Edinburgh Travel UK

Two Bars to Visit in Edinburgh – Rabble & Copper Blossom

Trips to Edinburgh from Newcastle are so easy, and this year I’ve already ventured up there twice. You might remember my stay at the Principal Charlotte Square over Easter weekend, but even if you’re not staying, a day trip for some shopping, good food and cocktails is definitely doable on the train. During my recent visits I’ve discovered two fabulous bars/restaurants that deliver everything you need for either a girls day out or a date – Rabble Taphouse & Grill, and Copper Blossom.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

Rabble Taphouse & Grill

I first discovered this place on social media, and it’s where we went for dinner back in March after being strongly swayed by the menu, made up largely of open grill meats and fish. Located just off George Street it can be found right in the centre of the New Town, and the bar and restaurant are basically in the basement. Don’t let the sound of this put you off, if you’ve been to Edinburgh you’ll know around this area there are so many cool little basement bars, and this one is no exception.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

The upper floors are all part of the same place, and form a boutique hotel with ten rooms, ideal for if you did want to extend your stay and be really central. It’s quirky, and very cute both at night with all the fairy lights, or during the day with plenty floral arrangements, a white washed outdoor area, and a glittering bar fully stocked with gin.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

Our first visit was for an evening meal, where we shared a king prawn starter, followed by steaks for main.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

All the food is locally sourced, and cooked on the charcoal fire pit. I was tempted by the salmon, and there’s a full menu of other meats and fish to choose from, but ultimately we were always going to go for the steaks. I got the sirloin which was delicious, but Kieran got the fillet, which comes served with a giant hash brown and that was the winner.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

It looked an incredible juicy chunk of meat, and alongside it we got french fries and a side of mac and cheese. Literally our ideal meal! Washed down with a nice red wine, followed by gin cocktails at the car this place totally stuck in our minds for months to come. So much so, when it came to Kieran’s birthday I arranged a day trip to Edinburgh, and the main reason was for another steak back at Rabble.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

Our second visit was therefore at lunchtime, and we were gutted to find that the menu was slightly different – mainly because steaks didn’t feature until the evening. We told our waiter we had come from Newcastle specifically for them, and were so lucky because the chef had already started to prepare them and was happy to make them for us. If that isn’t good service I don’t know what is. We had the exact same meal as the first time, except I didn’t mess about and had the fillet this time too.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

Being there at lunchtime in the summer, it was more opportunity to take in the place itself. It’s so pretty, with a little outside terrace, all decked out in the St Germain pop up summer theme.

 

 

The St Germain liqueur have taken over Rabble for the whole of summer, and transformed it into a Parisian style garden. There’s features outside, but the main event is the indoor garden space – how gorgeous?!

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

If you’re visiting Edinburgh before the clocks go back, then I really can’t recommend a visit enough. It’s casual but elegant, and somewhere just a little bit different than the typical bars and restaurants you find in most cities. It’s only been open just over a year, and they really have nailed the food and drink concept. I’d love to go for brunch, because judging by their instagram that looks pretty special too.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

Copper Blossom

Both my mum and sister recommended this place to me for cocktails, and back in March it was raining so much we didn’t leave Rabble all night. In June though, we had an hour to kill before our Rabble table, so spent it having a pre lunch cocktail (or four) at Copper Blossom.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

Again just off George Street in the New Town, Copper Blossom is the perfect summer cocktail bar right in the centre. It’s been open a bit longer than Rabble, and has the feel a bit like the Ivy, or Selfridges floral lounge.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

In the same style as Rabble, and many others nearby you go down to the basement from the street to get to it, and find yourself in a chic looking lounge bar. It’s bright and airy, with a floor to ceiling glass front, high marble topped tables, and flowery chairs.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

Further in there’s more secluded booths and tables, or more lounge style yellow sofas and low coffee tables. Another gorgeous bar to look at, and a cocktail menu that will have you taking at least ten minutes to browse through and make a decision.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

Over the course of our visit, I tried at least four, including the Royal Blush gin and pink grapefruit cocktail from the Copper Summer Serve menu, a pornstar martini, and a Garden Party with Brockman’s gin, elderflower and lime. The cocktail menu is a decent size, with some fancy originals and the old favourites for the less adventurous. They weren’t extravagantly priced either.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

Of course there’s wine, beers, ciders and cocktails as well. I could happily have spent the entire afternoon working my way through the drinks menu.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

After working up a bit of an appetite we decided to order a light bar snack to share, and I have to say the menu for this type of bite wasn’t huge. We got some sweet chilli chicken skewers which were nice, but the menu is definitely more for a full meal.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

I’ve not ate here for a proper meal yet, but the Sunday lunch photos looked quite nice. I have read some reviews which state it’s definitely more of a bar than a food place, but I would try it for food in future. As far as being a bar goes though, it absolutely wins at that.

Even the toilets are gorgeous, I couldn’t get over them!

 

 

On sunny days, yes Edinburgh occasionally get them, there is a full terrace outside on the street level too.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom have both become firm favourites of mine, and are places I’d visit as part of any trip to Edinburgh, whether it be for drinks, food or both. They’re both so close to each other, and are in prime location for after a spot of shopping along George Street.

 

Rabble and Copper Blossom, Edinburgh

 

Of course Rose Street with all the old fashioned traditional pubs aren’t too far away either, but for something that little bit nicer I would 100% recommend either of these places.

 

Other posts you might like:

Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square

6 Reasons to Visit Edinburgh Christmas Market

A Weekend in Edinburgh for the 6 Nations

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  1. Rachael Stray

    13th August 2018 at 11:10 am

    I haven’t been to Edinburgh in ages but both of these places look like great places to try!

  2. Chloe - New Girl in Toon

    14th August 2018 at 7:07 am

    So close yet I’ve only been for one day trip in the five years that I’ve lived in the North – shocking because I love Edinburgh! Need to make it my mission to go, I’d love to stay over this time!

    Thanks for the beautiful bar recommendations, they both look lovely – saving this one for when we do eventually get round to making a plan!

    1. sfox

      14th August 2018 at 6:12 pm

      I think you would love Copper Blossom Chloe, its gorgeous!

  3. Sharon Sinclair-Williams

    14th August 2018 at 9:31 pm

    I’ve done both of these bars on previous visits. Pretty cool spots aren’t they? xo

  4. Gemma jamieson

    17th August 2018 at 7:18 pm

    Ohhh ive not been to Edinburgh for a while! Im always looking for places to eat and drink, the first restaurant looks lush! those prawns!!! YUM

  5. My Favourite Places to Eat and Drink from 2018 | Stephanie Fox Blog

    29th December 2018 at 10:05 am

    […] Has to be Rabble in Edinburgh. It’s only been open 2 years but we discovered it in March and loved it. The fillet is served on a giant hash brown and with a side of mac and cheese it’s literally making my mouth water thinking about it. I’ve had my fair share of steaks this year, being one of my favourite meals (sorry veggies), and this one was better than the rest, including Mr Porters at the W in Amsterdam , Miller & Carter, and even dare I say it Del Friscos, New York (although that whole experience is unbeatable). Read more about Rabble here.  […]

  6. A City Guide to York, England | Stephanie Fox Blog

    7th April 2019 at 6:31 am

    […] 2 Bars to Visit in Edinburgh – Rabble and Copper Blossom […]

  7. April 2019 Monthly Round Up | Stephanie Fox Blog

    2nd May 2019 at 6:37 am

    […] the difference, the sun was shining up in Scotland too! I need a proper trip up there soon, for a Rabble steak and Copper Blossom cocktail if nothing […]

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