Heads & Tales is a basement cocktail bar at 1A Rutland Street in central Edinburgh. Tucked between neighbouring venue entrances, it has the feel of a hidden room rather than a street front restaurant. Two Edinburgh Gin stills, Flora and Caledonia, are visible inside and connect the bar directly with the city’s distilling culture.
Food is structured around small plates and toasties that complement drinks without requiring a formal dinner. Halloumi fries, macaroni cheese bites, loaded fries and tacos bring rich, strongly flavoured options for sharing. Toasted sandwiches use combinations such as triple cheese, ham and mustard, or mortadella with provolone.
The compact menu makes it easy to order a few plates for the table or add something warm during a longer cocktail visit. Vegetarian choices are represented across fried snacks, dips and toasties. Guests with allergies should confirm the current menu with staff because cheese, bread, frying oil, sauces and garnishes can introduce several common allergens.
Gin is the main drinks focus, supported by original cocktails, flights, wine, beer and alcohol free choices. Bartenders can guide guests through different botanical profiles or suggest a drink based on preferred flavours. Heads & Tales is best suited to diners who want imaginative drinks and a concise food menu in an intimate late night setting.
Address: 1A Rutland Street, Edinburgh EH1 2AD, United Kingdom
Heads & Tales Bar Menu
Small Plates
Enjoy 3 for £25!
HALLOUMI FRIES
Pineapple & chilli jam, yoghurt, chilli flakes, coriander. V
MAC & CHEESE BITES
Saffron aioli, chives. V
HIGHLANDER LOADED FRIES
Haggis, whisky peppercorn sauce, chives.
CREAMED CORN DIP
Warm tortilla chips, grilled jalapenos, sriracha, salsa. V, NGC*
GRILLED PADRON PEPPERS
Whipped goats cheese, chimichurri, coriander. V, VG*, NGC
BEEF WELLINGTON TACOS
Beef brisket, puff pastry, dijon mayo, pickled mushrooms, crispy ham.
CRISPY MONKFISH TACOS
Guacamole, pico de gallo, sriracha, coriander, lime.
FRIED HALLOUMI TACOS
Guacamole, pico de gallo, sriracha, coriander, lime. V
LOUISIANNA PORK RIB
BBQ maple sauce, crispy shallots, green onions.
Toasties
MEXICAN
Beef chilli & mozzarella.
TRIPLE CHEESE
Monterey Jack, smoked applewood, mozzarella. V
HAM & MUSTARD
Honey roast ham, Monterey Jack, American mustard.
ITALIAN
Mortadella, provolone, nut-free pesto.
Gins – Aromatic
EDINBURGH GIN CANNONBALL
57.2% | EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Lemon; KEY BOTANICALS: Szechuan Pepper, Lemon Peel
SUNTORY ROKU
43% | JAPAN; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Ginger; KEY BOTANICALS: Gyokuro Tea, Sakura Flower, Sakura Leaf, Sancho Pepper
Gins – Seaside
EDINBURGH GIN SEASIDE
43% | EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Elderflower Tonic; GARNISH: Grapefruit & Thyme; KEY BOTANICALS: Seaweed
SHETLAND REEL OCEAN SENT
49% | SHETLAND, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Apple; KEY BOTANICALS: Coriander Seed, Orris Root, Cassia Bark, Citrus Peel, Apple Mint
Gins – Citric
CAORUNN BLOOD ORANGE
41.8% | CAIRNGORMS, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Orange; KEY BOTANICALS: Bog Myrtle, Dandelion, Heather, Red Apple, Blood Orange, Chilli
EDEN MILL
42% | ST. ANDREWS, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Grapefruit; KEY BOTANICALS: Citrus Peel, Cranberry, Lemon Peel, Sea Buckthorn
LONDON NO.3
