Established in 2018, The Raging Bull is a cocktail bar located in the heart of Edinburgh on Lothian Road. We wanted to open a bar which focuses on making fun and innovative cocktails.

​We have two bars - our main bar when you enter from Lothian Road, and our Basement bar, open for private functions and parties. So please leave any inhibitions at the door and take a walk on the wild side!

Initially we wanted to put our own twist on popular classics, bringing them a certain pizzazz that was lacking. This is where the espresso martini came to mind. We knew how popular this cocktail was in Edinburgh, as every good cocktail bar in the city at least does the classic. So ever since opening we have always had at least 6 variations of this drink which changes seasonally. Some of our most popular creations include ‘The Salted Caramel’, ‘Chocolate Mint’, ‘Banoffee Pie’, ‘Orange’, ‘Gingerbread’, and ‘Flat White Martini’ to name a few.

​Our team of mixologists spend months coming up with the perfect balance while tweaking and perfecting them so that once they’re on the menu they are the best quality they can possibly be. If you’re lucky enough to be in the bar when the team are experimenting, then you may even get to try one of our creations, although your payment will be honest feedback. And if one espresso martini isn’t enough for you, then try ‘The Raging Bull’ our double espresso martini served in a crystal goblet! That will certainly give you your Saturday night caffeine kick.

For those who don’t like coffee, then don’t be disappointed as we have 11 other non-espresso cocktails which are all created by our team. From sweet to smoky, there is something for everyone! We also change this menu seasonally to try and keep in line with the cold dark Edinburgh winters and the not so cold and not so dark… cloudy summers.

​If you want a cocktail that you’ve had in our bar before but can no longer see it, well then you probably haven’t seen our ‘Gone but not forgotten’ menu hung up on the wall! We always try to be unique in what we create and the most fun we have is meeting brand reps and tasting their products to incorporate into our colourful, tasty menu. Don’t be put off if you want to stick with what you know - we do a killer ‘Passionfruit Martini’ which is always a safe bet, and like any good cocktail bar we can do all the classics on request, or even personalised cocktails for those who know exactly what they want in their drink and however they want it

If you want a hands-on experience of cocktail making, then why not book a cocktail masterclass with one of our award-winning mixologists? Whether you want an educational masterclass or just a fun easy going one, we can accommodate all preferences. We have two options:

• Our Silver package includes the instruction and making of two cocktails from a pre-selected list and two shaken/layered shots
• Our Gold package includes a welcome glass of fizz on arrival to the bar, the instruction and making of two cocktails, two shaken/layered shots and a buffet of snacks and nibbles to finish

Our masterclass hosts are well seasoned and are always up for a good laugh. Trust me, they’ve seen it all!

Over the past two years we have begun to leave our mark on Edinburgh’s cocktail scene at events like Cocktails in the City and Edinburgh Cocktail Week. These events have been great for us for many reasons. The obvious one being that we get to introduce ourselves to people who may not have even heard of us or been to our bar.

In 2019 we teamed up with Eden Mill for Edinburgh Cocktail Week where we worked together to create a unique menu which we served up at the cocktail village. We also had our cocktail of the month on at the bar, which was an Eden Mill twist on a bramble!

Earlier in 2019 was our first time at Cocktails in the City hosted at The Hub on the Royal Mile. This event had a bit of a competitive twist, where customers would rate each bar’s cocktails and it’s safe to say our 'Monkey Jam' went down a treat! Served straight in a coupe, it was made up of Monkey Shoulder blended Scotch, discarded sweet cascara vermouth, honey, blackberry jam, apple and lemon all shaken up. We then whipped up a foam which we layered on top of the cocktail. The latter was made by adding pineapple juice, lemon, sugar and egg white into a whipped cream dispenser, which gave it a lovely fluffy texture.

​We can’t wait to get back involved with events like these post-Covid.

Our Basement bar is a fantastic space for hosting birthday parties, team building workshops, work nights, charity quizzes and many more events for up to 60 people. The demand is high for this space with Fridays and Saturdays usually booked months in advance. You will have your own bartender and the option to play your own music should you wish. On top of that we can provide a buffet from an external caterer or you can bring your own food if preferred.

