Inverness is known as the center of culture of the Scottish Highlands and offers a good variety of things do and enjoy even after dark. Head out and visit premier whiskey and cocktail bars to sample the finest varieties of the Scottish national drink or hit the live music venues to dance the night away to the tunes of the local bands and musicians. You can also head over to lakeside inns and riverside bars to enjoy breath-taking views to go with your drink.
Continue your city adventures even long after the sun has set with our guide to the best things to do after dinner in Inverness.
- 1
Hootananny
For a night of fine Scottish spirits and great music
- Nightlife
Hootananny offers an excellent choice of malt whiskeys – over 100 of them, in fact – and other Scottish spirits, as well as great music to pair with your beverages. A renowned venue for promoting grassroots musicians, this award-winning pub has seen the likes of Mumford and Son and Little Boots gracing its stage.
Hootananny occupies an old Victorian Inverness sweetshop on Church Street. The downstairs is for Celtic rock and Scottish ceilidh, both traditional and fusion, the upstairs’ Madhatters stage is for up-and-coming artists, and the top floor’s Glow bar has DJs playing music for patrons to enjoy.
Location: 67 Church St, Inverness IV1 1ES, UK
Open: Monday–Thursday from noon to 1 am, Friday–Saturday from noon to 3 am, Sunday from 4 pm to midnight
Phone: +44 (0)1463 233651
Mapphoto by Ian S (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
- 2
The Dores Inn
A cozy pub to relax and unwind in
- Food
- Nightlife
Situated at the shore of Loch Ness, The Dores Inn offers outdoor tables with beautiful, sweeping views to go with your food and beverages. In contrast, it's cozy and quiet inside, which is great if you're in a contemplative mood in the evening.
This family-run pub serves generous portions of delicious and homecooked meals, so generous that the appetizers could easily be the mains. The Dores Inn also has a wide choice of wines and ales to go with your tasty pub grub. The staff is friendly, and you can easily ask them for recommendations.
Location: B862, Dores, Inverness IV2 6TR, UK
Open: Wednesday–Thursday and Sunday from noon to 8 pm, Friday–Saturday from noon to 9 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Phone: +44 (0)1463 751203
Mapphoto by Zenit (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
- 3
Black Isle Bar
For fine craft beers and a great view of Inverness
- Food
- Nightlife
Black Isle Bar is the place to go if you’re looking to kick back and unwind after a long day in Inverness. The city’s first craft beer bar offers around 26 tap options and 80 bottled choices. A must-try is its very own organic beer.
Black Isle Bar also serves tasty pizzas, all handmade and wood-fired, as well as salads, sides, and a delicious board of Greene’s organic charcuterie to enjoy with your beverages. Top it all off with a splendid view of the city by snagging a seat on its secret garden rooftop terrace.
Location: 68 Church St, Inverness IV1 1EN, UK
Open: Monday–Thursday from noon to 10.30 pm, Friday–Sunday from 11 am to 10.30 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1463 229920
Map - 4
Eden Court Theater
A night of entertainment in the city’s main cultural venue
- Couples
- Families
- Nightlife
Eden Court Theater is the city’s premier arts center, found close to the banks of River Ness. This venue hosts a wide range of performances, including Scottish drama, West End musicals, ballet, modern dance, traditional family pantomime, children’s shows, and various local productions.
Eden Court Theater houses an arthouse movie theater that presents an innovative, cultural program that includes blockbusters, British movies, and foreign language movies. There’s a café, restaurant, and different bars in the venue for you to relax before or after a show. There are even art galleries where local and professional Scottish artists highlight their work.
Location: Bishops Rd, Inverness IV3 5SA, UK
Open: Thursday–Monday from 10 am to 10 pm (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Phone: +44 (0)1463 234 234
Mapphoto by dave conner (CC BY 2.0) modified
- 5
The Castle Tavern
A traditional tavern for sampling the finest local brews
- Nightlife
The Castle Tavern prides itself as a traditional pub, offering delicious pub grub, real ales from all over the country, and classical décor to complete the experience. If you want something to drink that’s unique to the pub, go for their very own house ale, Flora Macdonald.
