56 North is well known for specialising in the increasingly popular 'mothers' ruin'. This is a style-bar-with-kitchen that offers gin masterclasses, has a list of the spirit that runs to several pages and even opens its car park as a gin garden in August, in association with Tanqueray. You can even select from a dozen tonics or mixers and 14 separate garnishes.
And gin aside, its food is a cut above pub average with quality steaks and gourmet burgers starring on the menu. The latter come as 8oz Scottish steak mince burgers, and also chicken or veggie – all with a choice of styles. There is a Scottish option dubbed the Stornoway (with apple compote, black pudding and haggis), a simple Classic (with cheddar, chutney and pickle) and a rather intense but tempting effort called the Derby (with blue cheese, jalapeño and smoked bacon).
A succession of style bars have occupied this site over the years, next to the University of Edinburgh’s main campus; 56 North itself has been around since 2008. Currently it’s ideal for sipping on a quality G&T (Rock Rose gin from Caithness with Fever-Tree tonic perhaps), while waiting for your burger.