What a gem! This is a great environment to enjoy a quiet drink or meet up with friends. The scotch range is terrific and the bartenders clearly have a genuine enthusiasm for their products. They have some very tasty pies there too. I make sure drop in any time I find myself in the Upper East Side.
Review Source:Perhaps the best thing about this place was the variety of whiskeys and that scottish accent the bartender had - its a toss up ;)
They also some food items posted on the chalkboard; would have been interested in the chicken curry and/or scottish egg had I not already had dinner before stepping foot into this cozy yet spacious little pub. Â I hear this place gets quite crowded on the weekends, but it was perfectly occupied while I was there, with just enough people to fill the bar space. Â
I look forward to coming here again, and maybe try out the fried scottish egg!
One of my fave bars in the city. It's a crazy well-stocked Scotch bar, and I don't even drink scotch, so it says a lot that I go there all the time. The bartenders are super friendly and will always remember you the next time you go in. Plus, they make great cocktails. If Mike's behind the bar, he'll take the time to answer any of your scotch questions. Â Be sure to check it out. It's a fantastic option if you don't want to deal with a lot of the frat/sports bars in the area. Plus, if you are hungry, they also have meat pies and Scotch eggs to snack on.
Review Source:Perfect cozy bar for catch ups. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. No booming music which can be nice.
I rather this place in winter as its so dark inside, and makes you feel like your not in the city at all.
Drinks prices are typical NYC prices, they have varied whiskey choices, and bartender is friendly and knowledgable.
Came here last night after reading the great reviews.  My fiancé and I recently moved from tribeca to the upper east and we were looking for bars more reminiscent of the downtown vibe instead of the gazillion typical fratty sports bars here.  Caledonia definitely fits the bill - drinks were good an decently priced (typical drinks at places like ward III or weather up are a few dollars more). The space was lively but never got super crowded.  Also amazing selection of scotch and whiskey.  The best part is that they detail the different flavor profiles for each drink on the menu and so it allows people like me with no scotch knowledge to make a somewhat educated decision.  Great place and will def be coming back.
Review Source:This place is a gem. Its tiny, totally unpretentious and it has lots of character. The selection is unbelievable and the bartender/owner is a wealth of knowledge. He chatted with my wife and I for about 10 minutes to help us choose the right scotch for each of us to try and he chose well! I'd love to pop in for another drink sometime.
Review Source:This is my favorite bar in the city. It's small, unpretentious with a decent but not overwhelming draft selection, fantastic happy hours and was surprisingly not overcrowded. The yelp reviews will probably bring doom to this place eventually, but for now I'll keep this on my comfort stops in UES.
Review Source:We stopped in for a night cap. The bar was dark and empty. The scotch menu was huge and had lots of choices. My friends and I ordered craft beers, which they had a huge list for those too. It was really fun shuffling through the beer menu seeing intersting choicdes from around the world. As for food, they only have "pies." So unless you want a pie, eat prior.
Review Source:Four stars solely for the massive selection of scotch. It's tough to find a selection this wide in such a casual setting. I walked in with a specific single malt in mind, and sure enough they had it on the menu. I also appreciate that they serve everything neat, without even asking.
The atmosphere was nice with a cozy spot in the back of the bar with some couches. It's a stellar neighborhood bar and worth making a trip to the UES for. All that being said... I probably could have done without the blaring pop music.
Years ago I visited Glasgow and Edinburgh. This is a little slice of that experience.
This is a very cute bar with yummy Scottish ale, including rum casked beer (very strong with a sweet rummy finish). The general prices are exceptionally reasonable and at HH, most of them are $2 off.
There are cozy leather couches in the back along with a book shelf reminiscent of coffee houses in LA.
I had the Bellhaven Scottish ale which was creamy like a Boddington, but far more understated and similarly with a light carbonation. I truly enjoyed it.
Cozy and small and a wonderful place for Happy Hour.
Spectacular collection of single malt whisky served by a bartender from Scotland with good knowledge of his craft, reasonable prices, cozy and small. What's to not like? Â And the bartender was eager to chat up various malts and offer his opinion. This place is a must destination for a serious single malt aficionado. Doubt it can hold 25 customers but only offering up that information so you know what it's like. Probably not the place to bring 10 people for happy hour as it's mostly bar seating.
Best: didn't ask how we wanted it. People that know want it neat. Your pour is served with a side of water. No ice for me, thank you. If you want it, you ice fans can dilute your rare serving which some kind of chlorinated gunk that came from who knows where. I get it, but asking for ice is a crapshoot anywhere.
