Amethyst Bar by X MUSE: A Spirited Pop-Up on the Royal Mile
This August, Edinburgh’s iconic Royal Mile has a dazzling new addition: the Amethyst Bar by X MUSE Vodka, a three-week pop-up blending contemporary art, mixology, and cultural connection. Running from 6–23 August 2025 (closed Mondays), this immersive experience is part of the Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF), the UK’s largest annual celebration of visual art.
Where Art Meets Spirit
Hosted at the French Institute, the Amethyst Bar is more than just a place to grab a drink. It’s a creative hub, a modern-day agora (inspired by this year’s EAF theme), where artists, curators, and festival-goers can gather, reflect, and raise a glass to the power of artistic expression.
X MUSE (pronounced “tenth muse”) is the world’s first blended barley vodka, crafted with two heritage varieties, the Maris Otter and Plumage Archer and pure water from an ancient aquifer beneath Bonnington Estate, home to the stunning Jupiter Artland. It’s a spirit born of Scotland’s land and legacy, and the Amethyst Bar brings that story to life.
A Day of Art, Cocktails & Connection: My Pre-Launch Experience
Before the doors officially opened, I had the joy of attending a pre-launch celebration at the Amethyst Bar to toast X MUSE’s latest artistic adventure. We were welcomed with two signature serves: the Scots Pine and the Star/Must/Ster (Star Must Steer) cocktails, each as poetic and punchy as their names suggest.
Bespoke Cocktails Inspired by Jupiter Artland
Each cocktail on the menu is a tribute to the artworks nestled within Jupiter Artland’s grounds. Created by some of Edinburgh’s most talented bartenders, the drinks draw inspiration from pieces like:
Cells of Life by Charles Jencks
Star/Steer by Ian Hamilton Finlay
The Light Pours Out Of Me by Anya Gallacio
Cafe Party by Nicolas Party
Whether you're sipping a cocktail or enjoying a neat tasting of X MUSE’s distinct barley blends, every serve is a sensory journey through art and spirit.
The Amethyst Installation
At the heart of the bar is a striking amethyst installation, curated by X MUSE co-founder Vadim Grigoryan. It’s part artwork, part altar, an invitation to pause, connect, and soak in the festival’s energy. The installation pays homage to Gallacio’s “The Light Pours Out Of Me,” a piece that also inspired X MUSE’s production process.
Grigoryan describes the bar as a manifestation of “Art Thinking”, a philosophy he explores in his book. “X MUSE has art at its DNA,” he says. “Our partnership with EAF is a natural continuation of our belief in the transformational power of art.”
Amethyst Bar Details
Whether you're a cocktail lover, an art enthusiast, or just looking for a unique spot to unwind during festival season, the Amethyst Bar offers a one-of-a-kind experience. With its outdoor terrace, curated drinks, and artistic ambiance, it’s the perfect place to sip, savour, and celebrate Edinburgh’s creative spirit.
Location: French Institute, Royal Mile, Edinburgh
Dates: 6–23 August 2025 (closed Mondays)
Opening Hours: 2pm–10pm daily
In partnership with: Edinburgh Art Festival
Lunch at Nàdair - continuing the X Muse philosophy
From there, we wandered to Nàdair, one of Edinburgh’s most serene dining spots, for a lunch that was nothing short of magical. Nàdair is a restaurant that speaks the same language as X MUSE Vodka, one of reverence for the land, a passion for provenance, and a belief in the artistry of nature. With a name that means “nature” in Gaelic, Nàdair’s philosophy is rooted in foraging, seasonality, and locally sourced Scottish ingredients. It’s a perfect pairing with X MUSE, whose vodka is crafted from heritage barleys and pure aquifer water. Together, they create a culinary and cultural dialogue that honours Scotland’s wild beauty and creative spirit.
Our bespoke lunch at Nàdair was a masterclass in flavour and finesse. We began with thick-cut wheaten bread, dense and utterly scrumptious, paired with smoked butter and a bowl of tomato and wild oregano, finished with a delicate tomato consommé, a vibrant, herbaceous start that set the tone.
Next came trout with spruce, Granny Smith apple, and sorrel. The apple was a stroke of genius, adding a bright, tangy lift to the earthy trout and foresty spruce. Then, a dish of pork with willowherb, cucumber, and sea aster, beautifully cooked and sourced locally, it was a celebration of land and sea.
The standout? Isle of Mull cheddar beignets with truffle honey. Light, fluffy, and outrageously moreish, they were like cheesy clouds kissed with sweetness. I could’ve happily devoured ten!
Dessert was a rich finale: 70% chocolate with wild mint and crème fraîche sorbet, balancing depth with a cool herbal twist.
To bookend the experience, we were welcomed with a Wild X MUSE Martini, crisp, clean, and botanical and closed with a Sweet Cicely X MUSE Limoncello, a glass of liquid poetry that captured the essence of the Scottish landscape.
This lunch fuelled us for an afternoon of drinking in just some of what’s on offer at the Edinburgh Art Festival.
The afternoon was a whirlwind of visual inspiration, with stops at some of the city’s most compelling exhibitions:
Aubrey Levinthal at Ingleby Gallery - @inglebygallery
Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years at the Royal Scottish Academy - @nationalgalleriesscot
Wael Shawky at Talbot Rice Gallery - @talbotricegallery
The day drew to an end at the Royal Botanic Garden, where Linder: A Kind of Glamour About Me delivered a powerful performance as part of EAF 2025. Naturally, the evening ended with one last round of X MUSE cocktails because why not finish as fabulously as we started?
The Edinburgh Art Festival 2025 is a visual feast across the city. Running from 7–24 August, the Edinburgh Art Festival marks its 21st edition with a record-breaking 82 exhibitions across 45 venues, making it the largest visual arts celebration in the UK. The vast majority of events and exhibitions are free to attend, including performances, screenings, artist talks, and guided tours ensuring accessibility for all. This year’s programme spans everything from classical myths to queer history, with works showcased in both traditional galleries and unexpected urban corners.
Whether you're a cocktail aficionado, an art lover, or simply seeking a unique spot to unwind during festival season, the Amethyst Bar by X MUSE is a must-visit. With its poetic serves, sculptural ambiance, and deep ties to Scotland’s artistic heritage, it’s more than a bar, it’s a celebration of land, legacy, and imagination. Plan your visit, explore the exhibitions, and raise a glass to the tenth muse. For full festival details, head to edinburghartfestival.com and make the Amethyst Bar your first stop.
TartanSpoon is an Award-winning blog that brings you reviews and recommendations on the very best places to eat, drink and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.
Adele is a writer, reviewer and judge living in Edinburgh. She sits on the Committee for the Guild of Food Writers (Scottish Events), is a Great Taste Judge for the Guild of Fine Food, Scottish Bakers, Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards and a Judge for the Gin Co-operative awards. Should you wish to work with, invite or collaborate with TartanSpoon, please email tartanspoon@yahoo.co.uk
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