46% | LONDON, ENGLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Lemon; KEY BOTANICALS: Cardamom, Grapefruit, Lavender, Pine Needles
MALFY CON ARANCIA
41% | MONCALIERI, ITALY; TONIC: Light Tonic; GARNISH: Orange; KEY BOTANICALS: Sicilian Blood Orange, Italian Lemons, Grapefruit, Angelica Root
MALFY ROSA
41% | MONCALIERI, ITALY; TONIC: Light Tonic; GARNISH: Grapefruit & Rosemary; KEY BOTANICALS: Sicilian Pink Grapefruit, Italian Lemons, Orange, Angelica Root
OXLEY
47% | LONDON, ENGLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Cucumber & Cracked Black Pepper; KEY BOTANICALS: Coriander Seed, Vanilla, Meadowsweet, Cocoa Nib
SECRET GARDEN LEMON VERBENA
40% | EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Light Tonic; GARNISH: Lemon; KEY BOTANICALS: Lemon Verbena, Lemon Thyme, Coriander, Angelica Root
SHETLAND REEL
43% | SHETLAND, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Grapefruit & Mint; KEY BOTANICALS: Apple Mint, Coriander Seeds, Orris Root, Cinnamon, Citrus Peel
TANQUERAY
43.1% | LONDON, ENGLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Lime; KEY BOTANICALS: Coriander, Angelica Root, Liquorice, Bittersweet Seville Orange
TANQUERAY FLOR DE SEVILLA
41.3% | LONDON, ENGLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Orange; KEY BOTANICALS: Angelica, Coriander, Liquorice, Orange
TANQUERAY NO 10
47.3% | LONDON, ENGLAND; TONIC: Mediterranean Tonic; GARNISH: Grapefruit; KEY BOTANICALS: Fresh Orange Peel, Fresh Lime, Fresh Grapefruit Peel, Camomile
TANQUERAY RANGPUR
41.3% | LONDON, ENGLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Lime; KEY BOTANICALS: Rangpur Lime, Ginger, Bay
WHITLEY NEILL
43% | BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Orange; KEY BOTANICALS: Baobab Fruit, Cape Gooseberries, Lemon Peel, Sweet Orange Peel
Gins – Dry
CAORUNN
41.8% | CAIRNGORMS, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Red Apple; KEY BOTANICALS: Bog Myrtle, Dandelion, Heather, Red Apple, Rowan Berry
EDINBURGH GIN
43% | EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Orange; KEY BOTANICALS: Coriander, Heather, Lemongrass, Pine Needles
FORD’S GIN
45% | LONDON, ENGLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Grapefruit; KEY BOTANICALS: Grapefruit Peel, Jasmine, Angelica, Lemon Peel
HAYMAN’S LONDON DRY
40% | LONDON, ENGLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Lemon; KEY BOTANICALS: Cinnamon, Coriander seeds, Nutmeg
HENDRICKS
41.4% | GIRVAN, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Cucumber; KEY BOTANICALS: Chamomile, Elderflower, Lemon Peel, Orange Peel, Caraway
LIND & LIME
44% | EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Light Tonic; GARNISH: Lime; KEY BOTANICALS: Pink Peppercorn, Coriander, Lime Peel, Angelica Root, Orris Root
MALFY
41% | MONCALIERI, ITALY; TONIC: Light Tonic; GARNISH: Lemon; KEY BOTANICALS: Italian Lemons, Orange, Grapefruit, Angelica Root, Liquorice
NIKKA COFFEY
47% | JAPAN; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Lime Peel; KEY BOTANICALS: Amanatsu, Yuzu, Sansho Pepper, Coriander, Citrus Peel
PICKERING’S
42% | EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Grapefruit; KEY BOTANICALS: Coriander, Anise, Angelica, Cardamom, Clove, Fennel
PLYMOUTH
41.2% | PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Lemon; KEY BOTANICALS: Lemon Peel, Sweet Orange Peel, Angelica Root, Cardamom
PORTOBELLO ROAD
42% | LONDON, ENGLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Grapefruit Zest; KEY BOTANICALS: Lemon Peel, Bitter Orange Peel, Coriander Seed, Cassia Bark
