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
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, seating
Advertisements
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention guinness pint, hand-pumped real ales, coal fireplace and whisky and gin selection.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention guinness pint, hand-pumped real ales, coal fireplace and whisky and gin selection.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the Guinness, called smooth, creamy and "top drawer", with a sandwich described as dense and well seasoned. Close behind is the welcoming crowd of regulars, who chat to newcomers and include visitors in the weekly quiz, and a football match watched with locals and tourists mixed together. Also praised are the hand-pumped ales, a wide choice of whisky, gin and local craft beers, and a lit coal fire that adds to the cosy feel. Several mention dogs in the bar, including a great dane, and friendly, quick staff. The one recurring drawback is space: the bar is small, often standing room only, and one reviewer notes limited room to sit. Several also describe it as tucked away in a residential area, away from the main street. One visitor on a Monday morning found it quiet, while a weekday afternoon visitor called it buzzing with locals and students, and another bought a round for new friends made over the match.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the Guinness, called smooth, creamy and "top drawer", with a sandwich described as dense and well seasoned. Close behind is the welcoming crowd of regulars, who chat to newcomers and include visitors in the weekly quiz, and a football match watched with locals and tourists mixed together. Also praised are the hand-pumped ales, a wide choice of whisky, gin and local craft beers, and a lit coal fire that adds to the cosy feel. Several mention dogs in the bar, including a great dane, and friendly, quick staff. The one recurring drawback is space: the bar is small, often standing room only, and one reviewer notes limited room to sit. Several also describe it as tucked away in a residential area, away from the main street. One visitor on a Monday morning found it quiet, while a weekday afternoon visitor called it buzzing with locals and students, and another bought a round for new friends made over the match.
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.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
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
- The Bailie Bar4.61,2470.2 mi
fish and chips, handmade burgers, sunday roast
- The Antiquary Bar4.56140.2 mi£10–20ReservationsOutdoor seating
sunday roast, venison pie, fish and chips
- Thistle Street Bar4.79410.3 mi£10–20Outdoor seatingWi-Fi
whisky selection, Edinburgh Gold Ale, local history and travel advice
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kay’s BarWheelchair accessible | 4.8894 | — | £10–20 | guinness pint, hand-pumped real ales, coal fireplace |
| The Bailie Bar | 4.61,247 | 0.2 mi | — | fish and chips, handmade burgers, sunday roast |
| The Antiquary BarReservations · Outdoor seating | 4.5614 | 0.2 mi | £10–20 | sunday roast, venison pie, fish and chips |
| Thistle Street BarOutdoor seating · Wi-Fi | 4.7941 | 0.3 mi | £10–20 | whisky selection, Edinburgh Gold Ale, local history and travel advice |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Bars nearby
More to explore in Edinburgh
81 places
Bars in Edinburgh
Photo: The World's End · 4.5 · 5,895 Google reviews
See all 81 bars in Edinburgh
4.5 · The Guildford ArmsPubs
43 places
4.8 · Makars Mash BarRestaurants
187 places
4.5 · Southern Cross CafeCafes
69 places