The first time I visited the Brass Monkey I thought it was going to be just your typical Edinburgh pub. However, to my surprise it had something a bit more to offer. At first, you are presented with the bar which serves your typical range of drinks, including some fine ale's. There are a limited number of seating areas, with many people instead leaning on the walls throughout the bar. However, when you go through in the back, you are presented with a room which is full of bed mattresses. Yes, this is the bar where you can lay back and chill. Cushions surround this back room and add to its comfort. Films are shown in here at times, obviously a great place for that. The bar has a range of quirky decorative items on the walls and contributes to the quirkiness of the place. Go on give it a try, I dare you to try and carry a tray of drinks on top of the mattresses! read more

What the Bejesus?!?!?!?!?!! They've taken out the cinema from Brass Monkey. But..but...but now it's just a pub. Some utter arsehole has taken out all the beds and replaced them with proper tables. Grrrr. Well hopefully this is just for the festival, and will resort to being one of the quirkier pubs in Edinburgh. By now everyone pretty much knows that Brass Monkey is half pub, half indie-esque cinema. There is a huge bed, with a load of mattresses squashed together and tables in the middle, fitting about 20 odd people on it. In front of this they've put up a big projector screen so you can see a really good selection of cult films. This is how all cinemas should be, chilling out with booze and food on a bed. The only downside is that there is sometimes a certain foot-ish smell lingering around. The rest of the bar is tiny but pretty cool. The toilets are behind an old saloon style wall, where they have a list of all the available films. The bar is pretty small and cramped but they have a good range of drinks, including £2.50 cocktails. The staff are all friendly and it's overall a really cool place to drink read more

I love the Brass Monkey, yes it's grubby, yes it's a tad grimey, yes it's full of students (sorry) but I've been hard pushed to find a bar with a better atmosphere in the city! An absolute local gem (+ the bed and cinema adds to the charm!) Ess read more

I used to spend a lot of time in Edinburgh, but I never got to experience and good pubs there. Now I'm going out with someone domiciled in Edinburgh, it's good to actually go to good pubs. I liked the Brass Monkey. For Edinburgh City Centre, the prices are pretty good. For a pint of Beer and a vodka and lemonade it was only £6.40. The prices are practically Glaswegian! I liked the atmosphere too. There were plenty of places to sit, through the back, they have these massive beds you can sit on. The music was decent too. My favourite part of the Brass Monkey was the retro arcade game. We had a game of Pac Man which, as two dyspraxics, we were obviously terrible at. read more

This is my favourite pub in Edinburgh largely on account of the large bed in one of its rooms. There's lots of pillows and little specially designed tables with little drink holders. You can take of your shoes and relax and it is a great place for a lazy gathering with your friends. The interiors are amazing in this room film posters, often with monkey-style twists (12 'brass monkeys). For some reason it reminds me of opium den pictures. People laid back getting steadily intoxicated. It also helps that the music is usually pretty awesome. The drinks are alright although I am pretty much in love with the fact they offer cocktails. My favourite cocktail there are the Strawberry Daiquiris - very yummy. The other excellent thing about this bar is that the room with the 'bed' also doubles as a screening room and films are shown daily at about 2pm (you often get to choose if you buy a round of drinks) You can also buy rather cheap lunches at this bar with soup, sandwiches and muffins on offer. I've personally never tried food here yet but maybe I should. I think the only reason I can not give this place 5 stars is that is rather small. This can be a problem when it is busy. It's quite sad when you can't get some room on the giant bed. read more

This hidden gem is quirky and funwhat bad can you say about a bar that features a room that is basically one humongous bed? You can play Sultan for the afternoon, lounging on pillows and downing the booze. Fabulous. On certain nights, they play classically great movies (the Godfather, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Terminator 2, etc) for free. Almost entirely local clientele, the service is a bit cold, perhaps chafed by the heavily student-ish age of guests. Still, a great spot and well worth a visit. read more

If chilling-out on a humongous communal bed is your bag then you really should check out this excellent pub. Because of this unique feature, the Brass Monkey has a great atmosphere with most of the regulars being relaxed and friendly. Bed-sharing aside, The Brass Monkey has a great array of drinks, good choice of background music and is in a really good location to start a night out on the tiles in Auld Reekie. If you don't feel like hitting the beers, the Brass Monkey still has much to offer. Why not relax on the aforementioned bed, watch one of a number of great films on the big screen and sip on a pineapple juice? A true Edinburgh institution! read more

