festival FOOD & DRINK
SUPPORTED BY
Caorunn Gin Garden
The A Club
THIRSTY WORK Louise Stoddart rounds up the best pop-up bars keeping us hydrated this August
P erformers from across the globe aspire to be part of the world’s largest arts festival in Edinburgh every August. They’re not the only ones: drinks brands and bars also strive to get a piece of the action, opening pop-up watering holes across the city during the festival. Visit secret gin gardens, browse the work of young Scottish artists while sipping cocktails or get involved in whisky tasting sessions on a canal boat trip while eating Scotch eggs – whatever your bag, here are some of our top tips.
CAORUNN GIN GARDEN Hotel du Vin, until 31 Aug Caorunn, the handcrafted Highland gin, have launched a gin garden in Hotel du Vin’s courtyard for the Edinburgh Festival. Visitors can enjoy a selection of cocktails, including Garden Mojitos and Caorunn’s take on the classic French 75. Relax in a retreat of orchard apple trees and browse artwork from a selection of young Scottish artists.
THE A CLUB Merchants’ Hall, until 27 Aug Arbikie return to Edinburgh with their pop-up live music venue and cocktail bar, The A Club. Set in Merchants’ Hall, the bar features some of the top names in jazz, folk and rock music, including Ali Affleck, Glasgow funk band Charlotte Marshall and Scottish trad artist, Ryan Young. DAFFY’S GIN TERRACE G&V Royal Mile Hotel, until 31 Aug The chic Hotel G&V have turned their outdoor bar into Daffy’s
Gin Terrace for the month of the festival. The Edinburgh- based copper-pot gin distillers are serving their signature D&T’s as well as G&Bees Spritz cocktails – a concoction which combines Daffy’s Gin, apricot brandy, orange blossom, soda and home-grown honey from G&V’s rooftop beehives. WHISKY ON WATER Lochrin Belle, until 27 Aug (not 21, 26) Indulge in a spot of whisky tasting on the Scotch Egg Club’s riverboat journey along the Union Canal. Try six different Dewar’s drams and cocktails, each paired with cheese, chocolate, scotch eggs and more.
TANQUERAY’S SECRET GIN GARDEN 56 North, until 18 Aug The car park at 56 North has again been transformed into a secret gin garden by Tanqueray Gin. The secluded terrace serves gin and whisky cocktails and is only open for the duration of the Fringe. As they don’t take bookings, visitors should reserve a table in the restaurant itself and head to the secret garden before or after their meal. BRAMBLE X CUSTOM LANE Custom Lane, until 28 Aug (Fri–Sun only) Those wanting a break from the festival can wander down to Leith where one of Edinburgh’s most popular cocktail bars have opened a pop-up at Custom Lane beside local coffee producers, Williams & Johnson. The bar is only open on the weekends and offers bespoke Bramble cocktails as well as a selection of quality craft beers.
RECOMMENDS . . . RECOMMENDS . . .
GINGER GINGER
One of Edinburgh’s best- kept secrets, this amazing Indian/Nepalese restaurant will totally change the way you see Indian food. The Ginger Special Chicken is unforgettable, so get that order in.
ginger-restaurant.co.uk
30 THE LIST FESTIVAL 17–28 Aug 2017