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Platform 5 — Bars in Edinburgh

Platform 5

BarsEdinburgh, SCT

4 out of 5 stars4.0(3,282 reviews)

Quick info

+441313471616
8 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5DR, United Kingdom
inexpensive

About Platform 5

Platform 5 sits directly opposite Haymarket station on Clifton Terrace, a pub serving beers, spirits and classic pub grub. Orders go through a QR code or app with contactless setup, and table service brings the food out once it's placed. The menu runs from the Katsu Chicken Burger and Chicken Balmoral to a steak and ale pie, chicken, bacon and leek pie, and pulled turkey croquettes. Screens are placed throughout the room for football and other sports, and the booking site lets visitors pick a specific match to watch. It opens daily and takes walk-ins rather than reservations. Kids can come in when they're with adults ordering food. The location across from the station makes it a straightforward stop before or after travelling through Haymarket.

Reviews

4.0/5
3,282 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention chicken balmoral, contactless ordering app issues, chicken bacon leek pie and katsu chicken burger.

5★
1,318
4★
1,140
3★
506
2★
143
1★
175

Customer Review Summary

Reviewers most often return for the pub's pies, with the steak and ale pie and the chicken, bacon and leek pie both praised as generous, close behind the Katsu Chicken Burger and pints of Guinness. Also mentioned repeatedly are its location opposite Haymarket station and its many screens for football and other sports, along with staff described as friendly, including one instance where a team member swapped a screen from football to darts without fuss. Several note the food doesn't always land: one describes an hour's wait for a pre-booked table of nine, arriving to find only one steak portion left and a small serving of Chicken Balmoral, while another calls the pie portions disappointingly small. Ordering technology draws mixed reactions, with QR code and contactless systems working for some but leaving another diner without drinks until their food arrived. One reviewer's detailed account describes being served an off pint during a big match, a second pint also returned, and a manager described as dismissive when refusing a swap.

Featured reviews

  • Norwegian Driver
    “Absolutely phenomenal food, stopped by for a quick bite to eat after visiting the zoo. The bartender was such a lovely chap, the prices were surprisingly cheap and the food was amazing. We got the chicken, bacon and leek pie, and honestly i could have eaten another 4-5 of those pies. My friend got the balmorra chicken, and it was also 10/10. Only downsides was that the portion sizes could have been a bit bigger, but that might just being us being really hungry. Banger place to get a quick bite to eat.”
  • Andrew Taison
    “I visited during the World Cup final and was served a pint that was clearly off. Because I was watching the match and only sipping it occasionally, it took me a little while to realise just how bad it was. Staff acknowledged that it had probably been sitting in the lines for some time and replaced it. When the replacement arrived, I said it seemed better, although compared with the first pint, almost anything would have. Around 15 minutes later, after only another couple of sips, it was clear that the second pint was also off. I returned it almost completely full and asked to swap it for a different drink rather than risk receiving the same beer again. The manager refused because they had “already replaced it once” and insisted that, because the cask had been changed that morning, the beer was definitely fine. A fresh cask does not automatically rule out a problem with the lines or how the beer is being served. What made the experience particularly unpleasant was the manager’s attitude. He was dismissive and condescending, and spoke to me as though my opinion did not matter and I was beneath him. Rather than listening or trying to resolve a reasonable complaint, he seemed more interested in asserting his authority and making me feel uncomfortable for raising it. I appreciate that the pub was busy for the World Cup final, but that does not justify serving poor-quality beer or treating a customer this way. I was not trying to get free drinks, I had taken only two sips from the replacement and returned an almost-full pint. I simply wanted something fit to drink. Update following the pub’s response: I strongly dispute the claim that I consumed one-third of the replacement pint; it was returned almost full after only a couple of sips. I also did not confirm that I was fully satisfied with it, I said it initially seemed better than the first pint, which staff had acknowledged may have been sitting in the lines. Even accepting the pub’s disputed version, neither the passage of 15–20 minutes nor drinking part of a pint proves that the beer was fit to serve. I did not see the manager or any member of staff taste or otherwise check the returned pint before declaring it fine, although I cannot categorically say no check occurred because I was also watching the match. I was not seeking free drinks. I returned the pint and asked for a different drink because I believed the Doom Bar was off. I am particularly disappointed by the suggestion that my discomfort arose merely because I did not receive the outcome I wanted. That response reinforces my original concern about the dismissive way the complaint was handled. Greene King Customer Relations and the Area Manager are now investigating the matter.”
  • Antonio D'Ambrosio
    “We booked a table at 9:30 PM for 2 people, selecting the option of the football match “England-Panama” of the World Cup. At 7:30 PM we stopped by asking whether it was possible to come a bit earlier (at 8:30 PM) to have dinner. They told us that it was absolutely fine, since we were only two. Later, we came in for dinner and they told us that they had closed the kitchen at 7:30 PM because they had to deal with a large tour group. Basically, it was already closed when we asked before, but there was a total absence of communication between staff members. We were forced to find a last-minute option at a fast food. Also, we went there later to watch the football match (it was too late to find an alternative for Saturday evening). They gave us a table far from the TV, with the wrong football match. Why do you give the option on the website to select the occasion and the football match if then you do not provide this service? I definitely don’t recommend this place.”
  • Alexander Wilson
    “From the moment I walked into this pub, I felt at home. Traveling abroad can sometimes make you feel like an outsider, but that was never the case here. The atmosphere is welcoming, the people are friendly, and the staff genuinely make you feel like part of the community. A special thank you to Darren behind the bar. From the first day I came in, Darren made me feel welcome and took the time to chat, offer recommendations, and make sure I was taken care of. I’ll definitely be back the next time I’m in Scotland. Cheers from an American traveler! 🍻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿”
  • Lynn McBride
    “Just opposite Haymarket station so really convenient. Screens in different locations so great for us sports fans. Service was great, very friendly and quick. Only had a drink, and prices were reasonable for Central Edinburgh. Others I spoke to said the food was pretty good, but I have not rated it as I didn't have any myself. Kids are allowed in with adults if they are having food. We'll worth a visit”

Hours

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Good to know

“Relaxed boozer with stylish interiors furnishing beers, spirits & classic pub grub.”

  • Reservations
    Walk-in only

Location

Bars near Platform 5

Platform 5
4.03,282
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  • Beehive Inn4.23,542
    0.8 mi

    steak and ale pie, historic old-world atmosphere, loud music and tvs

  • 0.8 miWheelchair accessible

    guinness pints, coal fireplace, hidden residential location

The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.

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