The Brass Monkey has to be considered a great place based on sheer originalitythere is no other pub with a huge communal bed and big screen to watch films!! There are regular film showings so film fans who love a good drink this will be the place for you. Films and bed aside there is a normal seating area for those people that wish to have a normal pint. There is the usually spectrum of drinks and good food is offered until late. There is also many board games that you can get access to if you wish to. The only problems I would have with the Brass Monkey is that it is quite dark and can be a bit dirty at time (certainly the last time I went). However, if you are going with friends or partners to watch a film or kick back on a huge bed there really is no arguing that you will love this bar! read more

Brass Monkey is a little gem of a pub. I discovered a couple of years back during the Edinburgh festival, and found it a really cool place to chill and have a few beers. The cute and friendly bar staff provide good chat if you wanna sit by the bar and enjoy an ale or two. Alternatively, walk through the back and you'll find a pretty awesome chill out spot. There's no seats through here - it's much better than that. There's a mountain of cushions and one can just slip of one's shoes and relax in a really pleasant environment. Brass Monkey also shows films and is really popular with arty types. read more

One of the best pubs in the city, this place seems to have everything - reasonably priced drinks, a humongous bed in the back with a large screen in front of it, a pacman machine, regular seating areas - simply everything. Thus, if you find out when the rather regular showings are, you can come into the pub, order yourself a drink or two, then go through to the back, lie down on the gigantic, comfortable bed, pick a cushion to get even comfier, and then lean back, enjoy a great film, and get drunk at the same time. Score! read more

This bar has a really cool vibe about it. The main rooom consists of several beds all chucked together and everyone just lies about on them and watches TV its such a cool place to have a drink with mates and chill out. The seating area is not verty big but this doesnt really matter as most people just go for the beds. Its quite cheap too which is always a bonus! read more

Was here during a weekday night, and as soon as I walked in I felt the how cosy this great wee pub was. The main attraction of The Brass Monkey is the back lounge area. A huge bed takes up most of the room replacing seats, cushions scattered around it, and adds that homely and cosy feel which makes you feel very comfortable in the bar. The Brass Monkey can get a little crowded due to it's popularity clashing with small-ish size, but if you can find a decent spot for your night then you're always guaranteed to have a grand night here. Prices are reasonable, nothing too over-priced and bar staff, a bit lacking in charm, are a bit soulless but can be put up with. A great wee pub, and a must-go! read more

This place is supposed to have great flicks in the back room, and some live music on Saturdays (Blues, oh yeah). I will make it, I keep telling myself I will. My visit was with some locals. We took up our seats by the fire, which earns them huge points. The disinterested bartender did deign to make me a whiskey manhattan, telling me they don't do cocktails, and charging 7 for it. Bit steep, but what could I do? I ask for wifi, get the password, and in the 90min there not once did it connect. There goes the idea of this as a regular after school hangout. But the old timers added some charm, the fire was warm, and I had whiskey. Cheers. read more

What. A. Pub. There aren't many pubs which make you think: This will be a good place to come with our hangovers tomorrow (unless you're in Eastenders and there is nowhere else to go BUT the Queen Vic). Not only does Brass Monkey have an excellent selection of beers and ciders at the bar, it has fun staff too and a sound track that smacks you in the face with tune after tune like Peggy Mitchell on a Christmas special. On top of the great atmosphere and plentiful (cheap) beverages; the place has a cinema in the back. A cinema! All laid out with comfy cushions and low lighting and little tables which have holes in to hold your pint (a stroke of genius when drinking in the dark). When enough people are lying about in the cinema the staff bob in and open up the Lost Ark of DVDs where you can pick pretty much anything you want, and once everyone is agreed on what to watch and has a pint the movie gets rolling free of charge, only interrupted when the staff offer up chips and replenishment of drinks. Heaven. read more

Pub Quiz Wednesday nights, which has multiple rounds! Super fun crowd, great drink prices, local vibe. Highly recommend, would go back.

