Smoke & Mirrors

A friendly local bar with a mellow vibe and a planet-friendly ethos.

The 2019/20 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

Smoke and Mirrors is a wee bar with a big heart. Sweep aside the velvet curtain and you’ll find ambient lighting, comfy mismatched furniture, psychedelic art and a warm welcome. You couldn’t be further from the bright gleam of a city centre cocktail bar, but the drinks are just as good (if not better). There’s a really friendly vibe, with clientele as diverse as Leith itself – old-timers from the bar’s Alan Breck days still perch happily at the bar. Beers are local and there’s a small but lovingly chosen wine list with a delicious selection of organic and biodynamic wines, most of which are available by the glass. Food is very limited (mainly stromboli) which allows staff to focus on the seasonally changing cocktails, which all highlight local spirits and mixers and show a real level of care. No illusions here, this is a magic local pub.