Kays Bar, Edinburgh

Visited 06/11/25 Cask offering was TT LL, Jarl from Fyne Ales, Paolozzi, Theakston Best Bitter, Natural Blonde from Harviestoun, Thistly Cross cider, Five Wells 80/- from Strangers Brewing Co. Keg was Amstel, K1664, Guinness, Neck Oil, Crushable also from BT, an IPA from Pilot. What looked like a significant whisky offering on the shelves behind the bar. Small glass fronted and very atmospheric bar, a short walk from the hustle & bustle of touristy Edinburgh. Safe to say red is the predominate colour in here. Bar counter is on right hand wall with tall stool seating at the bar counter. Opposite are some banquettes serving several small round tables with small stools the other side. There is a small banquette at the rear sandwiched between the toilets and the Library Bar, which was a small but very atmospheric space with its red carpet and wood panelled walls. I got about the last place to sit (a stool mid bar counter) which made for a very pleasant short stop.

I did call in here once before but it was so busy that I had to find a seat in the room on the way to the women's toilet, which has 19th century sexist cartoons on the wall. My visit today is at a quieter time of year, so I found a choice of upholstered bench seats opposite the bar counter. There's a bank of six hand pumps by the door with habitual bar hangers blocking the view, but I negotiated enough room for my shot; there's a Fyne Jarl pump further down. Perhaps I should have gone for that, but I had just had the same beer in the Oxford, so went for Swannay Orkney Best, which was in good nick but is not as good a beer (NBSS 3). It's ok here, but I'm not joining the fan club any time soon. Plenty of more pleasant pubs in Edinburgh than this

A popular tiny bar located behind and between some rather posh houses. A small rectangular room with the right hand third taken up with the counter, banquette seating at Britannia tables opposite and the lavs and a couple of tables at the far end. WhatPub says there’s another small room at the back, it’s near the ladies at the rear right but I didn’t visit it. Seven pulls of four Scottish beers, a couple of Yorkshire interlopers from Taylors and Theakston plus a Thistley Cross cider, a few keg solos of UK nationals, a little hard to tell what due to bar blockers. Fairly traditional in decor with old casks, stoneware jugs and brewery mirrors. The interior is fairly original and red. I wasn’t keen on the atmosphere, seemed a little cliquey but if you’re in a group it’s probably ok or I may have been unduly influenced by some miserable locals blocking the bar and giving me the evil eye.

Quinno's review says it all,this is an absolute must visit in the New Town,a very posh district with few pubs.It's small , very friendly and offers free newspapers to read on my lunchtime visit.The pub has also been awarded a Timothy Taylor cellarman award so TT Landlord is a regular.The other options on my trip were Loch Leven King Slayer (terrific,NBSS 4.5),Fyne Jarl,Harviestoun Schiehallion,Theakstons Bitter and Oakham JHB together with a Thirsty Cross real cider on handpump. Cobs to eat,a real fire plus a cosy back lounge you have to visit this charming pub.