This was such a great pub! First off, the atmosphere was excellent, good lighting, great price for pints (£3.20-4.20), the seating was cozy and the music was at a good level. Conversation was nice because the seating was somewhat close to others on the coaches and what not, but that helped strike up conversations with other people. The bathrooms were kept tidy, unlike many pubs I've been too. The people there were overall just friendly, and outgoing. The decor was great, movie posters all over of classics. This place was a hole in the wall pub, if you are up for a good beer at a great price I would highly recommend this place! read more

will agree with sarah- it is hard to get served when its busy. my group of 8 were there earlier today and it we were the only ones there and it was still a bit hard to get served. other than the service and the toilets, which i think are a bit crap as the only two stalls are next to eachothers in a mini room so you can hear your date doing their biz if you hit the can at the same time, this place is good. they do a cheap lunch special of a soup/sammy and a pint/pop for 3.50 i think and every day they show a movie at 3 in a room with pillows for a floor. good quiz machine thing with erotica spot the difference, which i am a sucker for. good little mini room in the back that you can take over with your group of friends. usually a token nut job a the bar. read more

I shouldn't write this review. Not only should I not write this review, I should also go out of my way to hire the semi-terrorist hacker group ANONYMOUS to have all other reviews erased. This place is my Dream Pub, and I don't like sharing my dreams with anyone other than my overpaid psychotherapist. There are several layers of "cool" that pervade this little piece of Heaven. The first thing that I observed when I entered was that everyone, patrons and staff alike, were smiling. It was like crashing a party on Planet Prozac. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and that is a rare commodity. That was "found a fiver in my old trousers" cool. Secondly, the Bar staff. Though tending an absolutely slammed bar, they went out of their way on multiple occasions to help me in my selection of draughts (which there were plenty) AND rums (which there were too many). That was "Marlon Brando in The Wild One" cool. Finally, there were the regulars - and I have to elaborate a bit on this particular point...A Bar or Pub, in my mind, is made or broken by the type of patronage it acquires. Having said that, I can only describe hanging with the regulars at Brass Monkey as being much akin to coming home to an extended family for a celebration; a family that you actually LIKE. THAT was " '68 Comeback Elvis" cool. The music was provided by Bar staff with a masterful knowledge of Spotify, and I left with (Damn them!) a long list of new artists to acquire. The décor is Hipster, but not college freshman with a poster print of Dali and low top Converse Hipster...More Ben Folds Five's second album Hipster. Eclectic, but not morose or elitist. I didn't eat, so I can't review the food, and why should I? Yes, they serve wonderful food, I'm sure, but your mouth should be too occupied with drinking and bantering to eat. I love this place, and it will forever hold a special place in my heart. I met some amazing people here, and my visits to 14 Drummond Street were the highlight of my trip. I'm actually planning another trip to Edinburgh, sans sightseeing, Brass Monkey-centric. Monkey Staff, consider yourself warned! read more

I love this place. This used to always be my favourite pub in Edinburgh because it has a relaxed vibe and has beds in the back room!!! yes that's right!!! beds you can chill on while your having your drink. amazing. read more

Going to add my approval to the growing list of Brass Monkey fans. A few steps off the beaten tourist track will get you into one of the most charm filled pubs in Edinburgh. A tone of great beers, good atmosphere, and an open fire on cold winter nights make this my top pub pick. The highlight is a back-room filled with cushions and vintage movie posters, perfect for chilling out after a hard day at uni. read more