SIPSMITH
41.6% | LONDON, ENGLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Lime; KEY BOTANICALS: Angelica Root, Liquorice Root, Almond, Seville Orange Peel
Gins – Flavoured
PUERTO DE INDIAS STRAWBERRY
37.5% | CARMONA, SEVILLE; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Strawberries; KEY BOTANICALS: Strawberry, Juniper, Lemon
WHITLEY NEILL BLACKBERRY
43% | BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Lemon; KEY BOTANICALS: Coriander Seed, Cassia Bark, Orris Root, Angelica Root, Liquorice
WHITLEY NEILL BLOOD ORANGE
43% | BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Orange & Mint; KEY BOTANICALS: Coriander Seed, Cassia Bark, Orris Root, Angelica Root, Liquorice
WHITLEY NEILL RHUBARB & GINGER
43% | BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Ginger; KEY BOTANICALS: Coriander Seed, Cassia Bark, Orris Root, Angelica Root, Liquorice
Gins – Floral
ADNAM’S COPPER HOUSE
40% | SOUTHWOLD, ENGLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Orange; KEY BOTANICALS: Malted Barley, Orange Zest, Lemon and Hibiscus
ARBIKIE KIRSTY’S GIN
43% | ANGUS, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Lemon; KEY BOTANICALS: Blueberries, Kelp, Thistle
BLACKWOODS
60% | SHETLAND, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Apple & Mint; KEY BOTANICALS: Citric, Violets, Turmeric
DARNLEY’S VIEW
40% | KINGSBARNS, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Elderflower Tonic; GARNISH: Lemon; KEY BOTANICALS: Clove, Cumin, Elderflower, Grains of Paradise
DOROTHY PARKER
44% | NEW YORK, USA; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Apple; KEY BOTANICALS: Cardamom, Cinnamon, Elderberry, Hibiscus, Juniper, Lemon
EDEN MILL LOVE
40% | ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Strawberry; KEY BOTANICALS: Rose, Angelica, Goji Berries, Raspberry
HENDRICKS FLORA ADORA
43.4% | GIRVAN, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Cucumber & Mint; KEY BOTANICALS: Rose Petals, Chamomile, Elderflower, Lemon Peel, Orange Peel
MONKEY 47
47% | LOSSBURG, GERMANY; TONIC: Mediterranean Tonic; GARNISH: Grapefruit & Rosemary; KEY BOTANICALS: Acacia Flowers, Cubeb Berry, Hibiscus, Lingonberries
PUERTO DE INDIAS
40% | ANDALUSIA, SPAIN; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Lime; KEY BOTANICALS: Coriander Seed, Lime, Lemon Zest, Grapefruit, Orange
ROCK ROSE
41.3% | CAITHNESS, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Orange & Rosemary; KEY BOTANICALS: Rhodiola Rosea, Sea Buckthorn, Rowan Berries
SECRET GARDEN ELDERFLOWER & JASMINE
40% | EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Light Tonic; GARNISH: Grapefruit; KEY BOTANICALS: Elderflower, Jasmine, Coriander, Angelica Root, Winter Savoury
SECRET GARDEN ROSE
40% | EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Light Tonic; GARNISH: Raspberry & Mint; KEY BOTANICALS: Apothecary Rose, Coriander, Angelica Root, Winter Savoury
Gins – Fruity & Sweet
BROCKMANS
40% | ENGLAND; TONIC: Ginger Ale; GARNISH: Blackberries; KEY BOTANICALS: Almond, Blackberries, Blueberries
CAORUNN RASPBERRY
41.8% | CAIRNGORMS, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Raspberries & Red Apple; KEY BOTANICALS: Bog Myrtle, Dandelion, Heather, Red Apple, Rowan Berry
FOUR PILLARS BLOODY SHIRAZ
37.8% | YARRA VALLEY, AUSTRALIA; TONIC: Lemon Tonic; GARNISH: Lemon; KEY BOTANICALS: Shiraz Grapes. Cinnamon. Cardamom. Tasmanian Pepper.
