We had a brief stop in The Bow Bar on our last night in Edinburgh to night-cap the evening and the city, based on a recommendation from staff at the Whisky shop across the street. It's towards the bottom of the famous "Victoria Street" as it turns into Bow Street. They have a fantastic selection of whisky along with a knowledgeable staff who can guide you through a choice if, like us, you're not exactly sure what you want. I wonder how many times tourists wander into the bars of Scotland begging earnestly for whisky guidance. We certainly did it a number of times on this trip. We were well served here and enjoyed the Scapa dram which we were given. It's easily walked to from anywhere in Old Town, just a few steps up from Grassmarket or a couple of minutes from the top of Victoria Street. If whisky is your destination, The Bow Bar will serve you well. read more

The Bow Bar - From Orkney! - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Heard about this on reddit. Got place to try out some scotch Great selection of scotch here. Long list and I hadn't heard about most of them . Reasonable prices. 10-20 per dram generally Knowledgeable staff provided great recommendations. I ended up loving one so much picked up a bottle from a nearby store. read more

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100% old school bar in the old part of Edinburgh. I have no idea how long the place has been open, but the building itself appears to have been there for a very long time. The selection of beers is quite good - lots of local stuff from which to pick. Also, some standard selections as well. They also had a nice selection of scotch if that is your thing. Service was quite good as well. I found it a great spot to relax while checking out the old part of the city. Couple of pints and off we went. N*joy! read more

The Bow Bar - Tasty pint. You should get one.. - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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If you want an old school real bar, real ale and massive whisky selection and staff who care, know about the subject. This was by far the best pub in Edinburgh for me. No food. read more

The Bow Bar - Bar - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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A fantastic selection of cask ales, bottled beer and whiskys. That's it. But that's more than enough for me. Pull up a chair and have a drink. read more

The Bow Bar - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

This divey little place has an interesting mix in its clientele. Lots of tourists come in for a drink, but so do the hardcore locals. It makes for a great time. The bar staff is knowledgeable about whiskies and will steer you in the right direction if you aren't well-versed in that field. There is also an ample selection of beers here if whisky isn't your cup of tea. read more

Had a great time here chatting with others in the bar. Top notch place with access to a wonderful area.

Best selection of rare and outstanding whisky. Super friendly and helpful staff. "Old man bar" vibes in a small space.

Absolutely fantastic pies and very nice staff I would highly recommend coming here if you are visiting this here if you are visiting the castle. read more

Great whisky tasting. Recommend also mulled cider with rum. Location is good as well. read more

The Bow Bar - Bar - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Our favorite bar in Edinburgh! Laid back, friendly, quieter bar focused on craft beer and Scotch. Incredibly knowledgeable staff about beer and Scotch here. We had amazing conversations with the bartenders throughout the evening. As a craft beer nerd, they had tons of local craft beers on tap and on cask including Tempest, Liverpool Organic, Wild Beer Co, and some other sours and imperial stouts. All served perfectly in correct glassware, at the right temperature, and with proper foam. Everything was reasonably priced. A nice change of pace compared to other bars (and clubs) in Grassmarket. Highly recommended! read more

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Nice traditional pub just off the royal mile on Victoria street. Good selection of local beers on draft and in bottles. Mixture of tourists and locals. Comfortable and friendly. Clean large women's bathroom . read more

A DELIGHTFUL little pub (I say little, but let's be real, most pubs in Scotland are quite small when compared to the US, and that's a positive thing) on Victoria's Street, the Diagon Alley inspiration. It's charming, it's small, it's delightfully lively when there are lots of people in there. It's a fun place with service as great as their selection of whisky. One of the bartenders even wrote us a big note with a ton of suggestions of things to do on Skye, as his parents are from Skye and we were heading there eventually during our trip. Fabulous location, wonderful selection of drinks, and a great atmosphere to make new friends. We honestly could not ask for more. read more

Totally local. Great spot to meet up with your mates and talk shit. Not loud, very chill and the bartender is totally helpful if you are a newbie. Cheers! read more

