The Black Cat
The Black Cat
4.3
10:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Monday
10:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Tuesday
10:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Wednesday
10:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Thursday
10:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Friday
10:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 1:00 AM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 1:00 AM
About
The Black Cat is an independent business on the lively Rose Street, Edinburgh. It was established two years ago and now in the words of the Financial Times Mag "one of Edinburgh's top five places to hang out" and we agree.... This bar specialises in Scottish Whisky, currently with over 130+ (and ever growing)malts. Staff are well trained for any whiskies questions so make sure you challenge them when you get your dram! Whether your a novice or an expert we have something for you! We do have a small bar menu, basic but sure it's only to munch on with a pint! We are all Scottish (we do have Guinness, but that's a standard!
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingWhat is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Neighborhood: New Town
Suits and shopping bags rule the streets of New Town, until after dark when strappy dresses come out to play. This is the city’s central business district with its smaller offices, clothes boutiques, and many of the city’s flashiest restaurants and ritziest clubs. The architecture along roads like George Street helps give it a swank and formal feel: it’s a planned Georgian development of regal townhouses, geometric squares, and self-important statues. But it’s also a very wanderable neighborhood, with a healthy bustle at almost any time of day and fine people-watching in places like St Andrew's Square which fills with picnickers around lunch. You’ll also find a series of cheerful basement bistros on Hanover Street, while dark Rose Street has something of the feel of an undiscovered back alley and is chock-full of characterful pubs and small independent shops.
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,233 within 3 miles
Attractions
560 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.3
426 reviews
Excellent
263
Very good
102
Average
30
Poor
8
Terrible
23
mrsnellist
3 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We spent the weekend in Edinburgh, arrived at lunchtime on the Friday and spent a bit of time getting to hotel, checking in etc. we were eating in the hotel that night so just looking for a snack/drink to keep us going. Went to The Black Cat because the menu was simple and very reasonable. Both love a Guinness and spotted several other customers enjoying a pint which is always a good sign. Honestly, I can’t actually describe how lovely this pint was. None of that slight chemical taste you get sometimes these days. The food menu was simple (toasties, soup, chips etc) but very reasonably priced. Bar staff were really friendly and the pub has a great atmosphere. We actually went back on Sunday before getting the train home to have another pint and it didn’t disappoint.
Written October 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danbme
Oakland,29 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
Stopped by as we were looking for a place to sample some scotch….I mean, when in Scotland, amiright?! Hayden (from S Africa) was our tour guide and gave us the best and most extensive information about our flight, which he hand selected based on our price range. He said we name the amount 15-100$ along with flavor profiles we liked, and he would do the rest….which he did in an almost theatrical performance. It was the icing on our Edinburgh Cake.
Written September 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sophie k
16 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Stayed in Edinburgh and for 2 nights I tried to get in this amazing little pub and I finally got a seat. There was a few people playing fiddles and pipes and guitar and it was incredible!! It's dark with candle lit tables which made it so cosy, the atmosphere was amazing. There was people sampling whisky and generally having a good time. Great place for proper drinks! I had a Shiraz which was nice and I shared my table with some locals who were hosting a friend and everyone was so friendly. If I'm back in Edinburgh I'll be back here for sure !!
Written December 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lhg22
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK91 contributions
Oct 2021
We popped in here to try a whisky flight. The bar tender was so friendly and helpful. Even though the bar was busy, he came outside where we were sitting, and talked through the whiskies he had chosen for us, where they originated, and why he had chosen them. Considering the flight only came to ÂŁ15, it was almost like having a personal tasting session. Honestly well worth the money, such a friendly atmosphere. Would 100% recommend!
Written October 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Haru
3 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
The bar guy mistook my companions bad pronunciation for drunkiness and so he denied us any alcoholic drinks.
The thing is, none of us could be drunk since we didn't had anything before at all. And a lot of the guys who were sitting at the bar looked much more drunk than we could ever have been...
The bartender got very rude when I wanted to explain the situation. Also, I had to explain it to my companion who doesn't speak english well. He couldn't even defend himself.
The encounter was very embarrassing so we just left after that.
If the staff can make such shady judgements there I would not recommend this bar at any costs.
The thing is, none of us could be drunk since we didn't had anything before at all. And a lot of the guys who were sitting at the bar looked much more drunk than we could ever have been...
The bartender got very rude when I wanted to explain the situation. Also, I had to explain it to my companion who doesn't speak english well. He couldn't even defend himself.
The encounter was very embarrassing so we just left after that.
If the staff can make such shady judgements there I would not recommend this bar at any costs.
Written August 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KaladinT
London, UK190 contributions
Sep 2020
Visited twice during our short break in Edinburgh. The quality of service was excellent, in particular when it came to the whisky. There’s a very large selection of Scotch, and the bartenders knowledge and passion was remarkable. The prices were great too, with a flight of 3 whisky’s for £15 - especially when they will talk you through each of the bottles too, and the beer very reasonable too.
Written September 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
katemi01
Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK69 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Excellent. We wanted to do a whisky tasting and were tipped off that this was the place to go. It was so much better than a big distillery one and the lovely man sat and told us lots about whisky, would highly recommend!
Written August 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lucinda C
Bude, UK28 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Antony was fantastic at selecting whiskeys for us (who are daily amateur at tasting), and felt very accommodated and attended to the entire time we we’re there (and overstayed our table by 30mins).
Great range of whiskey, excellent service, covid safe. Book in advance.
Great range of whiskey, excellent service, covid safe. Book in advance.
Written October 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndrewHowson
Brighouse, UK427 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
We called here for a quiet drink.
The staff were great, but when you spend £16 on 2 bottles and a pint and some drunken lanky youth tries to make you smell whatever he’s got in his glass then knocks your glass over we decided it was time to go.
Up to then it was great, the atmosphere was very good.
Just spoiled by one.
Sadly you cannot account for the stupidity of your customers.
The staff were great, but when you spend £16 on 2 bottles and a pint and some drunken lanky youth tries to make you smell whatever he’s got in his glass then knocks your glass over we decided it was time to go.
Up to then it was great, the atmosphere was very good.
Just spoiled by one.
Sadly you cannot account for the stupidity of your customers.
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will G
London, UK15 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
I’d never usually leave a review for a pub. But this place was so good that we came back every single day of our trip. Great selection of drinks but the shout-out has to go the the South African (I think) barman who was hilarious and accommodating the whole time. The pub is small but charming and really felt like we were in Scotland, we can’t wait to go back!
Written August 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, does anyone know what time the live music starts on a Saturday?
Written August 4, 2024
Does this restaurant offer carry out orders?
Written May 21, 2024
I was there a few times with my friends, some of them with dogs . We never had any problems.The dog must be on a lead.
Written December 30, 2019
What is the range for whiskey flight options? Considering a stop in here for an alternative whiskey experience
Written April 5, 2018
There are options ranging from 12 - 100 pound with Scottish Single Malts, international Whiskey as well as blends. They have over 200 whiskeys there and if you ask staff for recommendations they will find new tastes for you.
Written July 10, 2019
Hi do you have live music during the week? If so what days and times?
Thanks
Written May 15, 2017
OOPS a bit late not sure but the whisky is good
Written September 29, 2017
Have you got live music scheduled for Sunday December 11th in the evening, we're looking for a bar to spend the evening in with traditional or folk music on.
Written October 26, 2016
Hi, yes we have live folk music every Sunday in December from 4pm til 7pm! Hope to see you then. Jane (Manager)
Written October 27, 2016
Showing results 1-9 of 9
Related Stories
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing