The Blackbird glow-up hits high notes in Tollcross

Edinburgh’s neighbourhood bar The Blackbird has unveiled a £100,000 glow‑up just as The King’s Theatre re‑opens across the road in Tollcross. The cocktail bar, kitchen and beer garden have all been refreshed, and the exterior now stands out in glossy burnt orange, with the blackbird graphic and signage sitting in sharp, striking relief.

We visited on a Thursday evening to see what all the fuss was about, and it more than delivered. The Blackbird has always been a friendly, polished bar, but Liz and I were particularly impressed by the food and cocktails we sampled. We were seated on one of the new banquettes in the dining area with pop‑art touches, which made for a bright, inviting spot to settle in. 

Liz had already visited earlier in the week and recommended the 7PM in Palermo, made with Rémy Martin VSOP, Averna Amaro, pineapple, Sicilian lemonade, Peychaud’s bitters and cacao bitters. Tempting, but we decided to explore further. I ordered A Kind of Blue, a beautifully balanced mix of The Botanist Gin, St‑Germain, lemon, blueberry, basil and lemon foam.  Liz chose the Cherry Swizzle, a rich and aromatic blend of Bacardi 4yo, Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva, cherry, cacao and vanilla. The cocktails are well executed, creative and good value. 

• 

• 

• 

We were there to eat too, and ordered three small plates and one main, quickly realising it was far too much food. Portions are generous and flavours are bold. My Monk Cheek Scampi with green olive tartare was chunky, robust and excellent, with a tangy tartare that lifted the whole dish. A lemon wedge would enhance it even further, but it still earns a solid 9 out of 10. It was so filling that I had to ask for a doggy bag for the Blackbird’s Caesar, made with chicken breast, bacon, anchovies, romaine, parmesan, croutons and house dressing. I ate it the next day and loved the long, lean, mouth-puckering anchovies, the large pieces of chicken and the crisp, boat‑shaped leaves.

Liz ordered the Confit Duck with mango, watercress and maraschino cherries. The meat was rich but shredded, making it easy to eat, and the sweet, sharp, refreshing combination worked beautifully. We also tried the Coconut Fried Chicken with spiced peanut butter, which was moreishly Malaysian with sweet, nutty, fiery flavours. 

• 

• 

• 

I finished my evening on a particularly high note with the Daisy Chainsaw: Hendricks, Gin Mare, Cucielo dry vermouth, honey, clementine, sage, aquafaba. I do have a preference for egg whites rather than AF but this was still a beautiful drink that reminded me of lemon (citrus) meringue pie.

The food and cocktails are very well‑priced, making The Blackbird an affordable and appealing alternative to a restaurant visit in these cost‑of‑living times. I’m already planning a return trip for the House Frozen Martini. If you’re heading to The King’s or the Cameo, The Blackbird is an excellent choice to factor in.

Related content: Bars and Bar Food

The Blackbird: 37–39 Leven Street, Edinburgh, and is open seven days a week from 12pm until late.

The Beer Garden and Terrace