You can choose to enjoy your meal and beverages at its upstairs restaurant or in its beer garden – the latter offers a pleasant view of Inverness Castle. The Castle Tavern is within a 5-minute walk of Ness Bank Church and Inverness Museum & Art Gallery.
Location: 1 View Pl, Inverness IV2 4SA, UK
Open: Daily from 1 pm to 10 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1463 718178
Mapphoto by Mike Pennington (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
- 6
Bar One Inverness
Inverness’ original cocktail bar for sipping cocktails
- Food
- Nightlife
Bar One Inverness has gotten you covered for a fun night out, whether you’re in the mood for a fun night out, to catch up with friends, or to cozy up on a romantic date. This cocktail bar expertly combines delicious concoctions with great music and an uplifting ambience.
Its mixologists can whip up a rich variety of trendsetting cocktails and old favorites. You can easily ask them for great recommendations. The bar also serves tasty food – try the signature stone-baked pizza, which goes well with its cocktails and beverages.
Location: 1 Academy St, Inverness IV1 1JN, UK
Open: Monday–Thursday from 3 pm to 10 pm, Friday–Sunday from noon to 10 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1463 714471
Map - 7
Johnny Foxes and the Den
Grab a drink and enjoy great music at 2 onsite bars
- Food
- Nightlife
Johnny Foxes and the Den are 2 complementary bars within a single venue, right by the riverside. Johnny Foxes serves a wide array of tasty grub all day, with live music at night. The welcoming atmosphere draws in both locals and tourists alike, making it a suitable place to meet people.
The Den is a cocktail bar that doubles as a club after dark for late-night revelers. Before you head over to the Den, it’s important to note that it has a smart casual dress code.
Location: 26 Bank St, Inverness IV1 1QU, UK
Open: Daily from noon to 10.30 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1463 236577
Map - 8
MacCallums Bar
A live music bar where you can dance along to lively tunes
- Nightlife
MacCallums Bar is the place to go to enjoy live music along with a wide choice of Scottish malt whiskeys, local gins, and craft beers. The staff is friendly, and you can easily chat them up for recommendations on what drink to get.
From Thursdays to Sundays, the place gets particularly lively at night with resident bands and musicians playing and the crowd joining along as backing vocals. MacCallums Bar is compact and can get busy, especially when live bands are playing, so it's advisable to drop in early to get a good spot.
Location: 40 Union St, Inverness IV1 1PX, UK
Open: Daily from 11 am to 1 am
Phone: +44 (0)1463 224922
Map - 9
Scotch and Rye
A vintage-style speakeasy to 'travel back in time'
- Food
- Nightlife
Scotch and Rye offers a broad choice of food and beverages that pay homage to the hardworking and hard-drinking people of the Prohibition era in Chicago. Dig into their signature burgers and hot dogs and pair them up with their premium cocktail creations and craft brews.
Love whiskey? You'll be glad to hear that this bar offers over 100 varieties as well as bourbon and rye. Professional mixologists can even create whisky-based cocktails for those who want something different.
Location: 21 Queensgate, Inverness IV1 1DF, UK
Open: Monday–Wednesday from 11 am to midnight, Thursday–Saturday from 11 am to 1 am, Sunday from noon to midnight
Phone: +44 (0)1463 715374
Map - 10
The Malt Room
A premier whiskey bar for tasting some of the finest whiskeys
- Nightlife
Known as Inverness' first whiskey bar, The Malt Room offers over 350 kinds of malt whiskeys, with bottles dating back to over half a century. If whiskeys aren’t your thing, you can have your pick of its craft brews and fine spirits, including vodkas, rums, and gins.
The bar staff is both friendly and knowledgeable, so they can guide you in your choice of beverages for the night. If you fancy something more indulgent, you might want to try The Malt Room’s chocolate and whiskey board aptly named A Match Made in Heaven.
Location: 34 Church St, Inverness IV1 1EH, UK
Open: Monday–Friday from 5 pm to 10.30 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 3 pm to 10.30 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1463 221888
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