The Bow Bar - Refreshing ales. - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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I was very happy with the Bow Bar on my recent visit to Edinburgh. For being in the heart of the tourist area, it felt very authentic. If you're a whisky fan, stopping here is a must. The bartenders are extremely well versed on their 300 bottles, and seem to enjoy taking the time to find the right whisky for each person. We didn't have a chance to try the pies, but you are able to bring in some cheese and crackers from the neighboring shop. read more

Small bar behind the castle. Beer selection is by the loch ness brewery plus sone bottled beers. The bar excels in its whiskey selection as they could be in excess of100. Seating is benches along the wall with a small narrow table in front. There are sone chairs as well. Food is extremely limited to a small selection of pies 5 on the day of my visit. No gf ones but it is the place to come for whisky. read more

The Bow Bar - All beer by the loch ness brewery. This is one of 11 - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

The Bow Bar is stubbornly refusing the modern pubs without cocktails and the works. Instead it retains it's original, old-man pub character. The decor looks like it hasn't been changed since it was first opened but it somehow works. Smiles are sparse and if you come in asking for a cosmo you may be asked to leave. However, they have a great selection of whiskies and ales. As unfriendly as it may sound, I really like places like this. It's not trying to be something it's not, and certainly is not trying to adapt to the tourist and student prime location it's at. Instead the more sincere atmosphere also makes it relaxing- probably one of the few authentic old man pubs in the area. Great stuff! read more

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The lack of music is a bit strange. If it's a bit on the empty side you can feel the conversation bounce around the room. That aside, it's cosy and relaxed, cheap and easy. Also, it's the only place in the world where Kate Moss has been so understated, when she inexplicably visited. In a trash-mag, regulars were asked "so, Kate Moss in" and the response was "Aye, we noticed her, she's alright - slightly better looking than everyone else" Three cheers for not being starstruck! read more

The Bow Bar - picture from official website - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

The Bow Bar is without a doubt an old mans pub. Situated in the heart of Old Town, the Bow Bar is just around the corner from the Royal Mile and it is a short walk from the main shopping street in Edinburgh, Princes Street, and so it is a convenient place to reach. It is fairly small inside and when it gets busy it can feel really cramped and crowed. The Bow Bar serves the usual selection of beers, ales, wines, Scottish whisky and the standard range of spirits, and so there is something to suit everyone. The drinks are also really competitively priced, with a large glass of the house wine costing under five pounds. I was pretty hungry when I came here for a drink and was disappointed that there was no real menu available so I had to make do with crisps and peanuts. Most of the clientele in the pub are old men, which I found quite off putting, especially after a while when they got pretty drunk and became sleazy - not nice, but tourists and students also come to drink here. A nice place to go for a quiet drink, but definitely don't go here looking for food! read more

The Bow Bar - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

This bar would be typically classed as your local 'old man's' pub. It sells a wide range of local and national ale's and the interior is not that modern, and is more traditional. However, even though you do get dome older men who prop themselves up at the side of the bar, this place is a great little find! If you're a fan of ale's, like myself, you must pay the Bow bar a visit as it sells (at reasonable prices) mostly ale's, including Edinburgh's local, Deuchars! However, even though the drinks on offer are quite old man typed kind of drinks, this bar attracts a wider range of people. From tourists to students, this place always seems to have a mixture of people during the weekend (During the week, this bar is quite quiet). It might not be your cup of tea, but for those who want to taste the ale's of Scotland this place is a great bar to go to. read more

The Bow Bar - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Fun place. Fun people who took the time to teach us how to like Scotch! Go hear if you want to experience the Scots! read more

Great selection of whisky and the barman was really helpful - he offered suggested based on our likes or dislikes and had us smell ones he suggested before we chose. It's a bit small of a space - only around 10-15 tables, so seats go quickly at night. There was only 1 open table when we got there just after 9pm on a Thursday, and when we left just after 10pm, there was quite a crowd standing around the bar. Overall, a fantastic place in old town with a great selection. read more

The Bow Bar - Here's the bar. - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

