The Edinburgh Perspective.

The Last Drop

The Last Drop is the kind of pub that leans into its own story, and honestly, why wouldn't you? Sitting on Grassmarket where public hangings once drew crowds, the name refers to the last drop of whisky offered to the condemned before they met the gallows. It's dark, it's memorable, and it's the sort of trivia that makes this spot a natural stop for anyone exploring Edinburgh's Old Town. Inside, it's all dark wood, snug corners, and traditional Nicholson's pub charm — nothing cutting-edge, but it doesn't need to be. The food is solid pub fare. The haggis gets consistent praise from reviewers, and the sausage and mash is a reliable choice if you want something warming after a cold day on the Royal Mile. Burgers are decent too. Where The Last Drop really shines is the drinks — a good cask ale selection and a respectable whisky line-up that you'd expect from a Scottish pub of this pedigree. Service can be hit or miss when it's busy, and it gets busy a lot, so patience helps. It's not a hidden secret — with over 5,500 Google reviews, you won't be the only one who knows about it. But for a pint and a plate of haggis in a place that practically breathes Edinburgh history, it does the job better than most of the pubs on this stretch of Grassmarket.

The Bongo Club

If you're looking for Edinburgh's underground heartbeat, this is it. The Bongo Club has been doing its thing on the Cowgate since 1996, and it remains the only venue in the city consistently programming genuinely underground music — from techno and drum & bass to reggae, hip-hop, and experimental live gigs. It's not polished, it's not fancy, and that's precisely the point. You come here for the music, the sweaty dancefloor, and the crowd that actually cares about what's playing. The venue pulls in residencies from some of Scotland's most notorious club nights, and the programming is impressively eclectic — one night you might catch a grassroots live band, the next a heavyweight DJ set. Capacity is around 600 for club nights, 300 for live events, which keeps things intimate without feeling cramped. The sound system does the job, and the no-frills aesthetic is part of the charm. It's worth noting the Google rating sits at 3.6, which tells you something: this isn't a place that tries to please everyone. Some reviewers complain about the basic facilities and the rough-around-the-edges vibe, but if you're the target audience — someone who wants real underground music in a city increasingly dominated by corporate venues — you'll get exactly what you came for. Check their listings ahead of time, as the experience varies wildly depending on the night.

Jake's Place

Jake's Place doesn't try to be anything it's not, and that's its biggest strength. Tucked away on Market Street in the Old Town, this is a proper drinking den that's been quietly doing its thing since 2013. The focus is on craft ales — a solid rotation of Scottish and American brews — and an impressively deep whiskey and bourbon shelf that keeps regulars coming back. You're not going to find fancy cocktails or a gastropub menu here; what you get is a well-poured pint, a dram if you're so inclined, and a room full of people who are genuinely enjoying themselves. The atmosphere is what sells it. It's small, it's a bit cramped when it gets busy, and that's part of the charm. Reviews consistently mention how welcoming the place feels — one French visitor described it as "an incredible place we discovered by chance," which pretty much captures the Jake's Place experience. You wander in, you find a spot, and before you know it you've been there three hours. The staff know their stuff when it comes to the ale and whiskey selections, so don't be afraid to ask for recommendations. If there's a downside, it's that the space is tight, so on weekend evenings it can get shoulder-to-shoulder. But for a relaxed pint after work or a whiskey-fueled catch-up with a friend, you'd be hard-pressed to find somewhere more authentically Edinburgh in this part of town. Skip the tourist pubs on the Royal Mile and come here instead.

Yakiniku Edinburgh

Yakiniku Edinburgh does something no other restaurant in Scotland does: dedicated Japanese barbecue. You sit down, order small plates of premium meat, seafood, and vegetables, and cook them yourself on smoke-free grills built right into the table. It's a genuinely fun format — more interactive than a standard dinner, and it keeps the conversation flowing between flips of wagyu. The industrial interior (concrete walls, exposed pipes, hazard tape, softened by Japanese art and ornaments) gives the place a raw, edgy character that sets it apart from Edinburgh's usual pub-and-bistro circuit. The meat quality is the real draw, and reviewers consistently highlight it — this is make-or-break for any yakiniku spot, and Yakiniku delivers. Staff are frequently praised as friendly and welcoming, which matters when you're essentially being handed tongs and told to cook your own dinner. The smoke-free grill system is a smart touch: you don't walk out smelling like a campfire. Dishes run £10–£30, which feels fair for a premium experience. It's not flawless. A few reviewers have flagged occasional ventilation issues and some inconsistency in seasoning, so manage your expectations on busy nights. But a 4.7 Google rating from over 120 reviews tells you most people leave happy. If you're tired of the same old Edinburgh dining options and want something hands-on and memorable, this is a fresh bet on South Clerk Street.