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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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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 1970s, retaining many features from its retail days. It is decorated with whisky barrels - it specialises in malt whisky. It has a public bar and a small panelled snug called the Library. Real ales and cider, also lunchtime meals.

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

Current beers

This Pub serves 3 changing beers and 3 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen
Theakston - Best Bitter
Theakston - Best Bitter Session Bitter • 3.8% Spotted 7 times
Theakston - Best Bitter
Theakston - Best Bitter

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 3.8%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 7 times
Taylor's Landlord Pump clip
Timothy Taylor - Landlord Session Bitter • 4.3% Spotted 8 times
Taylor's Landlord Pump clip
Timothy Taylor - Landlord

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 4.3%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 8 times
Fyne Ales - Jarl
Fyne Ales - Jarl Session Golden Ale • 3.8% Spotted 15 times
Fyne Ales - Jarl
Fyne Ales - Jarl

Session Golden Ale

Dispense: Handpump
ABV: 3.8%
Vegan: No
Gluten Free: No
This beer is served regularly.
Spotted 15 times
Changing

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

Source: Regional

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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
Real Ale Real 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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