Natasha Corfield reviews Old Pal in Edinburgh.
Since Old Pal opened at the end of July, it has taken over my Instagram feed. I had to swing by and see what the fuss was about.
This contemporary, neighbourhood bar is inspired by the classic cocktail Old Pal (rye, dry vermouth, Campari), with the name also encapsulating how it values its customers and community.
Ben Greig, the owner, has been in hospitality for over 20 years and spent 14 years with the Bon Vivant Group. Beautifully designed with retro cocktail artwork and natural light coming through the open doors, Old Pal has a welcoming feel.
I opted first for the namesake cocktail, which, with a glug of peach wine, was delicious. The Silver Bullet Fizz was also superb – sweet, bubbly and moreish – but the Mango Paloma was unbalanced and overdiluted.
The service was warm, though pretty slow – seemingly the hospo crowd at the bar were the priority. So, is Old Pal my new best friend? It’s certainly worth a visit.
SCORE: 7/10
28 W Maitland St, Edinburgh EH12 5DX