The Last Drop

The Last Drop is a traditional pub at 74-78 Grassmarket in Edinburgh's Old Town, Scotland, named after the nearby site where public hangings were carried out for centuries. The Grassmarket is a wide cobbled square beneath Edinburgh Castle, ringed with pubs, restaurants and independent shops, and the pub sits in the middle of that scene. The crowd is mixed and relaxed: visitors fresh from the castle or a ghost tour, groups of friends, and locals who treat it as a straightforward place for a pint. Ages range from twenties to older regulars, and there is no dress code beyond ordinary casual clothes.

The atmosphere is that of a traditional Scottish pub, with a lively buzz rather than a hushed one. Music is incidental, and the pub is more about conversation, food and the people-watching that the square provides. Outdoor tables on the Grassmarket fill early on summer weekends, and sitting outside with the castle rock overhead is one of the more popular ways to spend a light Edinburgh evening.

The drinks programme is built around pints of beer, typically £5.50 to £7.50 (~$7 to $10), and a range of Scotch whiskies with drams from about £5 (~$7). Food is served through the day, which makes the pub a reasonable option for lunch or an early dinner before moving on elsewhere. It is not a cocktail destination or a club, and there is no bottle service.

Opening hours are typically 11am to 1am daily, so it is suited both to a daytime stop and to a late drink. There is no cover charge. Reservations are generally not the norm for drinking, though groups wanting to eat at busy times may want to ask ahead. The pub tends to be at its busiest before and after Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Fringe shows in August, and on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the year, so visitors who want a table should come early. Its position at the foot of the Old Town, close to Victoria Street, the Cowgate and the Royal Mile, makes it an easy anchor for a pub crawl through the historic quarter.