Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa

You're perched right on the water's edge here, watching the Tay Bridge lights twinkle while nursing a proper martini. The bar team knows their way around classic cocktails and aren't shy about showcasing local spirits – their gin selection leans heavily on Scottish distilleries, which feels right when you're this close to the water. The setting does most of the heavy lifting: floor-to-ceiling windows frame the estuary beautifully, especially during golden hour when the light bounces off the water. It's polished without being stuffy, the kind of place where you can settle in for serious drinks whether you're staying upstairs or just escaped the city centre for something more refined.