Kay’s Bar
Quick info
About Kay’s Bar
On a corner of Jamaica Street West in Edinburgh's New Town, Kay's Bar is a Victorian pub built around wooden barrel decor and a library kept for guest draught beers. Hand-pumped real ale runs alongside whisky, gin, and local craft beers, with Guinness among the regular pours, and the kitchen turns out plain lunches. A coal fire is often lit, and the room stays small, with exposed stone walls, original signage, and cast-iron pillars leaving standing room only at busy times. It operates on a walk-in basis, and a weekly quiz draws in regulars alongside tourists and newcomers. Dogs are welcome at the bar.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, seating
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention guinness pints, coal fireplace, hidden residential location and friendly dogs at bar.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention guinness pints, coal fireplace, hidden residential location and friendly dogs at bar.
Customer Review Summary
Guinness poured smooth and creamy draws repeat praise, with several reviewers singling it out alongside a dense, well-seasoned sandwich. Close behind sits the cask ale and whisky, gin, and local craft beer selection, often enjoyed by a lit fireplace amid exposed stone walls and cast-iron pillars. Reviewers consistently describe a cozy, tucked-away corner pub where regulars and staff draw newcomers into conversation, whether during a weekly quiz, a football match, or standing room only crowds. Dogs are repeatedly welcomed in, with visitors mentioning meeting other owners and their pets inside. Service is called friendly and efficient throughout, and several note the pub sits off the main street in a residential area, calling the detour worth the effort. The only recurring drawback mentioned is limited seating, with one reviewer noting room to sit can be scarce. Multiple visitors describe returning on repeat Edinburgh trips just to drop in for a pint.
Customer Review Summary
Guinness poured smooth and creamy draws repeat praise, with several reviewers singling it out alongside a dense, well-seasoned sandwich. Close behind sits the cask ale and whisky, gin, and local craft beer selection, often enjoyed by a lit fireplace amid exposed stone walls and cast-iron pillars. Reviewers consistently describe a cozy, tucked-away corner pub where regulars and staff draw newcomers into conversation, whether during a weekly quiz, a football match, or standing room only crowds. Dogs are repeatedly welcomed in, with visitors mentioning meeting other owners and their pets inside. Service is called friendly and efficient throughout, and several note the pub sits off the main street in a residential area, calling the detour worth the effort. The only recurring drawback mentioned is limited seating, with one reviewer noting room to sit can be scarce. Multiple visitors describe returning on repeat Edinburgh trips just to drop in for a pint.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Warm, welcoming, vibrant atmosphere in here. We visited on a week day afternoon and it was buzzing. Lots of locals and students having a great time. Efficient service and a great selection of beers and sprits. A little off the main street but worth the effort.”
- Google user
“I just love this little bar, tucked away in a residential area. I don’t even remember how I found it, but I’m glad I did. Every time I visit Edinburgh, which is several times a year, I try to drop in for at least a pint. Last time there, I brought my wife and introduced her to this quaint wee pub.”
- Google user
“I don’t know if I can add anything meaningful here other than to say this was an amazingly fun time with locals and tourists mixed. We watched football- they ribbed me for supporting England - and we all enjoyed the match for two hours. I bought a round for my new best friends and walked out into the evening happy, a little tipsy and so happy.”
- Google user
“Kay's Bar was our favorite pub of our entire Scotland trip. It is a true hidden gem with a cozy, welcoming atmosphere, an excellent selection of beer, and outstanding service. We instantly felt like locals, and it was the kind of place you want to settle into and stay for hours. If you are looking for an authentic Scottish pub experience away from the crowds, do not miss Kay's Bar.”
- Google user
“Kay’s Bar is a bit off the beaten path on a corner of Jamaica Street West in the New Town. It's the ‘local’ of an Edinburgh friend, which is how I found it. A typical Victorian cask-ale house, serving hand-pumped ‘real ale’, it's full of regulars catching up with one another, who are also happy to chat to newcomers. It’s often standing room only, making conversation with neighbours almost necessary, and it has a great friendly neighbourhood vibe. Named for John Kay & Sons, wine merchants who traded from here for over 100 years, there are some interesting well-preserved Victorian features such as original signage, great exposed stone walls and bright red cast-iron pillars.”
Highlights
“Cosy Victorian pub with wooden barrel decor and a library for guest draught beers and plain lunches.”
- Great beer selection
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
- Alcohol
- Cozy
- Beer
Show more amenities
- Food
- Restroom
- Offerings· 2
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Highlights· 1
- Great beer selection
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Bars near Kay’s Bar
- Rose Street Brewery4.42,6440.3 mi
haggis, fish and chips, burgers
- Indigo Yard4.22,2420.4 miWheelchair accessible
set menu offered late, wings, slow service at bar
- 0.4 mi
haggis bon bons, chocolate tart, lamb salad
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kay’s BarWheelchair accessible | 4.8894 | — | guinness pints, coal fireplace, hidden residential location |
| Rose Street Brewery | 4.42,644 | 0.3 mi | haggis, fish and chips, burgers |
| Indigo YardWheelchair accessible | 4.22,242 | 0.4 mi | set menu offered late, wings, slow service at bar |
| Rollo Restaurant & Wine Bar | 4.7196 | 0.4 mi | haggis bon bons, chocolate tart, lamb salad |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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