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An archway framing the lit sign for the Jolly Judge down a narrow close
Edinburgh

Jolly Judge

A small pub at the foot of James Court off the Lawnmarket, with low beamed ceilings, a warm fire, real ales and a long list of malts.

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Welcome

Through a stone arch off the Lawnmarket, near the top of the Royal Mile, a narrow close runs down into James Court, and at its foot a painted sign of a bewigged judge hangs over the door of the Jolly Judge.

It is a small, snug pub a couple of minutes' walk from the castle, and easy to miss.

Inside, the ceilings are low and beamed, a fire burns in the colder months and the room keeps a quiet, unhurried air even in the busiest weeks of the year. There is a wide choice of beers on tap, and the pub has been named Real Cider Pub of the Year five times in a row. Behind the bar stands a long list of single malts and other whiskies, with wines and spirits too. In fine weather there are benches out in the court.

The Jolly Judge opens every day from noon until late.

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The Daily for 1 November, from Scotland with love. A misty lane runs past slate-roofed cottages toward a wooded hillside.
Round the cornerSignet Library1 min by roadSee itSignet Library
Before you go

Open every day from noon until late.

Where
7 James Court, Edinburgh EH1 2PB, through the pend off the Lawnmarket.

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
noon–midnight
Tuesday
noon–11pm
Wednesday
noon–11pm
Thursday
noon–midnight
Friday
noon–midnight
Saturday
noon–midnight
Sunday
noon–11pm

Eaten here? Tell others what to order and when to go, and the best go on this page with your name.

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Where it is

At the foot of James Court, a close off the Lawnmarket near the top of the Royal Mile.

Close byThe Lawnmarket.
  1. Gladstone’s LandGladstone’s LandA merchant's tall tenement of 1617 on the Lawnmarket, with painted ceilings.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Riddle’s CourtRiddle’s CourtA merchant's mansion of 1590 round a hidden courtyard.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. Empty tables and murals fill The Deacon's House tearoom, shelves lined with china aboveDeacon's House CafeA cafe in Brodie's Close, named for the close's most famous resident.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. Golden bird sculpture above a hanging sign for Gladstone's Land, offering tours, ice creams, coffees and cakesGolden Hawk Sculpture at Gladstone's LandUnder a mile 1 min by road
  5. Deacon Brodie's TavernDeacon Brodie's TavernA Royal Mile pub named after Deacon William Brodie, cabinetmaker and councillor by day and burglar by night, hanged in 1788.Under a mile 1 min by road
  6. Writers' MuseumWriters' MuseumA free museum of Burns, Scott and Stevenson in a townhouse of 1622.Under a mile 1 min by road
Directions
Bronze sculpture of a basket with a carved oar motif on its stone plinthAttractionsSusannah Alice Stephen MemorialA step away
Turreted stone building with a Makars' Court sign in Edinburgh's Old TownAttractionsWriters’ Museum in Lady Stair’s CloseA step away
Pavement slab inscribed with Robert Garioch's verse "In Embro to the ployAttractionsLady Stair's CloseA step away
Lady Stair's Close and the Writers' Museum, a tall old house with a turret.AttractionsMakars’ CourtA step away
Set table beside a brick fireplace with clock and mirror aboveRestaurantsWhiski RoomsA step away
A lamb shank in gravy on mash beside a haggis stack topped with neeps, on a wooden table at Makars Mash Bar.RestaurantsMakars Mash BarA step away
Heart of Midlothian mosaic set into cobblestones, with pedestrian shadows falling across itAttractionsThe Heart of MidlothianA step away
The long pale stone front of the National Library of Scotland on George IV Bridge.AttractionsNational Library of ScotlandA step away
Stone steps through a narrow close frame the Scott Monument, EdinburghAttractionsAdvocate's CloseA step away

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

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  • Sleeps 4
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  • A hotel
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  • A mile from the Jolly Judge
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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