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The door of Nightcap on York Place under its neon sign.
Edinburgh

Nightcap

A small cocktail bar in a basement on York Place, of neon and bare brick, open every night until three in the morning.

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Welcome

On York Place, at the east end of the New Town, a doorway under a glowing neon sign leads down stone steps into Nightcap, a small cocktail bar in a basement.

It keeps late hours, and it is often the last stop of an evening.

The room is intimate, of bare brick walls, concrete, tile and warm low lighting, with pink neon and bottles glowing on the shelves. The cocktails are the heart of it, the house drinks served with smoke, flame and inventive garnishes alongside the classics. There are beers and wines from around the world too, and a shelf of Scotland's finest single malts for anyone who would rather keep it simple.

Nightcap opens every night from five in the evening until three in the morning, a few minutes' walk from St Andrew Square and the top of Leith Walk.

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Arrives at 5am every day.

A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.

The Daily for 10 November, from Scotland with love. Aerial view of a concrete road bridge with angled supports spanning a sea loch, twin cloud-wrapped mountain peaks rising behind autumn-coloured hills.
Close byPicklesA cosy wine bar on Broughton Street of Scottish cheese and meat platters, chutneys and pickles, wine and cider, with no bookings taken.1 min by roadSee itPickles

Before you go

Open every night from five in the evening until three in the morning.

Where
3 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EB.
Telephone
0131 563 9880.

Opening hours

Monday
5pm–3am
Tuesday
5pm–3am
Wednesday
5pm–3am
Thursday
5pm–3am
Friday
5pm–3am
Saturday
5pm–3am
Sunday
5pm–3am

Eaten here? Tell others what to order and when to go, and the best go on this page with your name.

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Where it is

On York Place, at the east end of the New Town.

Close byYork Place and St Andrew Square.
  1. The banking hall at The Spence, Gleneagles Townhouse, with its glass dome, gilded ceiling and granite columns above diners and the central bar.The SpenceThe all-day restaurant of Gleneagles Townhouse on St Andrew Square, in the old banking hall, with a bar beneath its glass dome.Under a mile as the crow flies
  2. The front of Bonnie & Wild on Level 4 of the St James Quarter, its name above the doors, with people eating at the tables outside under the glass roof.Bonnie & WildUnder a mile as the crow flies
  3. A slice of New York-style margherita pizza on Flùr's printed paper, on a table in the Bonnie and Wild food hall.FlùrUnder a mile as the crow flies
  4. Scottish National Portrait GalleryScottish National Portrait GalleryThe first gallery in the world built for portraits, on Queen Street.Under a mile 3 min by road
  5. Sesame bun burger with charred patty, frilly lettuce and red sauceHoly CowOne of Edinburgh's first fully vegan cafes, on Elder Street.Under a mile 3 min by road
  6. Booth seating and framed portraits line a dark-panelled restaurant wallDishoomA Bombay cafe on St Andrew Square, dedicated to Patrick Geddes.Under a mile 3 min by road
Directions
A table at Roti King: roti canai with a bowl of curry, nasi lemak with fried chicken and sambal, chicken satay, morning glory and glasses of iced tea.RestaurantsRoti King0.2 miles
Vinette's pale front on Broughton Street at dusk, its name above the apricot door and tall window, with lamps lit either side.RestaurantsVinette0.2 miles
The Cheese Gallery at The Big Cheese on Broughton Street: glass cabinets of cut wedges and whole wheels of cheese, each with its label.ShoppingThe Big Cheese0.2 miles
The Broughton's deep blue pub front on Broughton Street, its name in gold above the windows and Welcome over the door.RestaurantsThe Broughton0.2 miles
French onion soup topped with cheese, a basket of bread and slices of saucisson on a table at Chez Jules on Hanover Street.RestaurantsChez Jules0.2 miles
Lucky Yu's blue shopfront on Broughton Street at dusk, its windows lit pink by neon around an old wooden door.RestaurantsLucky Yu0.2 miles
The grey-green front of Archipelago Bakery at 39 Dundas Street, with its name in red above the door, a chalkboard outside and pink tables and chairs on the pavement.CafeArchipelago Bakery0.3 miles
Man standing outside The Street bar, with rainbow murals and pavement seatingRestaurantsThe Street0.3 miles
Pickles of Broughton Street shopfront with hanging baskets beneath large windowsRestaurantsPickles0.3 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

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Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.

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The collections it is in and more in Edinburgh.

CollectionScotland's Best Cocktail BarsCollectionEdinburgh's Best Cocktail BarsCollectionRestaurants and Bars in Edinburgh's New Town
More in Edinburgh

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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .