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Bow Bar, Edinburgh

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Only a pub since the 1960s though it looks at least 150 years old. A classic one-roomed Scottish alehouse with more traditional Scottish air pressure dispense founts than any other pub - seven. The walls are festooned with original brewery mirrors and enamels from cigarette companies. The superb gantry does justice to an award-winning selection of 400+ single malt whiskies and international bottled beers. The real (cask) ales tend to come from independent Scottish breweries but can be from anywhere in the UK. Beer festivals are held in January and July, along with frequent tap takeovers. Gourmet pies are available 12-5pm - otherwise food is limited. 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
27/02/2025
Last surveyed
20/01/2025
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
unknown
Pub ID
EDN/43
Asset of Community Value

Conversion

A faithful re-creation of a traditional Scottish one-roomed alehouse from what was a run-down pub in a tenement building. Grade C-listed. The genuinely old items are the brewery and whisky mirrors but all bar fittings are of highest quality. A classic example of how to do it. The superb gantry does justice to an award-winning selection of single malt whiskies, as well as ales served from traditional Scottish fonts.

General information about outstanding conversions and restorations
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Monday
Noon - Midnight
Tuesday
Noon - Midnight
Wednesday
Noon - Midnight
Thursday
Noon - Midnight
Friday
Noon - Midnight
Saturday
Noon - Midnight
Sunday
Noon - Midnight

Current beers

This Pub serves 5 changing beers and 3 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen
Stewart - 80/-
Stewart - 80/- Strong Mild • 4.4% Spotted 8 times
Stewart - 80/-
Stewart - 80/-

Strong Mild

Dispense: Air pressure
ABV: 4.4%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: Yes
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 8 times recently. Last spotted 2 days ago
Loch Lomond - Silkie Stout
Loch Lomond - Silkie Stout Strong Stout • 5% Spotted 17 times
Loch Lomond - Silkie Stout
Loch Lomond - Silkie Stout

Strong Stout

Dispense: Air pressure
ABV: 5%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 17 times recently. Last spotted 1 week ago
Cromarty - Whiteout
Cromarty - Whiteout Differently Produced Speciality Beers • 3.8% Spotted 21 times
Cromarty - Whiteout
Cromarty - Whiteout

Differently Produced Speciality Beers

Dispense: Air pressure
ABV: 3.8%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 21 times
Changing

Changing beers typically include: Cromarty (varies) , Fyne Ales (varies) , Stewart (varies)

Source: Regional


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Facilities
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Newspapers Newspapers
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Free
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
OCR Pub OCR Pub
Uses Autovac Uses Autovac
Beer Festival Beer Festival
January & July
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes (320m)
Lothian Buses
Open map, zoom in and hover on bus stop symbols to see route numbers
Close to metro (675m)
Princes Street
Nearby Station (550m)
Edinburgh
Directions
Old Town, off Grassmarket

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