Quick info
About Thistle Street Bar
Thistle Street Bar sits on Thistle St in Edinburgh, a dark wood local built around booths and a bar built for conversation. Staff pour from a wide selection of whisky and will offer a dram to try, talking through the bar's history along the way. Scottish bar food anchors the menu, and a TV carries sport for those settled in with a pint. A small beer garden gives an outdoor option beyond the booths. Dogs are welcome throughout. There's no booking system here, it runs on walk-ins, and the staff also field questions on Edinburgh sightseeing and trip recommendations for visitors passing through.
Good to know
- ParkingUsually difficult to find a space
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Menu & Prices
14 dishes- 24 Hours In Stockbridge
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention whisky selection, Edinburgh Gold Ale, local history and travel advice and acoustic music duo.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention whisky selection, Edinburgh Gold Ale, local history and travel advice and acoustic music duo.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the friendly, knowledgeable hosts and bartenders, who share advice and local history. Visitors describe the owner offering trip suggestions and Edinburgh facts, the landlord's stories about the bar's past, and a bartender who handed over a beer to try. Whisky comes close behind, with one reviewer helped through three new whiskies and others pointing to a wide selection. A pint of Edinburgh Gold Ale and good wine also draw praise, along with a refurbished interior that reviewers call cozy and clean. One reviewer mentions a duo playing acoustic music, and others note it is dog friendly. One reviewer clarifies that it serves snacks only, as a bar rather than a pub. No review raises a complaint. Several visitors dropped in before dinner or a concert, and one describes staff who called a taxi and stepped outside to hail it.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the friendly, knowledgeable hosts and bartenders, who share advice and local history. Visitors describe the owner offering trip suggestions and Edinburgh facts, the landlord's stories about the bar's past, and a bartender who handed over a beer to try. Whisky comes close behind, with one reviewer helped through three new whiskies and others pointing to a wide selection. A pint of Edinburgh Gold Ale and good wine also draw praise, along with a refurbished interior that reviewers call cozy and clean. One reviewer mentions a duo playing acoustic music, and others note it is dog friendly. One reviewer clarifies that it serves snacks only, as a bar rather than a pub. No review raises a complaint. Several visitors dropped in before dinner or a concert, and one describes staff who called a taxi and stepped outside to hail it.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Been meaning to leave this review for a couple of weeks. We popped in for a drink before dinner and had the most amazing experience. The service was fast, the owner spent probably thirty minutes giving us advice on the next leg of our trip, suggestions for around the city and general cool facts about Edinburgh. I cannot recommend stopping here enough. We loved it so much we walked to dinner and then came back because we knew they’d be closed our last day in the city. Visit this bar, check out their tours and recommendations on the website. A must visit when you’re in the mood to relax and have a cold pint.”
- Google user
“Tremendous experience and very hospitable. We dropped in for a quick pint prior to a concert and they were very knowledgeable and went above and beyond to call us a taxi and pop out to hail it for us. Will return next time in Edinburgh.”
- Google user
“Was recommended by another local pub owner and did not disappoint. Great local bar. Glad we were able to make it before trips end.”
- Google user
“Very nice bar. Definitely recommended. Many whisky alternatives. Smiley staff. Price is ok. Interior is good.”
- Google user
“We went there to grab a beer and let the bartender give us some advice. He was extremely nice and helpful, he even gave us some beer to try. The atmosphere there is really cool and cozy.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Cosy, atmospheric dark wood local with booths, Scottish bar food, TV sport and small beer garden.”
- Great beer selection
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
- Alcohol
- Cozy
Show more amenities
- Beer
- Free water refills
- Restroom
- Trendy
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Offerings· 2
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Highlights· 1
- Great beer selection
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
Location
Bars near Thistle Street Bar
- The Hanover Tap4.21,4990 mi
boozy brunch, craft beer selection, cocktails
- Boston Bar New Town4.77450 mi
spice bag, live music, cocktails
- Bramble4.71,0630.1 mi£10–20Reservations
the bramble cocktail, premixed cocktails, whisky selection
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thistle Street BarOutdoor seating · Wi-Fi | 4.7941 | — | £10–20 | whisky selection, Edinburgh Gold Ale, local history and travel advice |
| The Hanover Tap | 4.21,499 | 0 mi | — | boozy brunch, craft beer selection, cocktails |
| Boston Bar New Town | 4.7745 | 0 mi | — | spice bag, live music, cocktails |
| BrambleReservations | 4.71,063 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | the bramble cocktail, premixed cocktails, whisky selection |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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