West Nic Records

You'll walk in expecting crates of obscure records and leave three hours later with a gin and tonic in hand, debating the merits of 1970s funk with someone you've just met. West Nic Records pulls off that rare trick of feeling genuinely unpretentious whilst being genuinely good at what it does. The Southside location gives it that slightly removed, local-knows-local energy — far enough from the tourist crush of the city centre but close enough to the university that there's always an interesting crowd drifting through. The drinks are properly made, the music policy is thoughtful rather than shouty, and there's something rather lovely about browsing vinyl while nursing a well-constructed cocktail.