Good selection of craft beers as well including Scottish barrels on tap.
Every city should have a few of these.
this is a bar in which you can sit and have a real think about life. this is a bar on the upper east side that has it's heart in Scotland and it's mind in the gutter.
nonetheless you can drink anything from the lowlands to the highlands, islay to speyside. and in case you get too drunk, the walls label the cabinets containing the liquid gems below.
Michael is the owner. cunning and young, he's a witty, confident bartender that will cater to your Pinot-Grigio loving girlfriend and your inner Laphroaig pervert with grace and knowledged enthusiasm.
epic spot to have a craft pint, convene with the boys, enjoy a fancy tasting with a nonchalant feel. but honestly, come here if you're a scotch drinker, or don't come here at all.
My brother was in town from Scotland last week & was delighted when I took him to a complimentary Whisky tasting last Monday  at this bar. A Scotsman & free Whisky...... Match made in even. Nice bar snacks & good music too. All the regulars join in in the tasting creating a very welcoming atmosphere......amazing!!
Review Source:Joining the numerous great reviews would generally make me feel like I was just latching on to the latest "in" place, but after a year of going there, I had to say something.
Is place restores my faith in UES bars, drinking, and living in this godforsaken town in general. Tested reasons to drink there - Date drinks: check. Girls night out: check. Watching the game: check. Visiting relatives: check. Weekend cocktails: check. Proper whisky: check. Phenomenal jukebox: check.
In fact - I am not sure why I am not there right now.
Was looking through Yelp for some scotch bars uptown and Caledonia came up. Â Being a lover of scotch, I had to give it a try. Â The scotch selection is extensive. Â I like that they group all of the bottles by distillery location behind the bar. Â There were tons of options. Â Its hard to find bars that have such a large scotch list. Â I was highly impressed.
As for the actual bar itself, Â it is dark and narrow with a few couches in the back. Â There is not much room to stand, if everyone is sitting at the bar. Â Luckily I was able to secure one of the couches for a couple hours.
The drinks options are excellent and the bar is decent. Â I will definitely be back whenever I am in the area.
A++++
What a gem. Appropriately enough, we walked in here after a training run and picking up our Scotland Run registration tchotchkes from the Road Runners office nearby. I knew I liked this place right away: an older crowd with just enough seat at the bar to accommodate a line of regulars, and a small reservable (and reserved) couch area in the back for an intimate evening, perhaps.
The bartender (who was from Liverpool, not Scotland, FYI) was extremely nice and laid-back. There was good music on the box (though curiously, it was a very 20-30something Indie playlist for what was essentially a crowd of late 30-40somethings). The taps had the expected Bellhaven ale, but also a very delicious Innis and Gunn oak-aged beer, as well as a Belhaven IPA. There were also a few good American craft beers and more traditional pub favorites.
If this place were closer, I would park myself there on a regular basis, but alas the Upper East Siders will get to enjoy it in my stead. Drink a pint for me!
I agree with what everyone else has said. Â Such a nice addition to the UES. Â The bartenders are friendly and charming, the atmosphere was great. Â It was nice to drink mulled wine and scotch instead of the usual bud light found everywhere uptown. Â Will definitely be adding Caledonia to my weekly repertoire!
Oh, the only strange thing was the music. Â All early 2000's rap and hip hop. Â Didn't seem to fit the vibe. Â Or, was it endearing? Â Jury's still out.
I wasn't writing a review for Caledonia, because I really don't want this place to get crowded, but I just have to, I love it!
We sat in the back on a very comfortable leather love-seats and relaxed with a few beers, it was fantastic.
A nice place on the UES for an older, but not too old, crowd.
I know nothing about whiskey, but I wish I did, I was a little too intimidated to try any whiskey my first and only time there, but on my next visit I am sure to try some!
teach me how to whiskey--teach me, teach me how to whiskey!
love this place. dark and cozy with [what I'm told] is a pretty decent selection of whiskey, though if that's not your jam, they have a great selection of beers/some wine. come for the Innis and Gunn, stay for the saucy bartender!
Upon stepping into this little pub, you will quickly realize Caledonia is  a haven for whisky lovers on the UES. They hand you their BIBLE of whisky and sitting at the bar, the shelves are full of single malts that will make your heart jump a beat.
This cozy, narrow pub, is great for a relaxed catch up with a friend. There is a couch towards the back but seating mainly seems to be at the bar itself. The bartender is friendly and we enjoyed having a banter with him.
