Edinburgh has quietly become one of Britain’s best cities for gin. Within a short walk or tram ride you can tour a working distillery, bottle your own bottle, blend a bespoke recipe from scratch, or simply settle into a bar with hundreds of gins on the back wall. This guide rounds up the best gin tours, tastings and gin bars in the city, from hands-on distillery experiences to walk-in cocktail spots.
Below you’ll find each option as its own card — tap through for full details on location, format, price and what to expect — plus a comparison table and tips on choosing the right experience. Remember that all tastings are strictly for over-18s, and it’s worth carrying photo ID.
56 North Distillery
On this siteA 1.5-hour tour of the award-winning South Loch Gins, plus Scotland’s oldest gin bar with 300+ gins and a gin-and-cheese option.
Lind & Lime
On this siteJoin the production team at this working Leith distillery, bottle and label your own gin, and learn to mix a Gimlet.
The Lost Close
On this siteA one-hour underground tasting just off the Royal Mile — four gins, plenty of tonics and a memorable vaulted setting.
Cumberland Bar
On this siteA three-hour make-your-own-gin class where small groups blend and distill their own 500ml bottle to take home.
Heads & Tales
On this siteA hidden West End bar built around Edinburgh Gin’s in-house stills, with a creative cocktail menu and a dog-friendly welcome.
McGonagalls
On this siteA Harry Potter-styled bar on George IV Bridge with 100 gins and 120 whiskies presented like potion books.
Holyrood Distillery
Full guideEdinburgh’s first single-malt distillery since 1925 also makes gin — its tasting tour covers both spirits in one visit.
Tonic
Gin barA compact but lively cocktail bar on North Castle Street with a playful menu and clear allergen labelling.
Copper Blossom
Gin barA photogenic George Street bar with an extensive gin-infused menu, hearty food and a popular boozy brunch.
Lucky Liquor Co
Gin barA Queen Street basement bar and Ev Ed favourite with great music, specialist booze and a small snack menu.
Bramble Bar
Gin barA much-loved hidden basement cocktail bar on Queen Street, ideal for classic gin cocktails in an intimate setting.
Gin Experiences at a Glance
| Name | Area | Format | Duration | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 North | Southside | Distillery tour + tasting | 1.5 hrs | 300+ gins on the bar |
| Lind & Lime | Leith | Working distillery, bottle your own | ~1.5 hrs | Souvenir bottle |
| The Lost Close | Old Town | Underground gin tasting | 1 hr | Atmospheric setting |
| Cumberland Bar | New Town | Make-your-own gin | 3 hrs | Bespoke 500ml bottle |
| Heads & Tales | West End | Gin cocktail bar | Walk-in | Edinburgh Gin cocktails |
| McGonagalls | Old Town | Gin & whisky bar | Walk-in | 100 gins, 120 whiskies |
| Holyrood Distillery | Southside | Distillery tour (gin & whisky) | ~1 hr | Two spirits in one visit |
| Tonic | New Town | Cocktail bar | Walk-in | Compact & lively |
| Copper Blossom | George St | Cocktail bar + brunch | Walk-in | Good for groups |
| Lucky Liquor Co | New Town | Basement cocktail bar | Walk-in | Music & specialist booze |
| Bramble Bar | New Town | Basement cocktail bar | Walk-in | Classic cocktails |
How to Choose the Right Gin Experience
If you want to see how gin is actually made, start with a distillery tour. 56 North pairs the story with Scotland’s oldest gin bar, while Holyrood Distillery is the pick if you’d like to taste gin and whisky in a single visit.
For something hands-on, Lind & Lime lets you bottle your own, and the Cumberland Bar runs a three-hour class where you blend a bespoke recipe from scratch — the deepest dive on this list. Prefer to skip the tour and just drink well? The gin bars — McGonagalls, Heads & Tales and the New Town cocktail spots — are walk-in and need no booking.
Think about location too: Leith and the Southside are a short tram or bus ride out, while the Old Town, New Town and West End options are all walkable from Princes Street.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best gin tour in Edinburgh?
It depends what you want. For a classic distillery tour, 56 North and Holyrood are both excellent; for a hands-on souvenir, Lind & Lime lets you bottle your own; and for a deep bespoke class, the Cumberland Bar’s make-your-own session is hard to beat.
Do I need to book gin tours in advance?
Distillery tours, tastings and make-your-own classes (56 North, Lind & Lime, The Lost Close, Cumberland Bar, Holyrood) should be booked ahead as they run to a schedule. The gin bars — McGonagalls, Heads & Tales, Tonic, Copper Blossom, Lucky Liquor and Bramble — are walk-in.
How much do gin experiences in Edinburgh cost?
Prices vary by format, from around the cost of a tasting flight for a bar visit up to a premium for the multi-hour make-your-own classes. Check each venue’s page for current pricing before booking.
Can you make your own gin in Edinburgh?
Yes. Lind & Lime lets you bottle and label your own gin, and the Cumberland Bar runs a three-hour class where small groups blend and distill their own 500ml bottle.
Is there a minimum age for gin tastings?
Yes — all gin tastings and tours are for over-18s only, and venues may ask for photo ID.