Rose Street is famous for many a pub crawl with a pub
every few yards for almost a mile. This narrow and lively
street is now pedestrianised, and has many food outlets,
smaller shops and access to some of the big stores.
Lanes serve the back entrances of the shops and businesses on Prince Street and George Street and is crossed by Castle, Frederick and Hanover streets, opening out to Charlotte Square on the west and St Andrews Square on the east. We include pubs in the immediate area too.
Some Rose Street pubs have remained unchanged for a century and are Edinburgh institutions. Others have evolved and changed many times.
The Abbotsford
3-5 Rose Street
0131 225 5276
Built originally for Jenners across the street, this early 1900 listed building was designed by Henderson who also did Leslies in Ratcliffe Terrace. Island bar, restaurant food upstairs with good menu including Cullen Skink. Real ales, good selection of whiskies. A gem of a pub architecturally with a real Edinburgh feel.
Auld Hundred
100 Rose Street
EH2
Fascinating old style pub on two levels with neuks and crannies. Wonder where it got its name?
Brecks
110-114, Rose St
EH2 3JF 0131 225 3297
Nice central island bar with imaginative bar meals and snacks. Pictures of RL Stevenson (Alan Breck, Kidnapped) and a cosy room off. Lively at weekends but still a good place for a chat. Some cask ale, range of whiskies and wines. Was the Goblet which was one of the 'in' places of the 60's/70's set. Its two bars were knocked into one.
Dirty Dicks Bar
159, Rose St
EH2 4LS 0131 225 4610
E-mail belowthebeltfoodco@hotmail.com
Imaginative traditional look on the sight of an older bar. Variety of real ales well kept and food served all day. Almost as much a restaurant as a pub with seating out on to Rose Street. Despite its size it has a cosy almost rural feel with dark wood and musical instruments hanging up. Takes its beer and food seriously. Friendly service. Sister pub to Clever Dicks in the Royal Mile.
Filthy McNasty's
Rose Street
Bills itself as a 'Braw Heilin Howff' which was fair jumpin' when we visited on a Sunday. Big window that opens out onto the street.
The Fling & Firkin
49, Rose St
EH2 2NH 0131 225 6362
Lively corner bar with tables out onto Rose Street. Real ales and usual spirits selection in what used to be Paddy's Bar
Gordon Arms
135 Rose Street
You'll find regulars in all Rose Street pubs, but the Gordon Arms makes being a local an art. Through all the phases of Rose Street it has managed to stay almost exactly the same with a reputation of a no-nonsense pub. Small traditional bar with authentic interior, cottage-style plate shelf and an imposing gantry.
Hogshead
22, Rose St
EH2 3HT 0131 226 1224
Real ales in a bright basement. Serves food day and evening. Very busy at weekends.
The Kenilworth
152 Rose Street
0131 226 4835
Dating from about 1900 as a pub, but going back further, the Kenilworth has retained and built on its charm over the years. In the 70's was popular as a gay bar. Now a mixture of locals and tourists. Real ales, food all day and family and children room. Worth pausing outside to admire the first floor windows.
Milne's Bar
35, Hanover St and 21 Rose Street
EH2 2PJ 0131 225 6738
Once the drinking hole of famous and emerging poets with photos and documents to prove it. Frequented from the 50's by McDairmid, McCaig and the likes, it boasts a 'Little Kremlin' room. A basement entrance on Hanover Street and continental style open-up front onto Rose Street with seats outside. Very lively at weekends and a range of good beers.
Olivers
178a, Rose St
EH2 4BA 0131 220 3933
Tartan seats back on to a window that opens out to the street. A lively pub in a lively part of the street.
Robertsons 37 Bar
37, Rose St EH2 2NH
0131 225 6185
Established 1901 and still famous for its long gantry of whiskies.
Rose & Crown
170, Rose St
EH2 4BA
0131 225 4039
The Rose Street Brewery
55, Rose St
EH2 2NH 0131 220 1227
Used to be the White Cockade moons ago, we think. Like so many pubs in the area nowadays it has an 'open-out' front that make the bar part of the street and vice versa. However it retains its traditional look and feel. Originally came in as a pub that brewed its own real ales.
Scott's Bar
202 Rose St
EH2 4AZ 0131 225 7401
Largely unchanged over the years, a traditional corner pub with the bar unusually backing on to the street side. Real ales, range of wines and food served. Was 'Ma Scott's' after the famous Mrs Scott who was one of three not-to-be-messed-with women publicans of the Abbotsford and Old Chain Pier.