You know those places where you almost wonder if you even went to the right place? This is one of those places for me... I trekked here with a friend on a pseudo rainy afternoon expecting magic, and it just wasn't there. It wasn't necessarily bad, but I just had more in mind. Now, expectations aside it was still a bit of a shocking visit... essentially down to one of the bar staff that I'm hoping was new. I don't want to single anyone out, but it was just one thing after another with this particular gentlemen / lady... yes, I know which one he or she was, but that's just for me to know! The first thing was no big deal, a lady down from us at the bar asked for change for whatever reason and was told by the first bartender that they weren't allowed to give change and that she would have to buy something else... a little odd given that the lady had been drinking there and as such had made multiple purchases, but a rule is a rule I thought... until the lady asked a subsequent bartender for a bag of crisps (or some type of snack) so that she could get change to which the other bartender responded "I could just give you change if that's all you need". Second random occurrence was I asked if I could leave my card and start a tab rather than run separate transactions and I was told that he / she would love to, but that it would be against Scottish law... I advised that I normally do this at other bars in Edinburgh, but was told that it couldn't have been possible and that there must have been some mistake... I digressed, as I learned long ago you shouldn't argue with bartenders... they are near royalty, after all. The third strike (this is all within 15 minutes, keep in mind) was when my friend ordered an Old Fashioned... the response, "an old fashioned what?"... so we just went with two unmemorable drinks (I honestly can't recall what they were, but we didn't love them) and headed to the back. Now I'm assuming that the stars just didn't align this particular evening, because truth be told if this experience was replicated a few more times I wouldn't even give three stars... I'm giving the benefit of the doubt since others seems to have had really good experiences here. Yes, the place is cool in the back, but the beds in bars concept loses a little bit of the novelty for me personally since Evil Eye in York has had this for as many years as I can remember... and they can rock a killer cocktail. I'm not in a rush to get back here, but I will definitely check it out again as I don't want to leave an unjust review based on one visit... I'm wondering if your opinion on this place can have something to do with what you expect from a cocktail bar, as I had also read elsewhere this was one of the top cocktail bars in Edinburgh, which scares me a bit! (I love a good cocktail.) I was a bit relieved that Dragonfly, despite a location dangerously close to Grassmarket, had a great in house Old Fashioned for order... Grapefruit and Maple Syrup where in it I believe, it wasn't on the menu, but I saw it recommended here on Yelp and they were happy to make it and didn't seem surprised at all that I requested it. (It may have been on a board somewhere and just escaped my notice.) Wait, where was I? Sorry, getting thirsty now. Brass Monkey for now is somewhere I can definitely see myself having a good time in, given the right mindset and expectations, but not somewhere I would go for an amazing cocktail... to be continued! read more

This place's reviews greatly exceed its reality. The seating, while cool and creative, is actually really difficult and uncomfortable for any group over a few people. The lounge/couch areas in the back room are great for two or three, but any more than that is an awkward squeeze. There are a couple of cramped tables in that room as well, which seat no more than four. In the space between the bar and the back room, there's one large table that can accommodate about ten, if you're lucky enough to snag it. I had read in other reviews that the music in this place was kept at a moderate volume that allowed for comfortable conversation. Not even a little. I spent my whole night here screaming at the people next to me, and we still couldn't hear each other - never mind trying to talk to anyone more than 10cm from my face. If the club-esque volume is what you're looking for, then no problems, but I was seduced by some false information about this place being laid-back and good for group chat. The 'food' offerings consist of crisps and pre-made supermarket sandwiches at the bar, and the drinks, while fine, are to-the-letter-of-law strength. You will get exactly an ounce of liquor per cocktail, and the owners will be pleased to know that no level of generosity in tipping the bar staff results in their exceeding this amount of liquor in any drink. It took me twice as many drinks as usual to start feeling any buzz. The unisex bathroom, the hottest topic of this place short of the lounge, is fine as far as it goes, but a predictably bad idea when the place is crawling with drunk people. At least one woman I know had a man demand her immediate attention to his naked junk in there, and I had some problems with a couple of incredibly creepy, rapey guys outside having a smoke. Edinburgh is generally the least gross city I know of - I never have problems with men or have to feel unsafe here, and at this bar it happened to two of my group in one night. Mind the crowd at Brass Monkey, and take care you're not sexually assaulted in the toilet. read more

Good beer, fun live music by my friend Amie Amis. Friendly crowd. What more could you ask for?

Ehhhh.... A mate and I came here last Friday night for a pint, which after queuing for about 5 minutes in the relatively uncrowded bar area of the pub, we actually got. I saw a review on Yelp saying there was a cinema in the back. I didn't see a cinema, but while exploring the pub we found a sketchy men's bathroom which appeared to be in a converted wardrobe, and a large room full of beds/couches/something. This may in fact be the cinema room, but I couldn't tell. I also couldn't tell what the furniture was exactly because it was covered with hippies (and a few hipsters.) Neither of which I'm particularly fond of. Quickly U-turning out of this room we found another room. Also packed, but this one definitely more hipster than hippie. In it was perhaps the pub's only saving grace - a Donkey Kong machine. However, I couldn't get near it because it would have involved climbing over a few "vintage"-clad youth. While i'm sure it would have been "ironic" I didn't want to interrupt their conversation about whatever it is you learn when you study Sociology. So yeah. Pricey beers, nowhere to sit, shit craic. Definitely not for me. read more

I'm in love with Edinburgh and the Brass Monkey is perfectly representative of the Edinburgh way of life. Easy going and cozy, my only complaint is that I don't live here and can't frequent this place. I want to open up a bar like this; there needs to be more places where you can cuddle and drink. This place is actually the coolest. read more

Nice wee pub in Edinburgh city center. I really enjoy sitting at the room with the beds they have on the back. It feels very cozy and cool!

