There’s something new beneath The Rutland. Understory is our brand-new underground cocktail bar, hidden within the historic vaults below the hotel in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End.

Serving great drinks, great food and even better nights out, it’s the perfect new spot to head downstairs and settle in for the evening.

Cocktails without the fuss

At the heart of Understory is a seriously impressive cocktail programme led by renowned Edinburgh bartender Sam Baxendale, who brings more than two decades of experience, including five years in charge of Bramble.

Understory has its own drinks lab, where many ingredients are created from scratch. The opening collection, Batch 01: Halcyon Days, takes inspiration from British childhood nostalgia, penny sweets and memories of long-forgotten summers.

Alongside the cocktails, there’s a playful selection of small plates and bar snacks made for sharing, including beef tartare and caviar with crisps, BBQ corn ribs and chicken tenders with Champagne.

With historic stone vaults, bold interiors and a relaxed approach to seriously good drinks, Understory brings a whole new reason to stay late at The Rutland.

Staying with us? Head downstairs and discover Understory, or find out more below.