Leith
and the north of the city Leith
Leith was part of Edinburgh, became separate and rejoined in 1920. Technically
becomes Leith a bit down Leith Walk, the real centre is the Foot of the Walk at
the junction with Great Junction Street. Leith was a thriving port from
the middle ages. Mary Queen of Scots landed here from France in 1561 and much
trade was done with France over the years. Claret wine was one of the biggest,
being the preferred drink of the Scots establishment. Port was also a favourite
cargo, reflected in names like Grahams and Cockburn. Leith was the home
of Crabbies Green Ginger until 1997 (it is now flats) and many of the Whisky bonds
have now moved. Leith rose to prosperity in the 1800's and there are many
buildings, especially in Commercial Street and Bernard Street that are testament
to this. The Scotch Malt Whisky Society's home in 'The Vaults' in St Giles Street
also reflects the wine trade history. After a period of decline, Leith benefitted
from old related shipping. It is now a busy port with visits from cruise liners
and of course the home of the Royal Yacht Brittania. The council and government's
'Leith Project' boosted a new era of economic. The shore area, once seedy, is
now a centre for a range of new pubs and restaurants in charming surroundings. See
also http://www.leithhistory.f2s.com/ 
Alhambra Bar
227, Leith Walk
EH6 8NX
0131 554 4868
Allan Breck
159, Constitution St
EH6
7AD
0131 554 4729
Balfours
260-262, Leith Walk
EH6 5EL
0131 467 7054
Bar Java
48-50, Constitution St
EH6
6RS
0131 467 7527
Bar Sirius
7-10, Dock Place
EH6 6LU
0131 555 3344
Black Swan
23-24, Sandport Place
EH6
6EW
0131 538 3939
The Boundary Bar
379, Leith Walk Leith
EH6 8SE 0131 554 2296
Legendary story (does it really matter if it's true?)
that it strides the old border between Leith and Edinburgh. Leith's reputed more
liberal licensing laws mean that when the Edinburgh end of the bar closed at 10pm,
the custom would shuffle to the Leith end to carry on til 10.30.
Crown Bar
77, Leith Walk
EH6
8LX
0131 554 5046
Caledonian Bar
121 Leith Walk
EH6 8NP
0131 554 4839
Caley Inn
24, Portland Place
EH6 6LA
0131 554 1229
Carriers Quarters
42, Bernard St
EH6
6PR
0131 554 4122 .
Carldon Lounge
142, Duke St
EH6 8HR
0131 554 3821
Cabbage & Ribs
156-158, Albert St
EH7 5LT
0131 476 7370
The Central Bar
7, Leith Walk
EH6
8LN 0131 467 3925
At last become what it should be - one of Edinburgh's
finest looking pubs. Big horseshoe bar, Victorian cornices, tiling - it was always
a great site but in the past could be a tricky place. I was once asked to leave
in the 70's for leaving a pint on the bar when going to the toilet. "That
sort of thing jist causes trouble", I was told. It is now nothing like that
and those who have never seen it should now make the effort.
Dizzies
http://dizzys1.tripod.com
Iona Street
Dizzies
25, Buchanan St
EH6 8SQ
0131 467 7107
The Duke's Head
31 Duke St
EH6
8HH
0131 467 7493
The Dock Tavern
18-20 Salamander St Leith
EH6 7HR
0131 467 7062
EH Six
138, Leith Walk
EH6 5DT
0131
554 4238
The Elm Bar
7-8 Elm Row, Leith
Walk,
EH7
0131-557 4540
Victorian look with a large island bar
and a wee quiet neuk in the corner. Two cracking fireplaces, great wood and glass
partitions and excellent old photos of Leith - the prize being the Kirkgate before
it was desecrated. Working old railway clock and silly signs on the walls. Real
locals' bar ( four TVs) with a good variety of cask ales. Quite an unspoilt treasure
really, well worth a visit.
Gillies' Bar
1-2, Yardheads
EH6 6BU
0131 467 7109
Home's Bar
102 Constitution
St
EH6 6AW 0131 553 7710
Cosy new old fashioned bar that does it
better than most. Cask ales, myriad of old enamel adverts and a comfy wee neuk
inside the door at the bar. Very welcoming and pleasant service when we were in.
Just down from the romantically named church, St Mary's Star of the Sea.
The Hopetoun Inn
8 McDonald
Road Edinburgh
EH7 4LU 0131 556 0210
Halfway House
72, North Fort St
EH6
4HL
0131 467 7039
Handrens Bar
63-65, Henderson St
EH6
6ED
0131 554 4777
Jayne's
300, Leith Walk
EH6 5BU
0131 467 7513
Leith Oyster Bar
10, Burgess St Leith
EH6 6RD 0131 554 6294
Small traditional and attractive frontage slightly
set back and facing onto the waterfront. Larger room at back. Cosy, cask ales,
wines and good variety of food.
Lorne Bar
229, Leith Walk
EH6 8NY
0131 554 5880
The Lord Nelson
8 Trafalgar St
EH6
4DG 0131 478 2202
Traditional community pub with dominoes etc. Popular
with a wide range of locals from different walks of life. Set in an unsung area
off Ferry Road which is full of character.