Another wonderful experience in Edinburgh. This was a great local dive bar. It looks like the kind of place locals would go to. They had comfortable couches in the back and chest playing tables as well. The staff was friendly and welcoming and so were the patrons. read more

This is a great wee bar, emphasis on the wee but its ace. Cool individual design, love the open fire in the winter, the little room through the back and the amazing giant lounging bed/cinema room. I have met some really great people in there, both behind and in front of the bar. It is a number 1 destination for anyone who works/lives around Drummond street. If you stop off for a coffee at 'Black Medicine' you will recognise the same clientele later in the night frequenting the Brass Monkey. Good times. read more

Went with some friends that had rented out the movie room. The bar was small and seemed normal, got a drink but had it in the movie room. The idea was cool but the movie room was small and the seating area that more like a lounge area with pillows was super dirty and gross. One of the speakers was broken so it changed the mood of the movie for sure. Based on the cleanliness alone I would never go back.. but the concept was cool . read more

Popular haunt for all types (you'll be lucky to get a seat after 9 any night of the weekend) serving a good range of beers & spirits. Interesting mixed toilets deal going on. read more

Love Brass Monkey- it's a bit small, a bit grotty, it has a massive bed, cheap drinks, shows movies, was better pre smoking ban but it's not their fault; i love it. Good bar staff too. read more

The Brass Monkey is a great pub, offering reasonably priced drinks and regularly screening good films. It has a kind of bohemian atmosphere - the walls are papered with movie posters which is pretty cool - but is generally just a cosy and relaxed place to chill out with a drink and to watch whatever happens to be showing. Oh, and if you head there, I recommend hanging out in the room with the cushions. Its great. read more

If you want to be surrounded by shoeless students with frequently smelly feet who fall over you on thir way to the bar, htis is the place to be, personally, not my style, I prefer to walk on the floor and keep my shoes on when out in public! read more

Really great bar just of Nicholson Street. Busy but there is a little gem hidden in the back - a room that is basically one big bed. Although a little smelly at times, it is so relaxing to sit in there with a pint and chat with mates. They play films (not sure of the times) but it's a great place. Doesn't seem to get too full of students despite it being in a student area. The staff are slightly cold, but nothing too bad. I love this bar. read more

As a newbie to Edinburgh I'm always on the look-out for good pubs and with the Brass Monkey I found one. This place is small but full of character and when I was there last Saturday night it had a great atmosphere. The clientele was a mixed bag with trendy-student types as well as a more casual, older crowd; the good thing about the Brass Monkey is you can turn up in jeans and a jumper or be wearing your gladrags and not feel out of place. For a pub, the music was a bit too loud for my liking (one does not like to shout over a pint) however, the character and atmosphere will make me return again. And again. read more

A great place to go to for language lessons or just to chill out. The back room would be a dance floor in any other bar, but works so much better as a chill out zone. read more

An after work pint and chilling out on what appears to be a humongous bed, winding down after that grueling shift or those countless meetings has never been so good or so easy. A vibrant drinking spot full of character and laidback charm, The Brass Monkey attracts a heady mix of customers looking for a decent pint and stimulating conversation or possibly just to lounge on the bed and watch movies. Some good times awaits you here...go visit! read more

Renowned and hailed in Edinburgh's pub folklore as a bohemian little boozer The Brass Monkey is popular with students. Every Thursday they have cinema showing in the back room-always busy. Lively on the weekends. read more

This place is amazing! A good place to hang out with pals and have a casual drink the service is good and friendly. One of the main reasons I love it sooooo much more than other bars is because of the screen out back where you can sit on a HUGE sofa and watch films at you will. This is what makes Brass Monkey a favorite place to go drinking and just chill out with friends. Definitely worth a visit! read more

A very funky little bar. Formerly a serious student haunt it seems far more civilised these days. Average drinks, average prices, and average service Brass Monkey is, of course, saved by its giant bed out the back. Usually far too warm, a little smelly, and too busy it is, nonetheless, a very cool place to catch up with mates. Don't think about what may have been spilt where you're sitting. Oh, and in case you're wondering why the midget tables on the bed have lots of holes in they're TO PUT YOUR PINT IN. Carefully balanced drinks on a giant bed aren't a good mix so have a think the next time you sit down! read more