Elsa's Bar in the Scottish Highlands Is One of the World's Best Cocktail Destinations in 2024

"Housed in the famed Fife Arms hotel in Braemar at the heart of Cairngorms National Park, about a three-hour drive north of Edinburgh, this intimate cocktail bar blends Victorian architectural details with contemporary touches inspired by fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli — muted pinks, suede chairs, waterfall-like light fixtures, and a massive disco ball lend both historic charm and playful metropolitan flair. A 2018 renovation restored the property and positioned the bar as a destination within a Highlands region known for roughly 140 distilleries, and the hotel complements it with luxury amenities including a whisky library stocked with hundreds of rare bottles and catered picnics. Cocktails emphasize Scottish spirits with house-made infusions, liqueurs, and bitters, and the team is known for boundary-pushing creations such as the Skeleton Dress (bone marrow–infused Hennessy VS with miso cream, cacao blanc, and a dark chocolate tuile), all delivered with top‑notch, lingering hospitality. Seating is very limited — two at the bar and only around a dozen in total — encouraging guests to spend a few hours savoring highly crafted drinks rather than popping in for a quick one." - Sean Flynn