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Central Bar, Edinburgh


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Leith Walk, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 8LN (View on Google Map)
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NOTE: Any information shown may be out of date

Possible alternate phone number 0131 467 3925

Information for this venue is provided by the Edinburgh & South East Scotland Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Last updated
23/03/2023
Last surveyed
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
unknown
Pub ID
EDN/692
Asset of Community Value

Three star - A pub interior of outstanding national historic importance

Listed status: A

A down-to-earth drinkers’ pub at the foot of Leith Walk which has, nonetheless. one of Scotland’s most spectacular interiors. It began life as the bar for Leith's long-gone Central Station.

The pub was built in 1899 to designs by one of Scotland’s leading pub architects, Peter Lyle Henderson.. Entrance porches on either side (with mosaic flooring and stained glass windows), lead into a room whose walls are completely covered with Minton Hollins tiles. The side walls are notable for four tiled panels of sporting scenes – yacht racing, hare-coursing, golf and shooting – with tall, narrow mirrors between. The U-shaped counter backs on to a stunning oak gantry which has glazed cupboards for cigars etc, and sprouts the figures of four griffins. In the middle of the servery is the base of a small island gantry whilst on the left are four U-shaped seating areas. The ceiling is papier-maché with Jacobean detailing. Window screens with coloured glass bear the name of John Doig who was the first proprietor. The two sitting rooms originally at the back have been converted to storage areas. Listing upgraded to A in 2008 as a result of survey work by CAMRA.

General information about historic pub interiors

Without doubt one of Scotland’s most stunning pub interiors. Entrance porches (with mosaic flooring and colourful stained glass windows) either side lead into a room whose walls are completely covered with tiles by Minton Hollins & Co, Stoke on Trent, including four panels of sporting scenes – yacht racing at Cowes Regatta, hare-coursing (left), golf represented by a picture of the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, and hunting with pointers - and tall, narrow mirrors.

Other magnificent displays of tiled paintings can be found at Café Royal, Edinburgh, Scotland; Mountain Daisy, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear; General Havelock, Hastings, East Sussex; Rose Villa Tavern, Hockley, Birmingham; St James Tavern, Soho, London W1Dolphin, Hackney, London E8; andGolden Cross, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

Built in 1899 and designed by P L Henderson this tall, nearly square space served as the bar for Leith Central station, which finally closed in 1972. The U-shaped counter backs onto a stunning light oak gantry, which has glazed cupboards for displaying cigars etc., and includes the figures of four griffins.

There is also an island gantry. The counter and tabletops date from c.2003. On the left are four U-shaped seating areas with conventional fixed seating on the right. The ceiling is Jacobean papier-mâché, and there is a tiled frieze in an elaborate scroll pattern. Window screens with coloured glass bearing the name of John Doig (the first proprietor) and appear prominently on other (modern) items round the pub. There were two sitting rooms at the back originally which have been converted to store rooms in recent years. Opens at 9am Monday to Saturday.

General information about historic pub interiors
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