The Devil's Advocate
Old Town, Edinburgh
Bar in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$20–30per person
Why go
Book The Devil's Advocate for a casual Old Town group night where drinks matter more than a formal dining brief. It is a stronger choice for four or more than for a quiet date, especially if the group wants central Edinburgh atmosphere without committing to a hotel bar or tasting-menu-style spend.
About The Devil's Advocate
The Devil's Advocate is a casual venue in Edinburgh with daily opening from 12 PM and late closing times. It closes at 12 AM from Sunday through Thursday and at 1 AM on Friday and Saturday.
Plan around a casual Edinburgh venue with late hours
A strong reason to keep The Devil's Advocate on an Edinburgh shortlist is timing. It opens at 12 PM every day, runs until 12 AM from Sunday through Thursday, and stays open until 1 AM on Friday and Saturday. The dress code is casual, which makes it easier to fit into an informal plan without building the evening around a formal dining room.
Because cuisine, drinks, seating, reservations, prices, or awards are not available, expectations should stay flexible. Use the hours and casual dress code as the planning anchor, then check the venue directly before relying on any specific menu, table setup, or booking arrangement.
Where the value is, and where it is not
The value case is clearest when you need a casual Edinburgh venue with late opening hours. There is not enough detail to present it as a food-led booking, a specialist bar, or a destination meal, so consider it a starting point rather than a complete night-out plan. For broader planning, you can compare it with Our full Edinburgh restaurants guide or Our full Edinburgh bars guide.
If you are building a wider Edinburgh itinerary, keep the comparison practical. Consider options such as Commons Club Bar, Ecco Vino, Epicurean, Oculus Lounge, or Sneaky Pete's depending on the kind of evening you want, and check current details directly before committing. For hotel-led planning, start with Our full Edinburgh hotels guide.
Planning details
- Location
- 9 Advocate's Cl, Edinburgh EH1 1ND, United Kingdom
- Reservations
- Book on the venue's website
- Website
- devilsadvocateedinburgh.co.uk
- Phone
- +44 131 225 4465
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Devil's Advocate sits tucked off the Royal Mile in a compressed slice of Old Town, and the building's stone walls and low-vaulted ceilings make the history here tangible. The interior leans on Victorian pump-house bones rather than ornate restoration, so heritage feels structural and purposeful rather than decorative. The program's seriousness, a whisky-led list paired with a full kitchen, gives the bar a measured, sophisticated energy. Visitors sense that this is a place built for focused drinking: atmospheric and rooted in place, but never sentimental about its past.
Best For
This is a drinking-first venue that happens to serve serious food; the menu is designed to extend a session rather than to replace a full restaurant meal. It works best for evenings when whisky exploration is the goal: after-work pours, relaxed nights out, and late-night sessions once the city thins. Because the kitchen supports rather than anchors the experience, parties looking for a long, formal dining occasion will find the focus here is on spirits and convivial drinking. Arriving early evening gives a clearer read of the space before busier service.
Ordering Tips
Let the spirit list lead: the bar's hierarchy places whisky at the center, so start by asking about the whisky program and what the house highlights are. Treat food as pairing support: small-plate choices and kitchen dishes are meant to extend your session rather than serve as a standalone dinner. If you want a quieter moment to assess the space and the list, aim for early evening before the busier dining crowd arrives. Staff guidance will steer you to pours and bites that complement a whisky-focused tasting experience.
Venue details
Ambiance
Bustling with nicely lit atmosphere, exposed brick, wooden elements, and trendy music.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Pub
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
- Music
- Trendy Indie Pop
- Spirits Focus
- Whiskey, Gin
Signature Pours
Once Upon a Thyme
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 9 Advocate's Cl, Edinburgh EH1 1ND, United Kingdom
Planning details
Location
9 Advocate's Cl, Edinburgh EH1 1ND, United Kingdom · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- Ecco Vino, Notable alternative
- Epicurean, Notable alternative
- Commons Club Bar, Notable alternative
- Oculus Lounge, Notable alternative
- Sneaky Pete's, Notable alternative
Bar context
How it compares for Edinburgh group drinks
Choose The Devil's Advocate when the priority is a flexible Old Town bar for a mixed group. Ecco Vino is the better cross-shop when wine is the point of the night, while Commons Club Bar makes more sense for a polished hotel-bar mood and a more controlled occasion.
Epicurean and Oculus Lounge are stronger fits if the group wants a sleeker setting and is comfortable paying for that atmosphere. The Devil's Advocate is the more practical call when value and location matter more than ceremony. For a louder, music-led night, Sneaky Pete's is the sharper alternative, but it is less suited to groups who want to talk through the evening.
If Edinburgh is only one stop, compare the mood against 107 Wine Bar in London, 182 Queen Margaret Dr in Glasgow, and ¡BE! Club in San Sebastián: those are different city contexts, but useful references for deciding whether this night should be wine-led, neighborhood-led, or late-night-led.
Explore Edinburgh
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Devil's Advocate guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Devil's Advocate
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| The Devil's Advocate | Edinburgh | No published awards |
| Ecco Vino | Edinburgh | No published awards |
| Epicurean | Edinburgh | No published awards |
| Commons Club Bar | Edinburgh | No published awards |
| Oculus Lounge | Edinburgh | No published awards |
| Sneaky Pete's | Edinburgh | No published awards |
How The Devil's Advocate Edinburgh compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best time to go to The Devil's Advocate?
That depends on your plan, but the hours are clear: it opens at 12 PM every day, closes at 12 AM Sunday through Thursday, and closes at 1 AM on Friday and Saturday.
Is The Devil's Advocate good for a date?
It may suit a casual Edinburgh plan. The venue features casual dress and late daily hours.
What's the crowd like at The Devil's Advocate?
A crowd description is not available. It is in Edinburgh, has a casual dress code, opens at 12 PM daily, and closes at 12 AM or 1 AM depending on the day.
Is The Devil's Advocate open late?
Yes. It opens at 12 PM every day, then closes at 12 AM Sunday through Thursday and 1 AM on Friday and Saturday.
