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Kay's Bar, Edinburgh

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39 Jamaica Street West, Edinburgh, EH3 6HF (View on Google Map)
(0131) 225 1858
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  • Outstanding pub conversion

A cosy and convivial pub, with regulars from far and wide, that retains many features from its days as a Victorian wine merchant. Considering its very small size, it offers an impressive range of real ales. It also has a large collection of malt whisky. If the front bar is busy, try the small room at the back. Food is available at lunchtime Wednesday to Friday. Children are not admitted.

Winner of the CAMRA Edinburgh & SE Scotland Real Ale Quality Award 2024.
Runner-Up in the CAMRA Edinburgh Real Ale Quality Awards 2023.
Winner of the CAMRA Edinburgh Real Ale Quality Award 2022.
Has been mentioned in the press during 2023 as one of the best five pubs in Scotland having a real fire.

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
06/01/2025
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
unknown
Pub ID
EDN/160
Asset of Community Value

Conversion

Built in 1814 as a cottage, this wee pub operated as a wine merchant's shop for 150 years. It was converted to a cosy and convivial pub in the 1970s, retaining many features from its retail days. It is decorated with whisky barrels and specialises in malt whisky. It has a public bar and a small panelled snug called the Library.

General information about outstanding conversions and restorations
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Monday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Thursday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Friday
11:00am - Midnight
Saturday
11:00am - Midnight
Sunday
12:30pm - 11:00pm
Monday
No Service
Tuesday
No Service
Wednesday
Noon - 2:30pm
Thursday
Noon - 2:30pm
Friday
Noon - 2:30pm
Saturday
No Service
Sunday
No Service
TasteMatch

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Current beers

This Pub serves 3 changing beers and 3 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Theakston - Best Bitter TasteMatch Prediction

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Theakston - Best Bitter
Theakston - Best Bitter Session Bitter • 3.8% Spotted 13 times.
Theakston - Best Bitter
Theakston - Best Bitter

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 13 times. at Kay's Bar, Edinburgh.

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

Timothy Taylor - Landlord TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Taylor's Landlord Pump clip
Timothy Taylor - Landlord Session Bitter • 4.3% Spotted 10 times.
Taylor's Landlord Pump clip
Timothy Taylor - Landlord

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 10 times. at Kay's Bar, Edinburgh.

ABV 4.3%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Bitter
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 22 times.
Fyne Ales - Jarl
Fyne Ales - Jarl

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 22 times. at Kay's Bar, Edinburgh.

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

Changing beers typically include: Loch Lomond (varies) , Stewart (varies) , Swannay (varies)

Source: Regional

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Champion Beer Of Britain Award

The Champion Beer of Britain is one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the world. It is the ultimate honour for UK brewers and has helped put many into the national spotlight.

Nominations are now Open

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Judging for the competition takes around a year, starting with individual nominations from CAMRA members and tasting panel nominations, leading to a series of rigorous regional heats adhering to a strict blind tasting policy.

Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Wed - Fri only
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Games Games
Scrabble, dominoes and cribbage.
Newspapers Newspapers
Real Fire Real Fire
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Free
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
OCR Pub OCR Pub
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Uses Autovac Uses Autovac
Quiet Quiet
Cask Marque Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating
Cask Marque: Beer and Cellar Hygiene rating 5 out of 5
Transport
Close to bus routes (482m)
Lothian Buses
Open map, zoom in and hover on bus stop symbols to see route numbers
Close to metro (920m)
Princes Street
Closest station (1300m)
Edinburgh
Directions
New Town, off India St. 0.4m N of centre

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