I've been informed by a reliable source that since my 2008 visit to the Bow Bar, the Belhaven 80 ale has been replaced with Stewarts 80 and Stewarts No. 3, which are similar to Belhaven. Also, the Bow and its two sister pubs in town have all replaced Guinness with Black Isle Organic Porter, which uses the same mixed gas like Guinness but is more chocolatey and not as bitter. I'm always open to new brews, so we'll definitely be visiting the Bow again during our next trip. My thanks to Mike S. of Edinburgh for the updated information. read more

Knowledgable staff, well kept ales from all over the country with a regular turn over of guests (the Wiltshire Pigswill I had a few of this week was a very welcome addition to the ones I've tried in my time). No chance of the place ever getting any larger so at times it can be a chore to pass through the crowd, let alone get served - if you plan a long visit you have to decide whether to sit close to the bar at the front or close to the toilets at the rear and then stick by your decision. Winner of the Best Whisky Pub in Edinburgh 2007 (or some award along those lines) so I think that speaks more eloquently of its abilities in that area of the business than I can. read more

The Bow Bar - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

My sister and I are on holiday in Scotland and tonight was our first night in Edinburgh. We found this bar to be highly recommended online and thought we'd give it a try. Bad idea. We had a late start to the night since we decided to watch the sunset at Arthur's seat. With sore feet, we stomped the 4 miles home, had one cider, and got ready to head to this bar. We arrived at about 11:30. I was wearing short wedges, a rare phenomenon from my usual flats, and tripped on my way to the bar. We laughed and turned our attention to the bar. After waiting and getting what seemed like side eye, the male bartender with glasses said he would only serve us water but nothing alcoholic. SAY WHHHHAT? Are they closing? Confused, we put our money away. As we turned to leave, my sister asked if they were closing. He paused and replied 'No. I just felt it in my gut.' What he must have felt in his gut is indigestion. Shocked and embarrassed, we left. Sober. Did we look drunk? Nope. Did we act foolish? Not even close. Even in our hay days, we both have never been cut off. This was a ridiculous, immature act that deserves no service at this place. He didn't even talk to us to confirm this 'gut' feeling. No acknowledgement whatsoever. Not to mention, this atmosphere was barely one drink worthy as it was. I wish we were drunk because then maybe it might have been a wee bit fun. In fact, he should have served us so we could start the process of forgetting that we ever walked in. If you're into rude barkeeps and a lame, older 'crowd' (if you could call it a crowd), then this place is for you. Otherwise, don't ruin your experience in this beautiful city. Thank goodness we couldn't. read more

I got a great tip from a local to come here and it was spot on! This a locals joint, They have over 300 different types of whiskys and they will take the time to help you find the right one for you. If you buy cheese from across the street they will give you a cutting board so you can sit and enjoy your cheese w the delicious craft beers they have on tap. Its pretty amazing to find a pub that is great at both whiskys and beer! What a great experience. The clientele were friendly along w the staff. Love Edinburgh!! read more

This place is known mostly for their cask ales and single malt scotches, but they also have a lot of beers. It's a very no frills, no nonsense place. It's funny how there's a sign outside specifically saying no stag or hen parties (or bachelor / bachelorette parties). Also, it's not a hug There's a binder of all the scotch that you can take your time perusing through. I tried a Ledaig 10 for £4.80: it was well balanced, peated but not overly so. They do 35 ml pours, and prices are better than at restaurants. There's no food, but they have crisps. Note: £0.40 Charge for credit cards Bonus: they have purse and coat hooks at the bar. read more

We were looking for a place we could sit and have a drink in the Grassmarket area, this place seemed to busy, so we decided to give it a try. My friend is more of a beer drinker than I am, so this place was perfect for her. I can't drink warm beer, so I was out for trying the cask. I was daring, hoping not to get hit upside the head, and ordered the Maui Brewing Coconut Porter, this was delicious. At 6% alcohol, it took me to where I was looking to go. After a couple beers, we started chatting with some locals, and we got to talking about my love for gin, he had recommended I try Gin Mare. The rest is history. My love affair with Gin Mare began that night, and the Fever Tree Tonic blended oh so nicely. The bartenders were able to keep up with the demands of the crowd, and yet they all kept a nice attitude towards everyone. It's small and noisy, I like that there are no TV's and I love the sign on the door proclaiming, "no hen parties". We ended every single night at the Bow Bar during our stay in Edinburgh. read more

