Lucky Liquor Co
New Town, Edinburgh
Bar in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Book with PearlWhy go
Lucky Liquor Co on Queen Street is Edinburgh's most accessible walk-in cocktail bar; no reservations needed, no ceremony, a deliberately casual aesthetic that sets it apart from the city's polished speakeasy circuit. It's the right call when Bramble has a queue or you want a confident drink without the fuss. Not a wine bar, but a solid mid-tier cocktail stop in the New Town.
About Lucky Liquor Co
Quick Take: Worth a Visit on Queen Street
Lucky Liquor Co earns a visit for first-timers who want a no-fuss, personality-driven bar on Edinburgh's Queen Street without the reservation hassle or the premium pricing that comes with the city's more celebrated cocktail rooms. Walk-in friendly and easy to book, this is the kind of place you land in before dinner or after a long afternoon in the New Town; practical, approachable, a solid alternative if Bramble has a queue.
The address; 39A Queen Street, puts you squarely in the heart of Edinburgh's New Town, within easy reach of the financial district and a short walk from the main shopping corridors. For a first visit, arrive early in the evening when the room is quieter and you can actually get a sense of the space and the menu. Later in the week, particularly Thursday through Saturday, expect a younger crowd and a louder room. The bar's visual identity leans into American dive-bar references, a deliberate aesthetic choice that reads immediately when you walk in, one that sets it apart from the polished speakeasy feel at Panda & Sons or the wine-forward warmth of Aurora.
On the drinks side, the format skews toward well-executed classic cocktails and spirits-led serves rather than an extensive by-the-glass wine program. If you are specifically looking for wine bar depth, the kind of curated list where you can move through a half-dozen producers by the glass and get a real sense of a region, Lucky Liquor Co is not that. For that experience in Edinburgh, you are better served heading to Aurora or checking our full Edinburgh bars guide for dedicated wine venues. What Lucky Liquor Co does offer is accessible, confident cocktail making without the ceremony or the wait list that accompanies the city's top-tier cocktail destinations.
Booking is easy, walk-ins are generally fine, the bar does not require advance reservations in the way that Edinburgh's more reservation-heavy spots do. That accessibility is genuinely part of the appeal. For first-timers exploring Edinburgh's drinking options, it sits comfortably in the mid-tier alongside 24 Royal Terrace Hotel, and offers a sharper point of view than a generic hotel bar. Check our Edinburgh restaurants guide if you want to pair the evening with dinner nearby, or browse our Edinburgh hotels guide if you are still sorting where to stay.
Planning details
- Location
- 39A Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 3NH, United Kingdom
- Website
- luckyliquorco.com
- Phone
- +44 131 225 4290
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Lucky Liquor Co reads like a cultivated neighbourhood bar rather than a theatrically staged cocktail den. It sits at street level on Queen Street and belongs to New Town’s cluster of independent bars that foreground craft and knowledge over gimmickry. The tone is restrained and grounded: bartending that favors substance, a crowd drawn from nearby residents and workers, and a quiet confidence that comes from doing well what similar venues often overperform. The result is a sophisticated, classic-feeling local that rewards people who care about the drinks rather than the drama.
Best For
This is a place for locals and serious drinkers who want an unshowy, well-made cocktail in a neighbourhood setting. It suits after-work drinks and casual hangouts for people who live or work in New Town, and it also attracts visitors who specifically seek out the address. Because the bar privileges craft over performance, it can also work for low-key date nights where conversation and quality drinks are the priority. It’s less of a tourist destination than Old Town spots and more of a discovery for those who appreciate thoughtful bartending.
Ordering Tips
Approach Lucky Liquor Co expecting craft-driven, bartender-led service rather than theatrical presentations. If you care about serious drinks, ask the staff for a recommendation — the description makes clear the crowd and team favor well-considered cocktails and a knowledgeable approach. Come curious and let the bartenders steer you toward something that matches your taste; this bar rewards patrons who value technique and provenance over novelty. Avoid expecting gimmicky signatures and instead look for thoughtful, classic-orientated mixes.
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Bramble; Notable alternative
- Panda & Sons; Notable alternative
- Cafe St Honore; Notable alternative
- Ecco Vino; Notable alternative
- Good Brothers; Notable alternative
Bar context
Bramble is the obvious first comparison, the honest answer is that Bramble has the edge on cocktail craft and atmosphere; it is consistently cited as one of the UK's better basement bars, the drinks program shows it. Lucky Liquor Co is easier to get into and less precious about the experience, which makes it a stronger pick if you are looking for a low-commitment drink rather than a destination evening. If you want the best cocktail in Edinburgh, book Bramble. If you just want a good one without the wait, Lucky Liquor Co works.
Panda & Sons occupies a different tier entirely; the speakeasy format and more elaborate menu make it a better choice for occasions where the venue itself is part of the event. For wine specifically, neither Lucky Liquor Co nor Panda & Sons is the right answer: Aurora and venues like those listed in our Edinburgh bars guide offer more depth by the glass. Cafe St Honore and Good Brothers cover different ground; the former is a full restaurant with a wine-forward list, the latter more of a neighbourhood bottle shop and bar hybrid; so the comparison only really holds if cocktails are your primary interest.
For travellers benchmarking Edinburgh against other cities: Lucky Liquor Co sits a level below destination cocktail bars like 69 Colebrooke Row in London or Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu, but that is not the point; it is priced and pitched accordingly, the walk-in accessibility makes it a practical first-night option when you are still getting your bearings in the New Town.
Explore Edinburgh
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Lucky Liquor Co guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Lucky Liquor Co
| Venue | Awards | Booking Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Lucky Liquor Co | No published awards | Easy |
| Bramble | 2026 Food & Wine Top 10 Global Bars · #3Top 500 Bars 2026 · #1772016 World's 50 Best Bars · #472014 World's 50 Best Bars · #322013 World's 50 Best Bars · #322012 World's 50 Best Bars · #102011 World's 50 Best Bars · #142010 World's 50 Best Bars · #252009 World's 50 Best Bars · #7 | Unknown |
| Panda & Sons | No published awards | Unknown |
| Cafe St Honore | No published awards | Unknown |
| Ecco Vino | No published awards | Unknown |
| Good Brothers | No published awards | Unknown |
Key differences to consider before you reserve.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the crowd like at Lucky Liquor Co?
Expect a mixed but generally younger crowd drawn to the bar's relaxed, no-frills atmosphere on Queen Street. It pulls in after-work drinkers, locals, visitors who want character without a dress code or booking requirement. It is not a scene bar, so you are unlikely to feel out of place at any reasonable hour.
Is the food good at Lucky Liquor Co?
Lucky Liquor Co is a drinks-first bar, so if food is central to your plan, build your evening around a meal elsewhere on Queen Street first. Treat this as your bar stop, not your dinner destination. For food alongside cocktails in Edinburgh's New Town, Cafe St Honore nearby is a stronger choice.
Is Lucky Liquor Co good for a date?
Yes, with the right expectations. The bar's personality and lack of reservation stress make it a low-pressure first or second date option in Edinburgh's New Town. It works better for drinks than a full evening, so pair it with dinner nearby; Ecco Vino on Cockburn Street is a practical complement if you want wine and food to follow.
Is Lucky Liquor Co good for groups?
Small groups of three to five should be fine on a quieter evening, but larger parties should arrive early or risk a squeeze. For groups wanting a more structured setup with private space options, Bramble or Panda & Sons are better-equipped alternatives in Edinburgh. Lucky Liquor Co suits spontaneous group drinks more than a planned celebration.