The whole month of August the space is used for the Edinburgh Fringe. In previous years we have hosted everything from comedy shows to Burlesque which is easily the most popular show each year, with queues halfway down Lothian Road. Unfortunately, not everyone can get in, so arrive well in advance if you want to let these awesome Berliners amaze you!

In 2020, hospitality took a huge hit due to Covid-19. Like all bars and restaurants, we had to adapt and adapt we did.

The obvious thing for us to do was to create cocktails that can be bottled and don’t need to be consumed straight away, and because our espresso martinis are our signature drinks, then our biggest challenge was giving these drinks a good shelf life, and to be able to be consumed weeks later at the same quality as when they were made. This would mean people can put the drinks into their home fridge and consume when they wanted.

We first did some research on adding preservatives like sodium benzoate, but we quickly realised that we aren’t chemists and that wasn’t the route to go down. After weeks of more research, we came across Absolute Roasters who are a cold brew and speciality coffee company based in Glasgow. These guys pasteurise their cold brew in various size kegs, which gives it a longer lasting shelf life, exactly what we were looking for! This solved all our problems and meant we could bottle our espresso martinis for takeaway and deliveries, and also send them in the post to our followers in other parts of the UK.

Along with our espresso martinis, we have another eight non-espresso cocktails, which all have shelf lives of up to four weeks. From our bold and smokey ‘Auld Riqui’ to our sweet and fruity ‘Flower Power’ there’s a cocktail for everyone, all available from our online shop.

Our online cocktail masterclasses have been another source of income for us whilst our doors have been closed. Doing masterclasses in the bar comes naturally, but to do them over Zoom was new to us all.

Like everyone in 2020 our team adapted, and we decided to offer various packages, which included making classic, gin, rum, whisky and vodka cocktails at home. To make these classes the best they can be we send out a little cocktail kit to participants. These include a cocktail Boston tin and glass, measuring jigger, hawthorn strainer and fine strainer. We also send 25ml bottles of spirits, liqueurs and syrups to cover the three cocktails they would be making.

​These classes have been a breath of fresh air for us as it’s been great to re-engage with people and it brought back the sense of providing hospitality again, even if it is in a different way!

One of our Visit Edinburgh partners is Wee Scottish Tours - here's a sample of the services and itineraries they can offer!

During the bleak midwinter, Edinburgh bursts into spectacular life - especially in the last week of December, when thousands of people arrive in the city for the annual Hogmanay festival, to mark the turning of the old year into the new.

This winter may be a little different for the Scottish capital, but if you plan to visit Edinburgh this Christmas, two of our local tour guide partners have some top tips for things to see and do  in the city...

Check out these recommendations from Wee Walking Tours and Edinburgh Expert - and be sure to wrap up warm!

One of our favourite locations that we visit on our afternoon tours is Calton Hill. This picturesque hilltop location offers stunning 360-degree views of the city with amazing wintertime sunsets. ​Once the sun sets, the city comes alive with lights and is an incredible way to experience Edinburgh.

​Of course, we may be biased, but one of the best ways we recommend that you experience Calton Hill is alongside our Golden Retriever tour guide, Sawyer. He is accompanied by our human tour guide, Sami, who loves to share stories, fun facts, and touring recommendations while taking in views of Edinburgh- the ‘Athens of the North’.

Edinburgh Expert says...

Edinburgh's Old Town can be especially beautiful in the winter months, when the sun sets around 3.30pm. With the lights coming on across the city, and the Christmas decorations in many of the streets lighting up the darkness, there can be a really special atmosphere in the air!

But even during the days, when we can be lucky enough to get crisp blue skies, the winter can be a great time for exploring the city. Take a wander down the Royal Mile, checking out the lanes and alleys - 'closes' and 'wynds' as they're known - to discover the Canongate area.

In keeping with the seasonal spirit you'll find a Christmas shop selling festive decorations all year round, and the Canongate Kirk even has a connection to Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol​...

At the other side of the city, another former outlying village is worth exploring - just a short walk from Princes Street (and featuring on my New Town tour) is the Dean Village, an old industrial village which is now a sleepy suburb.

