REVIEW : Camera Cocktail Bar, Edinburgh

You can ring my bell, ring my bell! The only song I want to sing when entering the all new speakeasy, Camera in Newington. It does come with its own bell so who can resist even if you aren’t an Anita Ward fan.

You will recognise the space, it use to be the event space for Diablo Loco, a year or so ago; before Sonder took it over and converted this space into a hidden bar.

The make over of the space is lovely. It’s gone from dark and dingy to atmospheric, spacious and quite romantic. The colour scheme is muted but with a lovely mixture of table and chairs seating, to stools and comfortable sofa type seating.

It has a maximum capacity of around 30-35 people and when it’s full the staff are happy to tell you so and ask you to come back later. I like this. It means that the space never gets cramped or overcrowded and those that are already there can thoroughly enjoy their experience.

Well hidden speakeasy Camera serves up great cocktails

Camera has lovely selection of beers and wines but it’s really the cocktails you want to be coming here for.

Classic cocktails will always be available but Camera focus on using local ingredients and creativity, experimenting with tastes, textures and smells. They have the Market Menu, which is a range of cocktails that continuously pushes the boundaries of what a cocktail should be and evokes memories. On the night, cocktails with names of Grass, Smoked Berries and Lime where on the blackboard menu.

From the cocktail menu :

Cocktail Number 3. Old Tom Gin, Lemongrass, Grapefruit and Sparkling Wine. A great way to kick off the night. Tangy bursting with citrus flavours but nice n fizzy like a fruit Prosecco.

Cocktail Number 2 – Spiced Rum, Pineapple and Anise. A touch like an Old Fashioned but with rum. Boozy, rich and sweet.

From the market menu:

(B)ananas – Jamaican Rum, Mezcal, Coconut and Pineapple. I loved this. It was like a Yop Yoghurt, thick and creamy but packed a rum punch. The coconut and the tequila most certainly shone through.

Cocktail Number 1 – Aelder Elixir, Apple and Thyme Liqueur. Thoroughly delicious and agree with the staff that it tastes like Robinsons diluting juice. Tangy, fruity and more-ish.

We also got to try one of the new cocktails about to make it onto the Market Menu – Liquorice Allsorts. Believe me, this is liquid liquorice allsorts – perhaps more the soft squiggey one with all the hundreds and thousands on it, but wow, this will take you back to when you were 10!

A hidden gem that is soon to be exposed and hidden no longer. A fantastic night where you can genuinely chill out, relax, chat and enjoy with mates or loved ones. The staff are knowledgable, engaging and passionate about what they do.

It’s one bell you should definitely be ringing.

Camera, 74-78 Clerk Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9PT.

Tel : 0131 667 7032 www.facebook.com/CameraEdinburgh/

My Spoon Award : Gold Spoon 9/10



I was invited by Camera Bar to review their cocktail menu. Drinks were complimentary but the views are very much my own.