian and vegan soul food, there's also an impressive (and pleasantly affordable) cocktail menu to ponder over. Quite how they manage to make a Buckfast Daiquiri sound appealing is anyone's guess, but hey, this is Scotland after all.

Regular DJ and cabaret nights mean that punters will never be short on entertainment, though with ample seating and plenty of wee nooks and crannies to fill, it also functions perfectly as a place to meet up with pals for a more tame blether.

The bar is much loved by The Skinny readers too, coming up tops for two years running in our annual Food and Drink Survey as one of Scotland's Best Pubs and Bars in both 2017 and 2018.