Macs Bar
5, Great Junction St Leith
EH6 5HX
0131 467 7229
Marksman Bar
13, Duke St
EH6 8HG
0131 467 7632
Malt & Hops
45, Shore Leith
EH6 6QU
0131 555 0083
Nobles Bar
44a, Constitution St
EH6
6RS
0131 554 2024
How to do up and old pub and make it better. The
refurbishment some years ago has accentuated the finer points of this traditional
pub and it is a real beauty. Real ales, lunchtime food and good live bands sometimes
(check). A far cry from how it was in the 70's with its neglected central bar,
snug (for keeping my radio when I worked in the docks), and strippers - oh the
stories.....
The
Old Dock Bar - Website
3/5 Dock Place, Leith,
Edinburgh
EH6
6LU
Tel: 0131 555 4474
A Free House, which is always welcome. Review
pending but their website says "One of Leith's oldest bars established in
1813, the Old Dock Bar has been through a number of transformations over the years,
more recently as Pierre Victoire and Bar Sol. Click here for a map. It has now
reverted to its original form that is the one established many years ago - as
a pub serving real food and proper ales, boasting five hand pulled ales from an
ever changing range of beers such as Youngs, Robinsons, Woodefords, Caledonian,
Harvieston and many more" - which is good. Serves meals throughout the week. Website
has some smashing pictures of old Leith - worth a visit.
Old Toll Bar
284, Bonnington Rd
EH6
5BE
0131 554 1834
The Old Salt
17 Albert Place
EH7 5HN
0131 554 1694
Joseph Pearce's Bar
23, Elm Row
EH7 4AA
0131 556 1310
Somewhat changed from its old austere
look to a refurbished period bar on two levels with a mezzanine. Standard beers,
although the Deuchars was surprisingly good. Locals' bar with probably quite different
trade day and evening.
Port
'O Leith (website)
58 Constitution Street
EH6 6RS 0131 554
3568
Once a real seafarers drinking den and used as a bank by dockers.
Now a bit more trendy, but still has the tradition of sailors leaving hats.
Prom Bar
2, Anchorfield
EH6 4JG
0131 552 1051
Queen Charlotte Rooms
56a, Queen
Charlotte St
EH6 7ET 0131 555 6660
Once freemason's halls now very
pleasant function rooms opposite the historic Leith Police Station. Wood panelled
spacious dance/dining areas upstairs. Downstairs longish narrow bar which hedges
its best with Hearts and Hibs mirrors.
Quality Bar
17, Queen Charlotte
St
EH6 6BA
0131 467 7001
Red Lion
Leith Walk
Royal Nip
178-180, Albert St
EH7 5NA
0131 554 3828
Robbies
367 Leith Walk
EH6
0131 554 6850
Big (enlarged) traditional Leith pub but with a real seriousness
about its beer. Good range of real ales and busy local - and not so local but
regular - custom. All sorts of people tell me they drink there, but they are never
in when I go.
Roxy's
1, Mill Lane
EH6 6TJ
0131 555 6477
Slammers
44 Queen Charlotte
St
EH6 7EX
0131 554 1979
Spey Lounge
39, Leith Walk
EH6
8LS
0131 553 4258
Shrub Bar
362 Leith Walk
EH6
5BR
0131 554 5286
The Ship
24 Shore, Leith
0131
555 0409
Now seems to have added 'on the shore' to its name and concentrating
on food as a full blown restaurant. Still a nice boozer looking on to where the
Water of Leith runs into the docks in a really well remodelled area. Romantic
cobbles outside lead to the water's edge, the corner has a Hollywood feel to it.
Traditional bar which looks ten times more traditional than the old Ship pub.
That was a docks seedy dive, but also worth a visit in its time.
Slammers
44 Queen Charlotte
Street
EH6
A fresh newly refurbished bar with a good range of beers,
some malts and a variety of interesting figures on a high shelf round the bar.
The decor, though traditional, is bright and hotel-like but the welcome was warm
enough. Karaoke some nights. Shades of Dixon of Dock Green with the police
station opposite where the Leith Police Delivereth Ush (dammit, failed).
Smugglers
27 Burns St
EH6 8DS
0131 467 7352
Swanny's Bar
32 North Junction
St
EH6 6HP
0131 467 7717
The Strathmore Bar
17, Iona St
EH6 8SG
0131 554 8717
The Junction Bridge Bar
269, Great
Junction St
EH6 5LP
0131 554 4961
Victoria Bar
265, Leith
Walk
EH6 8PD
0131 554 5706
Village Inn
16, South Fort St
EH6 4DN
0131 478 7810
Vine Bar
43, North Junction St
EH6 6HS
0131 554 5986
Vintage Bar
60, Henderson St
EH6 6DE
0131 467 7095
Whitsons Bar
1, Henderson St
EH6 6BT
0131 554 3404
Windsor Buffet
45 Elm Row
EH7 4AH 0131 556 4195
A very attractive traditional pub with a commanding
bar and wee rooms off with soft benches. Raised area at the rear. Lots of knick-knacks.
Hey day when the theatre was next door which became STV studios and soon to be
media school. Real ales and wide whisky variety. Another pub where the 'wee room'
was popular for political meetings - like the night Labour and SWP tendencies
found themselves together plotting against each other.
©
2000, 2001 J.A & M.J. Stevenson | 
