BARS and PUBS
BARS IN WALKING DISTANCE
You will not be surprised to know that Edinburgh is not short of pubs.
You will find pubs that are child friendly here.
I have not aimed to give an exhaustive account of every bar in Edinburgh. Choosing a place to go for a drink is very much a question of personal taste. I have aimed, instead, just to give you an idea of places near the house and away from the usual tourist trail.
For an experience of Edinburgh as lived by the locals, I would recommend the Cask and Barrel or John Leslie’s (see description below). At the latter, you could make a night of it and have a curry at the well-reviewed Pakata.
Here are some “locals”.
To get to these bars (immediately above), turn left when leaving the house and go to the end of the road, turn left again onto Sciennes and you will see Sciennes Place on your right.
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Pubs (that Do Not Accept Children) Near the House
Pubs in Edinburgh tend to score relatively low on Tripadvisor. Not quite sure why good pubs do not do so well but anything over 3.5 is going to be “good” and anything over 4 is going to be “better than just good”.
THE ARGYLE (Bar) (3.8 on Tripadvisor)
On the corner
Local pub with regulars in the early evening, students later on. Does not do food. Possible to sit outside in the early evening in fine weather.
THE EARL OF MARCHMONT (Bar) (3.8 on Tripadvisor)
Beside the supermarket
Student pub. Does not do food. My personal preference is for the Argyle.
SUMMERHALL/ THE ROYAL DICK (Bar) (10 mins walk) (3.7 on Tripadvisor)
Go left coming out of the house and carry on until you get there. Go through the Summerhall Arts Venue to find the bar, the Royal Dick, at the back.
Community Arts venue with a good bar and extensive outside seating arrangement (some of which is covered). You go in through a door that looks as if it might be for a public library. While used by everyone, it is popular with young people. Recommended: particularly on account of the large outside seating area in the summer.
The Royal Dick does food and children are accepted until 8.
CASK AND BARREL (only one review on Tripadvisor … 5!) (10 to 15 mins walk)
24 West Preston Street
https://www.caskandbarrelsouthside.co.uk
A personal favourite: a typical old school Edinburgh bar with engraved mirrors and plenty of space. Has a local clientele … predominantly male around the bar, predominantly 40+ … a good selection of quality whiskies and friendly and willing staff. Often has unobtrusive live music provided by Scottish folk enthusiasts. It is a good place to drop off at on the way to or on the back from Nicholson Street for restaurants. The Cask and Barrel is a stone’s throw from Isola, a recommended restaurant).
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THE GRASSMARKET (10 to 15 mins walk)
There are bars on the other side of the Meadows and then a plethora of bars in the Grassmarket (which is worth a visit for tourist purposes anyway). I recommend the Bow Bar on Victoria Street, the street with the multi-coloured buildings up from the Grassmarket. Don’t forget to have a quick look at the Greyfriars Kirkyard ont he way there or on the way back (a real trip back in time).
The Bow Bar (4.4 on Tripadvisor)
80 West Bow
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CAUSEWAYSIDE (15 minutes walk)
Two traditional pubs away from the tourist circuit. Gives you a view of how the indigenous population lives and drinks! Also has a very highly rated Indian restaurant in the vicinity.
The Old Bell (4.5 on Tripadviser)
https://www.oldbelledinburgh.co.uk
233 Causewayside EH9 1PH
Traditional bar that does pub food (allows children until 20.00) and has plenty of space. The food is quite pricey. Mixed clientele of locals and students and others. Pleasant and typically British experience guaranteed.
John Leslie’s. (4.5 on Tripadvisor)
45 Ratcliife Terrace, EH9 1SU
https://edinburghpubreviews.substack.com/p/john-leslies-bar-repost
Traditional bar that has not changed in years. It is worth it just for the 1902 architecture. Friendly staff in this oasis of calm that caters for a mostly older clientèle. A personal favourite.
Steel Coulson (4.7 on Google Maps …)
114 Causewayside
https://camra.org.uk/pubs/steel-coulson-southside-edinburgh-150826
Never been to this one but will give it a try and update. You are allowed to bring in food that you have bought from outside.
Brass Monkey (4.8 on Tripadvisor)
1 Grange Road
https://www.brassmonkeygrange.co.uk
I usually go to either The Old Bell or John Leslie’s but this pub does food (not all that cheap) and admits children until 8.
PATAKA (2000 reviews and 4.8 star rating on Tripadviser!)
190 Causewayside EH9 1PH
Whilst you are at this end of the town, why not get a beer and a curry:
Or, if you would prefer a high end option, you could try:
CONDITA (171 reviews and 5 star on Tripadviser) (Closes at 9)
15 Salisbury Place EH9 1SL