I love Bow Bar. It is everything I want my local to be. I'm only living in Edinburgh for a year and I want to taste as many whiskies as possible before I return to a land whose bars stock only only Glenfiddich and Famous Grouse. Bow Bar has more than 200 delicious drams, many if not most of them in the 3 to 5 quid range. But never fear -- if you want to spend more, you can. And if you have a hankering for a whisky from a distillery that's been closed since the 80s, well, you may just be in luck. Even if they don't have your dream dram, the bartenders are very knowledgeable and will help you find something similar to ease the craving. If you've never drunk whisky before, they'll ask you what you usually like and make a recommendation. Be warned, though: if you plan on mixing your whisky with a Coke, they will not sell you nice drams. If you're in more of an ale mood, Bow Bar is still the right place to go, with a great selection of local and regional ales. They keep a few varieties on tap all the time (Black Isle, Stewart's) but usually rotate the other taps -- and quite quickly too. You can come in on a Tuesday and taste the most delicious Tempest Chipotle Porter and return Friday to find it completely sold out. Sometimes I can't decide between all their interesting, unusual ales so I just order a half-pint of each. My only complaint is a strictly American one -- the ales are never quite cold enough for my taste. What people have said about this being an 'old man' bar is somewhat true, but don't let that put you off. The old men are perfectly nice and they're not the only patrons. I happen to love that Bow Bar doesn't play any music -- there's no sensory distraction when I'm trying to nose a dram. The seats do get filled up on weekends and evenings, so if you want to sit and enjoy your drink in peace, I recommend going in the middle of the day or after 8 p.m. during the week. Try to snag a window booth -- they're quite cozy and perfect for getting close to someone special over some truly tasty beverages. Also, be forewarned, there's a 40p surcharge if you pay by card. read more

Used to be a regular here many years ago, but stopped in with a couple of American colleagues who were in town. As always there was a good range of beers and excellent range of whiskys. This place has a feel of a little old mans pub, except it isn't, it is small and can get very busy at peak times, but the customers are from every walk of life, age, type. It is friendly, you always end up talking to other people. And you can talk, no music, no tvs, makes life so much nicer, or is that just coz I'm getting old. Also the staff are great, friendly with extensive knowledge of there products and very willing to recommend or discuss the whole gambit of the booze world. Top, only bad thing is I live in Glasgow and it is in Edinburgh. read more

This was the second stop on my solo whisky crawl through Edinburgh. Located in the Old Town part of Edinburgh, the clientele is primarily 55+ men. It's not a big place, and it's got a very friendly jovial environment. There is something quite refreshing about this type of bar! The visit was absolutely worth it for the whisky collection alone. I got a spot at the bar and went to work. The staff (one from NZ) - much younger than the patrons - were very helpful in walking me through their impressive collection of whiskies. My main goal was to try different whiskies that are hard to get in America, and the two barmen who were serving me did a great job of picking a few out to my tastes. If I've learned anything from my tastings, it's that anything put out by Cadenhead's (review forthcoming) is always a tremendous value. Do yourself a favor and order a glass of whatever limited release they are offering when you're visiting! Overall very knowledgable, helpful and friendly staff and absolutely worth a stop if you are looking for whisky. In fact, this may be the best bar to taste whisky in all of Edinburgh. read more

Definitely an old man's boozer, The Bow Bar is so understated that it's actually become really cool. It is dark and brooding, and perfect for an afternoon drink when you just want to shut the rest of the world out and immerse yourself in conversation because they don't have any music in here! I'm not sure if it was a one off but it was great because I was actually able to listen to what my friend was saying! A rarity in Edinburgh these days. The punters were pretty mixed, tourists and locals seemed to drink together in perfect harmony, again, a bit unusual for Edinburgh in my experience, I have always found that pubs have an exclusive tourist or local feel about them. This one was a bit different, and I really enjoyed my visit. read more