Having a dram at 5pm seemed too early, especially on an empty stomach, so I went with their winter warmer - hot chocolate with whiskey. This was perfect for a cold day and they are generous with their pour of the whiskey. Given that it's a Scottish pub, I had to try their hard cider, which was lovely and much better than their other choice, the Magners.
A quality pub when you want to get away from the bro-fest that invades most UES bars and enjoy a dram or three. I'll be back!
As far as Scottish whisky bars go, this is the ideal type. Dark decor and wood-paneled walls made me feel like I was in a Highlands cabin and the narrow layout of the place made me feel very friendly with the rest of the pubgoers.
The beer list was of reasonable breadth, with some Scottish ale highlights. There were no specials that I could see, but let's be honest, this bar was way too cool for that kind of thing. I saw at least twenty different whisky bottles behind the bar and the bartenders seemed really knowledgeable (and totally Scottish, which was a giant bonus). Unfortunately, I was a little too far along in the night to be able to appreciate or afford a nice glass of whisky, so I settled for a beer and a sausage roll.
The sausage roll was AWESOME. It was piping hot, straight out of the oven, and the pastry was wonderfully flaky and puffy, with a very juicy and flavorful sausage link inside. I may have raved a little more than was necessary or appropriate about that sausage roll, and maybe it was the beer talking, but I really did like it. I toyed with getting a Scotch egg, which is also a wonderful creation to have at a bar, but Scotch eggs can only be so large and I figured I would get my money's worth with the sausage roll instead.
Next time I'm in the Upper East Side, I'm coming here for a glass of whisky, good conversation, and great food.
If I was the type to go to a bar consistently and/or lived in the neighborhood, this would 100% be my spot. The bartenders are very nice (and yes, they have accents) and they remember their customers and the customers' names. They make a stiff drink and have a good selection. The layout of the bar is a bit awkward, with a nice little sitting area in the very front and the very back, with a very narrow bar area. This is fine when it's not terribly crowded, awful when it is, and you have to go to the bathroom. I highly recommend for when you want to gather with a few friends for a light catch-up or a landing spot for after or before a big night out. Â
The pizza place right next door is quite yummy as well, for when you're a bit far gone and think you need to pad the belly a bit. They let you bring the pizza right back to the bar.
By far, this is my favorite spot for drinks on the Upper East, or as I prefer to call it, an extension of my living room. A charming hideaway for all that's good in life - beers, whiskey, scotch, people that don't take themselves too seriously, and of course, dashing bartenders with accents. Regardless of the night, you'll be greeted graciously, quickly poured your choice of authentic Scottish ale, wooed by the always entertaining and never predictable jukebox selections, and 4 hours later  stumble home a very happy man/lady.
There are no tables or wait service - just one, long bar amid top-quality whiskeys. If you can't get a stool, which you normally can, there are also comfy couches in back that are great for larger groups. And while there isn't a large menu, they also offer tasty meat pies, sausage rolls and other things Scottish people eat.
Most importantly about this bar, they treat you like family and genuinely want you to have a great experience. Each customer is given the same amount of attentiveness, and if their lucky, a joke made on their behalf. It's all in good fun.
I promise - come once, and you'll definitely be back.
One of the coolest little pubs I have ever been too. Nothing more than a hallway with  bar stools. Decorated like a proud Scotsman wanted display his hunting trophies. This is the kind of pub that makes you want to sit and stay awhile rather than just a grab and go.
The guy tending the bar was Scottish and he knew his stuff. Name a Scotch and he's got tasting notes, pros, cons, price and even a recommendation based on the types of Scotch you have tried and like.
Also, he talked us into drinking Scottish cider and Scottish ale which we all thoroughly enjoyed.
By the end of the night, it was our gang and one girl at the end of the bar who clearly liked the bar tending Celt. We left to give them some privacy.
In and endless sea of pubs, bars, and taverns, this is a gem.
Great place for a pint and a pie - or a whisky (no 'e').
Friendly and knowledgeable Scottish bartenders. Â excellent selection of whisky from around the world - but primarily from Scotland. Â small but very good selection of beer on tap - including Belhaven, Twisted Thistle, and Guinness. Good music playing in the background - loud enough to hear and not too loud to stifle conversation.
We stopped in here for a pint, ended up staying until 1:30 am. Â We shared a couple meat pies and enjoyed a few whisky's.
The whisky pours are quite measured, not as liberal as some of the other places. Â And the prices seem a tad high (but it is NY). Thus only 4 stars vs. the 5 I'd like to give them.
The scotch list is not as extensive as the one at St Andrews, Keen's, or Whiskey Park. Â But do you really need over 100 to choose from? Â
So for a cool little pub for a pint/dram and pie - I'd certainly pick the Caladonia.
