London and Edinburgh — A Girl's Guide to Drinking Alone

I recently got back from an incredible trip through the UK with my boyfriend. He’s also a bartender so we drank our way through London, the Cotswolds, York, Edinburgh, and finally, Inverness. It’s amazing to have a partner who’s also a great drinking buddy, but I did manage to get in some quality time with myself at two places: one cocktail bar in London and one classic pub in Edinburgh.

Swift, 12 Old Compton St, Soho, London, UK

The Place: A cocktail bar near our hotel in Soho with a relaxed upstairs and a swanky downstairs.

The Time: Sunday May 14, 7:30pm. Tom and I decided to meet in London because I was actually at a friend’s wedding in Italy over the weekend. (I didn’t get to drink alone there because the short schedule was packed with wedding festivities.) My travel day from Florence to London should’ve only been a few hours. Instead it was nearly 12, since the flight was not only delayed, but moved to a different airport (not a thing I knew could happen but apparently it can!). So instead of the relaxing day I was planning to have in London on my own, I ended up throwing my stuff in the hotel room, changing into something presentable and heading back out to a recommended cocktail bar close by, to get in at least one drink before Tom arrives.

The Vibe: I love this city so I already feel at peace on my way to Swift, even if the first person I pass is a drunk throwing up on the street. The upstairs is light, bright and casual; almost like an Italian aperitivo bar (not saying that because I was just in Italy, I swear). But the bar up here has no stools, so I ask the host if there’s a spot at the one downstairs. She checks, then ushers me down through the sexy, dimly lit room with live jazz, to the one available seat at the end of the bar. I don’t even have a drink in my hand yet and I feel amazing. The energy is so chill and chic, literally the opposite of an airport. It’s beautiful and elegant and I’m so happy.

The Bartender: There are two; they both wear aprons and definitely know what they’re doing. Ronan is the one who takes care of me. The menu is like the best adult picture book ever. It’s fully illustrated and all of their cocktails are inspired by a specific place and time. I spend quite a while just reading and admiring the menu. When the woman to my right sees I’m having choice paralysis, she walks me through all her favorite drinks. Her name is Emma, and she’s with her boyfriend, Cam, who happens to be a bartender here. The kindness of strangers in the know!

The Drank: First I get one of Emma’s top recs, the Shanghaied. It’s got green chile pisco, lime, almond and cucumber and is the exact pick-me-up I need. Then I order one of Cam’s originals, available only on Sundays. It’s a whiskey sour situation that’s refreshing and delicious. I would stay and drink my way through this whole menu if I could.

Was I Hit On?: If making a new friend is getting hit on, then hell yes. Emma and I chat the whole time and it’s only when I receive word from Tom that he’s on his way to the hotel do I begin to make moves. Before I go, Ronan hands me a baby Irish coffee, since he knows I’m tired and they apparently make one of the best in the city. I love it here.

Should You Drink Here Alone?: Uh, yeah!! Swift is an amazing place to chill by yourself, meet some great people and enjoy delicious cocktails. There are also two other Swifts in London: one in Shoreditch and another in Borough, so you can get your Swift on in several neighborhoods.

The Cambridge Bar, 20 Young St, New Town, Edinburgh, UK

*Stewart Brewing Pale Ale at The Cambridge Bar*

The Place: A pretty classic pub on a quiet side street in New Town.

The Time: Saturday May 20, 6:30pm. Tom wanted to get a beard trim (#men) before our dinner reservation so I decided to grab myself a pint. I find a pub around the corner, since pubs are what the UK does best.

The Vibe: If Google maps didn’t tell me that there was a bar here, I never would’ve walked down this sleepy street off a main road. It almost feels creepy because it’s so quiet, but once I step inside, it’s the opposite. One person who works here intercepts me at the door and points me to the only empty bar stool, of a total of three. The bar is in a room that’s designed to feel more like a den or library than a pub. There are leather couches, a fireplace, wooden tables and chairs, paintings on the walls with small lamps lighting them from above. But the pièce de résistance is a big projector screen above the fireplace, showing a clearly very important rugby match. Everyone (mostly men, mostly bald, all drinking beer) in this room is watching intently, including the bartenders. I know literally zero about rugby but I guess now is my chance to learn.

The Bartender: He pours my beer then goes back to watching the match.

The Drank: A pale ale from Stewart Brewing in Edinburgh. I make this very split decision because I don’t want to distract the bartender from the rugby, but it’s a good choice. One of my favorite things about drinking in the UK is that half pints (or “glasses”) are super common and that’s usually as much beer as I want to drink at any given time. But I forget to ask for a half pint so I’m presented with a full one. Oh well.

Was I Hit On?: No, even though I definitely feel like I’m blocking the screen, because of the location of the bar, so I fear someone might ask me to move or something. But just as I decide to watch the match, one of the teams wins. I don’t think it’s who everyone was hoping for because there’s no cheering. The bartender mutters under his breath, “son of a bitch, by a punt.” Luckily Tom soon arrives, helps me finish my beer and we head out.

Should You Drink Here Alone?: You could. The Cambridge Bar is a nice pub and definitely not touristy, which can be a challenge to find. And if you’re a rugby fan, I think you’ll feel right at home.