Life through a rose-tinted lens

Roseleaf is, in many respects, an excellent little establishment. Quirky, retro and quaint, it has an intimate atmosphere which makes it both comfortable and exhilarating. Set on a backstreet near the Waterfront in Leith, its inoffensive choice of 70s and 80s music, cosy décor and an abundance of plants makes it a nice place to snuggle down for a couple of drinks with friends. A good mix of students and locals of all ages savouring Roseleaf's delights makes it comfortable and unpretentious, while the bar's unique selling point of cocktails served in teapots and dainty teacups is a pretty enticing one for those who love the eccentric or elegant. The fabulous brews that are on offer are both innovative and very, very drinkable, creating a humorous paradox between an air of sophistication amongst punters whilst simultaneously making that desirable state of mind impossible. I would particularly recommend the Pear Necessities (£4.50 or £9 for a teapot-for-two).

Local artwork hangs from the walls and the blackboards in the bathrooms all recommend an atmosphere of friendliness and familiarity. While this is true, and the setting certainly makes for an off-beat, relaxed night out, a few features did give cause for disappointment. Though doing credit to Roseleaf's popularity, the rooms are sadly too small to cope well with the many patrons, while the staff are far too busy to even attempt politeness. Although the natural charisma of Roseleaf goes some way to apologising for this, it is insufficient to leave one wholly satisfied by the experience.

Paradoxically the location carries the opposite problem, since due to its non-central location, reaching it is quite an undertaking. This being said, the bar's charm and originality certainly justifies a jaunt to the Edinburgh's far north, and the crowds are nothing to what one would encounter in most clubs. If you enjoy the more wacky and wonderful aspects of life, Roseleaf is a happy recommendation.