Farrands Bar

You'll find this compact cocktail bar tucked along Swinegate, where the team actually knows what they're doing behind the stick. The menu changes regularly but expect classic cocktails executed properly alongside more inventive serves that don't sacrifice taste for Instagram appeal. The space feels properly intimate without being cramped, and the staff genuinely care about what you're drinking rather than rushing you through. It's the sort of place where you can actually have a conversation without shouting over terrible music, and where a well-made Negroni doesn't cost you a small mortgage. The Tuesday-to-Sunday opening hours mean they're serious about this being a destination rather than just another city centre drinking hole.