HILLS & HARBOUR BURNT ORANGE & SMOKED PINEAPPLE
40% | NEWTON STEWART, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Orange; KEY BOTANICALS: Smoked Pineapple, Torched Orange, Bladderwrack Seaweed
PORTER’S TROPICAL OLD TOM
40% | ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Pineapple; KEY BOTANICALS: Passionfruit, Guava, White Tea
Gins – Herbaceous
THE BOTANIST
46% | ISLAY, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Elderflower Tonic; GARNISH: Grapefruit &Rosemary; KEY BOTANICALS: Heather, Clover, Thistle, Wood Sage
GIN MARE
42.7% | BARCELONA, SPAIN; TONIC: Mediterranean Tonic; GARNISH: Rosemary; KEY BOTANICALS: Basil, Rosemary, Thyme, Olives
HENDRICKS NEPTUNIA
43.4% | GIRVAN, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Mediterranean Tonic; GARNISH: Cucumber & Rosemary; KEY BOTANICALS: Dandelion, Sweet Woodruff, Wood Havens, Bog Myrtle
SECRET GARDEN WILD GIN
40% | EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Light Tonic; GARNISH: Rosemary; KEY BOTANICALS: Dandelion, Sweet Woodruff, Bog Myrtle, Scotts Lovage, Nettle
Gins – Spiced
AVIATION
42% | PORTLAND, OREGON, USA; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Orange; KEY BOTANICALS: Szechuan Pepper, Lavender, Sarsaparilla Root
ELECTRIC SPIRIT CO: ACHROOUS
41% | DEANSTON, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Grapefruit; KEY BOTANICALS: Szechuan Pepper. Fennel Seed. Coriander Seed
PICKERING’S 1947
42% | EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND; TONIC: Indian Tonic; GARNISH: Lime; KEY BOTANICALS: Cinnamon, Coriander, Anise, Angelica, Cardamom, Clove, Fennel
White Wine
CRESCENDO, PINOT GRIGIO
CURIOUS KIWI, SAUVIGNON BLANC
Red Wine
CROOKED MICK, SHIRAZ
SENSALE, NERO D’AVOLA
Fizz
BAROCCO PROSECCO
PIAFF BRUT NV
Beer & Cider – Draught
COLD TOWN LAGER
Lager, Edinburgh | 4.0%
GUINNESS
Stout, Ireland | 4.2%
Beer & Cider – Bottles & Cans
COLD TOWN LAGER
Lager, Edinburgh | 4%
COLD TOWN BALTIC
IPA, Edinburgh | 5.3%
BEAVERTOWN NECK OIL
IPA, London | 4.3%
CORONA
Lager, Mexico | 4.5%
Beer & Cider – Cider
HOOCH
Hard Lemonade, The 1990’s | 4%
THISTLY CROSS
Cider, Scotland | 4.4%
OLD MOUT CIDER
4.0%
Beer & Cider – Alcohol-Free
COLD TOWN AF LAGER
Edinburgh | 0.5%
COLD TOWN AF IPA
Edinburgh | 0.5%
GUINNESS O.0
Ireland | 0.0%
CHANCE CIDER
England | 0.5%
Cocktails
YUZU MARG
Juicy, Citrusy, Herbaceous
FLUFFY PINK ONE
Sweet, Floral, Silky
ROYALE MULE
Bubbly, Fruity, Spiced
STRAWBERRIES & CREAM
Creamy, Smooth, Sharp
THE BEES’ KNEES
Rich, Nectareous, Velvety
MRS COLLINS
Effervescent, Tart, Refreshing
BLOOD ORANGE NEGRONI
Bitter, Zingy, Viscous
DELICIOUS SPRITZ
Effervescent, Bright, Crisp
EAST 8 HIDEAWAY
Tropical, Fresh, Fruity
ACROSS THE POND
Bold, Vibrant, Sweet