The Bow Bar - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Great place to grab a beer, some whiskey and enjoy conversation. Their selection of local brews is on point and through multiple times in, the crowd around you is friendly and inviting. Bartenders set you up with recommendations and with a smile. No frills good place to enjoy a Scottish pub. read more

One of my goals when visiting Scotland was to find "my whisky". The Bow Bar helped me greatly in that endeavor. I went to the bar for five consecutive nights seeing it very busy and relatively slow. Taking advantage of the broad selection of whiskys on offer - over 150 or more. In addition to the whisky there was a very good selection of cask beers on offer - I think they had 12 or 13 different ales on offer. The staff was super-patient and talked me through choosing a variety of whiskys and their recommendations were quite good - even if they weren't all to my taste. I liked the fact that there were no TVs, no music and no stag/hen parties allowed. It is a bar to have a conversation in and one in which to enjoy your whisky. Talk to the staff and when they make a recommendation listen to it. read more

A very nice bar with a wide, varied and lovely beer selection. Sell lovely award-winning pies as well!

What a great bar. Huge selection of beers and whiskies. For real ale fans this place is a must and also if you want to track down some less well know whiskies. The bar staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Getting a seat can be a challenge at busy times but it is a very good pub. Oh, and being so close to the Grassmarket, stag and hen parties are barred..bonus! read more

After finally making it to the bar through the small but densely packed punters, I gave the barmaid my order, it was only 2 pints, not difficult. As she poured the first my phone rang, it was a friend I was meeting in this bar so I answered it in case he was cancelling or there was some problem. After the call (it was only 51 seconds long) I look up to find the barmaid, and a barman staring at me asking for my order which I'd already given. I repeated my order, and the barman (Irish guy with cretinously long braids in his hair like a singer in a 1997 nu-metal band) proclaims loudly how extremely rude I am for answering my phone. Personally, I find not paying attention to a simple two-pint order and then abusing your customers rather more rude. read more

In a world where bars are becoming fashion icons in themselves, the Bow Bar is a refreshingly olde worlde pub which will remind you of the ways drinking used to be. Most certainly 'no -frills' the Bow Bar is what I would call an 'Old Man' pub - dark wood, leather and whispering broken only by the sound of pints being pulled or water being added to one of the nearly 150 different types of whiskey for sale. That said, the customers are from a wide range - tourists who have stumbled in from the busy shopping areas outside, students who are nursing hangovers and those all important regulars. Despite being nervous when entering, me and my two friends (who were expecting stares and grumbles) left some hours later having been comfortable and relaxed in the Bow Bar. read more

The Bow Bar - Bow Bar - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

The Bow Bar has long been an ale drinker's haven in Edinburgh. Just up from the Grassmarket, you can stop in on your way up the hill for a refreshment. Or two. Or three. Yes, it's one of those pubs where a quick half degenerates into working your way along the most excellent taps of draft beer. Ever changing, always interesting and with a couple of standards (Deuchars, obviously) always available, chances are there will be something here to catch any beer lover's eye, and taste buds. It's a tiny, traditional style Scottish pub. There's seats, tables and space, but not too much of any of the three. With the one telly over the door showing whatever's on BBC (Commonwealth Games at the time of this review) everyone gets a wee bit of entertainment. The real entertainment in here is just making new friends, talking to the people around you or picking the expert staff's brains on the details of the beers they provide. If you like the Devil's Favourite Hangover Cause, otherwise known as Whisky, then there's a HUG gantry to choose from, and I reckon the staff would be as helpful with those, judging by how they were helping an American next to me pick out something to try! Always has been excellent, probably always will be. You can't go wrong in The Bow. read more

What a great place for a drink during a visit to Edinburgh! While it may intimidate some, the list of whiskies and beers available is truly impressive, and the friendly staff will be patient with you as you decide what you would like. The crowd is also very friendly, and you can easily wind up in a conversation with people whose elbows you're rubbing against at the cosy bar. I'm glad I managed to persuade myself to go! read more