Mac Rating: 5.00 | Votes: 1 | Date: 19/06/2026 21:20:00

Occupying a listed building on Edinburgh's grand George Street, in the heart of the New Town, the Alchemist is a cocktail bar and restaurant known for theatrical, molecular mixology. The second of the brand's venues in the Scottish capital, it opened in 2022 to complement its St James Quarter sibling, with a particular focus on the late-night drinking experience. The interior, designed by Blacksheep, draws on earthly and cosmic themes, pairing celestial artwork and sculpted accents with soothing hues of burnt orange, black and aged brass. A main bar, dining area and flexible seating sit beneath atmospheric lighting, while a private Patron Parlour offers an exclusive space for events, tastings and immersive experiences. Cocktails are the headline draw, served with the obsessive eye for detail and dash of theatre for which the Alchemist is famous, from smoke-filled fog bubbles to colour-changing concoctions and assassin's-teapot serves. An all-day menu of globally inspired dishes, from smoking boards and flatbreads to indulgent desserts, runs alongside, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. The venue works as easily for a light lunch or weekend cocktail brunch as for late-night hedonism, with table service from nine each evening and resident DJs setting the tone at weekends. Drinks packages, sharing cocktails and themed brunches make it a popular choice for celebrations and group bookings in the city centre. Set among the upmarket shops of George Street, within easy walking distance of Princes Street, St Andrew Square and the city's transport links, it is conveniently placed for locals and visitors alike. Combining listed-building grandeur with the brand's signature spectacle, the Alchemist has become a glamorous fixture of Edinburgh's New Town. The pairing of theatrical, smoke-and-colour cocktails with an all-day globally inspired menu and weekend DJs gives the venue a sense of spectacle that sets it apart on George Street, while its private Patron Parlour caters to tastings and celebrations. Among the New Town's grand facades, it has become a glamorous draw.