Liquor Library

Errm, sorry guys, I like what you’re trying to do but it stumbled a little in execution. This pop-​up has temporarily taken over quite a large space just off the George IV Bridge — which is perhaps part of the problem as it was largely empty on a Saturday evening. Maybe it gets busier later but the lack of other customers in the large back room when there’s a live music duo was actually a little uncomfortable. Perhaps it’s the fact that you can’t see inside from the street or not enough people know they’re there. I simply saw 2 words I liked separately, Liquor and Library, and took a gamble!
Our drinks were small but well-​formed — the one I picked had an esoteric ingredient that had run out, but the barman seemed quite knowledgeable and described an alternative cocktail that would still use the Laphraoig 10yr that I’d been attracted to in the first place. It turned out sweeter than expected but still tasty.
The views from the back room out towards the castle are pretty good — that is, if you’re sitting at one of the 2 window tables, which were the only 2 tables taken out of about 20 in the room when we arrived. We stuck around long enough to finish our drinks then decided to escape before the angsty singing made us any more depressed. The jazz/​folksy musical duo were clearly very talented but it struck too sad a tone for me for a Saturday eve. They also weren’t helped by the mic volume being just that bit too loud, making it difficult to hold any other conversation.
I really do like the idea and it’s probably great if you want to get away from the Edin crowds at festival time, but sadly I would rather have had that drink somewhere with a more cheerful atmosphere.

Pop Up Bar on George IV for Fringe this year.
It’s a small bar with a limited selection but there’s a spacious ‘back room’ which has live music every night. The cocktails are very tasty and they have cans of Brewdog and Straropramen on tap if you’re in the mood for beer.
There is booth seating in the back room and a little window seat in the front bar bit, the other chairs aren’t the most comfy, so it’s not the kind of place you’d want to spend the whole evening, but it’s a neat place to duck into for a drink or two between shows/​bars etc.
The bar boys are bearded, waist-​coated and super duper friendly.
Would highly recommend stopping in for a drink if you’re in the area.