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The lamplit front of Thistle Street Bar at night, hanging baskets either side.
Edinburgh

Thistle Street Bar

A small traditional bar on Thistle Street in the New Town, with Scottish cask ales, gins and malts, and folk music several nights a week.

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Welcome

Thistle Street runs quietly behind George Street, and halfway along it a dark front of arched windows, lamps and hanging baskets belongs to Thistle Street Bar.

It is a small, traditional New Town pub, one split-level room of wooden floors and soft light, and it keeps its attention on Scotland.

The cask ales come from independent Scottish breweries, with a couple of beers that change, and behind the bar stand rows of Scottish gins and malt whiskies, with tasting flights served on wooden boards for anyone who wants to try a few. On Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings, except in January, musicians gather to play Scottish folk music from eight until ten. There is a small covered patio out the back.

The bar opens every day but Monday, from the afternoon until eleven. Dogs are welcome, but children are not admitted.

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Before you go

Open every day but Monday, from the afternoon.

Folk music plays on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings from eight, except in January. Dogs are welcome; children are not admitted.

Where
39 Thistle Street, Edinburgh EH2 1DY.
Music
Scottish folk, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 8pm to 10pm, not in January.

Opening hours

Their website
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
3pm–11pm
Wednesday
3pm–11pm
Thursday
3pm–11pm
Friday
noon–11pm
Saturday
noon–11pm
Sunday
2pm–11pm

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Where it is

On Thistle Street, the narrow lane between George Street and Queen Street.

Close byThistle Street and the New Town.
  1. Pan-seared salmon with roast potatoes and tomato salsa, plated among fishing nets and floatsFishers in the CitySeafood in a converted warehouse on Thistle Street since 2001.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Café St HonoréCafé St HonoréA candlelit French bistro down a New Town lane, where the chef Neil Forbes cooks with Scottish produce bought from farmers he knows.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. Lucky Liquor CoLucky Liquor CoA cocktail bar on Queen Street from the team behind Bramble, opened in 2013, named for the number thirteen and played entirely on vinyl.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. Scottish National Portrait GalleryScottish National Portrait GalleryThe first gallery in the world built for portraits, on Queen Street.Under a mile 2 min by road
  5. Dundas HouseDundas HouseA Palladian mansion of 1771 on St Andrew Square.Under a mile 3 min by road
Directions
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Recommend to a friend

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