I've been here twice, and I am sure I'll come back. Â An upscale pub with some great Scottish brews on tap which I haven't found elsewhere on the UES. Â A nice spread of whisky on the back shelf makes me wish I was a fan of Scotch.
The setting is intimate with a long bar up front and a small sitting area in the back with a couple couches to relax.
This is a nice, classy, low key alternative to the sports bars and generic pubs that dot the upper east side. Â
Men: Â The door to the men's room slides. Â Don't try to swing it open, because you'll either break it or just look silly. Â Women: Â I'm told that the women's room door swings in, and it's really hard to close it behind you after you're in there. Â
There are two comfortable couches in the back, but they face each other, so that can get awkward when a couple decides to sit there. Â It's more awkward when the dude is wearing a tank top (I know it's summer, but really?) and he looks like he's going to film a porno right then and there.
I love it here! Â Great place to come either for a quiet drink, meeting friends, or a night of make your own karaoke! Â Bartenders are very friendly and attentive, and you always have an interesting time with the people you meet here.
Would definitely recommend it if you're looking for a change from the other UES bars nearby!
This past Saturday night was my second visit to this bar. Â For my first visit, I was with Garen A (see 2/12 review) and witnessed the pour back into the bottle mentioned in his review. I still decided to give it another chance. Â And now I have. Â
This time, I drank a significant amount of tequila and was also buying drinks for a friend. When I got the not small bill, I was still somehow sober enough to notice that they had charged me for ICE for every single one of my drinks! Â Who does this?? Â I mentioned it to the bartender, who simply smiled and said "Well, you get more tequila that way." Â I'm not sure that even makes sense, but rest assured that that was strike 2 at this place. Â
Strike 3 was having to hear "Sweet Caroline" more than once in an evening out. Â That just ain't right. Â Â Caledonia, it was nice knowing ya!
Nice little pub in the UES. Definitely a little classier and more "hip" than your normal Irish pub. Drinks were pretty tasty and unique as well as far as specialty cocktails go. They seemed to have some yummy English beers on tap as well as an extensive scotch selection.
Cozy little place to catch up with a girlfriend, although try to avoid sitting at the bar as the bar stools are all slanted oddly and I found myself slipping off occasionally! Or maybe, I was just drunk.
I was really excited to discover a Scottish pub on the UES, and this bar does not disappoint. It is not very large - probably 15 barstools and a couple couches in the back, but it does have a great ambiance. Â The bartender was very friendly and offered great beer and scotch options.
The selection of scotch here is, obviously, pretty good. Â The prices seem pretty reasonable compared to other places. Â I was really excited about the tap beer selections though. I tried Innis and Gunn Rum Cask (excellent flavor) and Belhaven Cream Ale, both on tap. Â The tap beers are very reasonably priced (about $6-8 for Scottish beers).
We happened to be there on a night with a free scotch tasting - which was fantastic. Â I don't think this is a regular event, as they had an outside person doing it - but it was a great way to try some scotches and enjoy the evening.
This bar is the exact opposite of most UES bars - i.e. not a frat-boy, 24oz budlight kinda place. Â It was great to find such an interesting bar near home!
This is the kind of bar where I'd like to become a regular. After years of buying single-malts for my Dad and proudly wearing the Colquhoun clan tartan (thanks to my Mom's side of the family), I was really delighted to see a Scottish bar in my new hood, in addition to the usual vaguely Irish places. The beers (I got Belhaven, of course) were about $7 each, though the pours of Scotch are a lot more. Hence why I'll have to become a beer-based regular.
The encyclopedia-like Scotch menu is a real treat to look at. If you're feeling cocktails more than beer or whiskey (bourbon selection includes Basil Hayden's!), they have a decent selection of liquor as well. I was a little surprised to see Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka being poured (especially since that and lemonade are such a quintessential summer cocktail and it was January, but oh well). For what it's worth, the meat pies smell delicious and the bartenders are very friendly.
A top shelf bar that seemed to have been plucked from some cool East Village location but sits in little ole' Yorkville. They have a great tap selection, Belhaven being my favorite. Their strong suit is the wall of single malts. It may take a while to find your favorite. When you do you'll know its the right one.
They have a decent drink menu, Caledonia martini was my choice, Hendricks Gin, vermouth and cucumber. Â I wanted to try some others but the gin cucumber combo was too much a winner to change.
If after a few drinks you need a bite they offer "Tuck pies", Australian meat pie things, made from the Tuck shop on St. Marks street. Â These hit the spot after a few especially with some hot sauce.
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