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Sandy Bell's, Edinburgh

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25 Forrest Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2QH (View on Google Map)
(0131) 225 2751
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  • Historic Interior

Sandy Bell's is the premier place for free live folk music in Edinburgh every evening and on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons (daily in August). Bring along an instrument and join in! An arch, the gantry, bar counter and wall panelling are in dark wood, in marked contrast to the atmosphere which is far from gloomy. In addition to five or six real ales, there is an impressive range of malt whiskies and gins. Nice "ghost signs" of the pubs previous name, Forrest Hill Bar, have been revealed on the outside.

Children are not admitted.

Information for this venue is provided by the Edinburgh & South East Scotland Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Last updated
28/02/2025
Last surveyed
10/01/2025
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
unknown
Pub ID
EDN/371
Asset of Community Value

Two star - A pub interior of very special national historic interest

Listed status: Not listed

A small folk music pub, barely altered in 50 years, and with live music seven nights a week and also on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

It has an old gantry, bar counter, vestibule entrance and a fireplace covered by seating. The two rooms are divided by a pedimented arch; the wood panel on the counter was replaced by a glass one in recent years. The rear room has been extended by absorbing a narrow passage.

Monday
Noon - 1:00am
Tuesday
Noon - 1:00am
Wednesday
Noon - 1:00am
Thursday
Noon - 1:00am
Friday
Noon - 1:00am
Saturday
Noon - 1:00am
Sunday
12:30pm - Midnight
TasteMatch

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Current beers

This Pub serves 1 changing beer and 4 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Harviestoun - Bitter & Twisted TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Harviestoun - Bitter & Twisted
Harviestoun - Bitter & Twisted Session Golden Ale • 3.8% Spotted 23 times.
Harviestoun - Bitter & Twisted
Harviestoun - Bitter & Twisted

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 23 times. at Sandy Bell's, Edinburgh.

ABV 3.8%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Golden Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Inveralmond - Ossian TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Inveralmond - Ossian
Inveralmond - Ossian Session Golden Ale • 4.1% Spotted 17 times.
Inveralmond - Ossian
Inveralmond - Ossian

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 17 times. at Sandy Bell's, Edinburgh.

ABV 4.1%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Golden Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Orkney - Dark Island TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Dark Island Pump Clip
Orkney - Dark Island Strong Mild • 4.6% Spotted 20 times.
Dark Island Pump Clip
Silver Award
Orkney - Dark Island

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 20 times. at Sandy Bell's, Edinburgh.

ABV 4.6%
Dispense Handpump
Style Strong Mild
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Fyne Ales - Jarl TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Fyne Ales - Jarl
Fyne Ales - Jarl Session Golden Ale • 3.8% Spotted 60 times.
Fyne Ales - Jarl
Fyne Ales - Jarl

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 60 times. at Sandy Bell's, Edinburgh.

ABV 3.8%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Golden Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No
Changing

Changing beers typically include: Born (varies) , Caledonian (varies) , Orkney (varies)

Source: Regional

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Facilities
Live Music Live Music
9pm all week and 6pm Mon-Thu; 2pm Mon, Fri & Sat; 4pm Sun
Disabled Access Disabled Access
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
bowl & biscuits provided
Events Events
daily sessions during festival in August
Games Games
chess, draughts, backgammon
Newspapers Newspapers
Real Fire Real Fire
Wi Fi Wi Fi
free
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
Transport
Close to bus routes (20m)
Lothian Buses: Various (Other stops 100m and 130m)
Open map, zoom in and hover on bus stop symbols to see route numbers
Close to metro (850m)
Princes Street
Nearby Station (770m)
Edinburgh
Directions
0.5m S of centre

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Grab a copy of the Heritage Pub Guide for Scotland

Introduction This guide describes the 116 pubs identified by CAMRA as having interiors of national or regional historic or architectural importance, plus a further 24 whose interiors are of some regional interest. Scotland has over 4000 pubs so why do...

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