The Bow Bar

The Bow Bar at 80 West Bow is a traditional Victorian-style bar on the curving street that links the Grassmarket to the Royal Mile in Edinburgh's Old Town, Scotland. It is a specialist's pub: the back wall is lined with several hundred single-malt whiskies, and a rotating selection of cask ales and craft beers is served from the bar. The room is compact and wood-lined, and there is no music or television, so the atmosphere is built around conversation, the whisky shelves and the pace of the bar staff.

The crowd is a mix of whisky enthusiasts, cask-ale drinkers, locals and visitors who have been directed there by guidebooks. Ages range from twenties to older regulars, and there is no dress code. The tone is relaxed and unhurried rather than rowdy; it rewards visitors who ask staff for advice and are willing to try something unfamiliar. It is not a cocktail bar and not a club, so bottle service and dancing are not part of the offer.

The drinks programme is the reason to visit. Pints of beer typically cost £5.50 to £7.50 (~$7 to $10), while drams of whisky start from about £5 (~$7) and rise considerably for older or rarer bottles. Visitors new to Scotch can ask for a tasting suggestion by region, such as Speyside, Islay or Highland. Food is limited, so it is best treated as a drinking stop rather than a dinner venue.

Opening hours are typically midday to 11pm or midnight daily. There is no cover charge, and reservations are generally not taken for drinking, so walk-in visits are the norm. The bar can fill on Friday and Saturday evenings and during the August Fringe; early evening is often the easiest time to find a spot at the bar. The location, just up from the Grassmarket and a short walk from Victoria Street and the Royal Mile, places it among some of the Old Town's most photographed streets, making it an easy stop on a walking route. Its focus on drink and conversation makes it a counterpoint to the louder bars on the Cowgate.