Ness & Thistle

You're stepping off the train or walking down Academy Street and you want a drink that doesn't feel like an afterthought. Ness & Thistle gets it—this is a bar that's actually invested in what's behind the counter and what's coming out of the kitchen. The location next to the railway station could've been throwaway, but instead they've created something that feels like a proper local spot, not a transport hub pitstop. The food menu suggests they're thinking beyond pints and crisps, and the 3.8 rating across 52 reviews suggests enough people are bothering to come back for a reason.