The Water of Leith runs through this valley, and you can follow the adjacent path inland to the hills, or out to the coast, where the river joins the Firth of Forth.

Down here it's hard to remember you're in the middle of the city, and during the winter you'll can get photographs unspoiled by other tourists (which can be tricky in the summer!).

Best of all, in the winter you have the perfect excuse to end your day at a traditional pub or a bar with a roaring open fire, creating the perfect mid-winter atmosphere as you relax from your day exploring.

The Sheep Heid in Duddingston village claims to be the oldest pub in Scotland, with a historic skittles alley where both Mary Queen of Scots and President Jimmy Carter have played skittles (though not at the same time...!). 

Wherever you in Edinburgh during your visit city break, enjoy the city's unique atmosphere and its amazing array of independent shops, bars and restaurants!

Wee Walking Tours and Edinburgh Expert Walking Tours both offer private and customised walking tours of Edinburgh all year round.

Edinburgh attracts over 4 million visitors per year and enjoys a reputation for being one of the finest history and culture destinations in Europe.

​But 2020 has been a challenge for Edinburgh - the visitor season was decimated by the covid-19 pandemic, and with the cancellation of the city's major festivals for the first time since 1947 the streets were strangely silent at what should have been the busiest, buzziest time of year.

As we look ahead to summer 2021, there remains a lot of uncertainty for Edinburgh, as with the rest of the world. We don't yet know what restrictions will be in place as the visitor industry struggles to get back on its feet, and the many casualties of summer 2020 - businesses who had to close or fundamentally change the services they offer - mean the future isn't so rosy for many whose lives and livelihoods depends on Edinburgh's visitors.

In this challenging and uncertain time, small businesses are more vulnerable than ever, and so it has never been more important to show support for the vast number of hospitality venues, restaurants, bars, shops and visitor services providers who lack the profile of some of the iconic attractions, accommodation providers and chain restaurants of the high street.

That's where visit-edinburgh.org comes in!

​This site has been set up to provide a platform to small, independent and local businesses to reach a wider global market, and to showcase the fantastic range of products and visitors services that can only be found by looking beyond the 'top ten' lists and the multinational websites with million dollar marketing budgets.

Every product, service, venue and organisation featured in our listings belongs to a dedicated business owner living and working right here in Edinburgh. Our Partners pay an annual fee to have a listing on visit-edinburgh.org, and to feature in the blogs, social media and special offers pages of the website. 

From tour guides to guesthouse owners, and from shops to bars and restaurants, each of the businesses featured operates without the resources of a chain brand or global franchise owner. Many businesses have been built from scratch by passionate locals who want to offer a level of service that bigger companies simply can't manage - a more personalised, bespoke, customised service that gives visitors to Edinburgh a friendlier, more authentic experience of the city.

This site brings these disparate businesses together under an umbrella intended to showcase these independent and locally-owned visions of Edinburgh's world-famous hospitality and tourism. And by connecting you directly to the providers themselves, we guarantee you'll get the best service, quality and price for your money - and you can know that your visitor dollar is going directly to support local people who in turn will be reinvesting in their community.

We don't take a cut or a commission from the sales these businesses make, and each business retains full control over its services and products. 

So don't fritter your money away on mass-produced plastic souvenirs which have travelled further than you have to be sold in the shops on the Royal Mile - look for the handcrafted gifts in the smaller shops created by artisan producers who are inspired by Scotland.

Don't eat out at the branded chain diners that you'll find on every high street in the country - look for the independent restaurants which source local, seasonal produce and serve it with a smile.

Why pay for the familiar corporate hospitality of a major hotel brand when you could experience the unique Scottish hospitality of a small hotelier who will greet you by name?

And seek out the local Edinburgh tour guides who know the city like the back of their own hands, whose knowledge and passion for these streets can be heard in every story and anecdote.

We believe that a visit to Edinburgh doesn't mean the same thing to everyone who comes here. Don't settle for a copy-and-paste Edinburgh experience - take the time to create a trip that draws on local knowledge and expertise, to give you an experience of Edinburgh that is as unique as the city itself.

That's a visit to Edinburgh that you'll remember long after you return home. And for us, it's what we do every day!