Café Voltaire

The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.

Combining Old Town cellar with deliberately worn industrial touches, this is one of the city centre’s better looking bars. Coombed stones walls and low lighting make for an atmospherically louche hangout slightly at odds with the pumping bass on the sound system – although in fairness the music is generally pretty good and at a level that provides pre-club atmosphere without drowning conversation. Cocktails are of the student party variety, as epitomised by a Cowgate Stumbler incorporating no less than four types of rum. Similarly there is Red Stripe on tap and Pabst Blue Ribbon in bottles to keep the hipster kids happy, alongside a couple of decent beers for the grown-ups. Good-sized bookable booths and freshly made pizzas served right up until closing time (with regular 2-for-1 offers before 8pm) make this a useful all-night venue, especially for larger groups.

• High point: Attractive and relaxed space …
• Low point: … which is at odds with the choice of drinks and some of the punters