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The Cafe Royal Bar, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH2 2AA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Cafe Royal Circle Bar
This is an attractive pub, both inside and outside and is worth a visit when it’s dark, when you get the double effect of the external lighting of the Café Royal and the red interior lighting of the opulent décor of the Voodoo Rooms above the pub.
Internally the spectacular ceiling and large oval island bar are attractive enough, but the six tiled pictures on the wall of the bar of the famous inventors at the moment of their discovery justify a visit here in themselves.
The impressive interior deserves a better beer choice than that available, but three of four pumps on the go dispensing Broughton Coulsons EPA, Edingburgh Brewing Co EPA and Kelburn Goldihops wasn’t too shabby and the couple we tried were served OK.
And it is worth taking a trip up the stairs by the back of the pub to have a quick one in the Voodoo Rooms bar. This used to be a Victorian gentlemen’s club apparently and the opulence is almost over the top. Great if you can get a seat in one of the semi-circular plush booths to stare at the intricate black and gold décor of the walls and ceiling.
No real ale , but worth taking a half of something fizzy back to the booth to lay back and imagine you’ve just come back from the grand tour.
On 5th August 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2322 recommendations about 2169 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Cafe Royal Circle Bar
The original Café Royal was founded in 1826 but was relocated to its new premises in 1863 a couple of years after the present building was built, initially as a showroom for gas and bathroom fittings. In 1901 it was relaunced as a pub and has now become one of the Cities most noted and famous hostelries. The building narrowly escaped the wrecking ball in 1969 when Woolworths, who at the time owned the building, intended to demolish it to make way for a car park extension but the plans were scuppered following heated protests and a petition of nearly 9,000 people. A detailed history can be found inside on a pillar by the bar.
Much of the more than impressive interior is original however the island bar is a 1979 replacement with the gantry added in 2002. The bar does tend to squeeze some of the seating to the edges making things a bit cramped so bagging one of the leather bay seated areas on the window sides is probablt the favoured option but you need to get there early.
The standout feature is the series of 6 Royal Doulton tiled murals in the main bar depicting a host of great inventors. A screen at one end separates the main bar from the Oyster Bar that now appears to be for diners with the first floor Bistro now a separately run enterprise with its own entrance. The Oyster bar contains a further 3 tiled murals and also a series of fine stained glass windows featuring sporting figures. If not dining, you can still peek through the open doorway to admire the décor.
There were 4 local ales available (Caledonian Deuchars, Kelburn Red Smiddy, Cairngorm Trade Winds and Kelburn Misty Law) albeit not much you won’t find easily elsewhere around the City. Despite being such an opulence and up-market ambience, drink prices were pretty reasonable for the area with my Red Smiddy at £3.30 although the food prices were somewhat more prohibitive to the average casual drinker.
The place should rank high on any pub visitor’s agenda and is a treat to visit but the crowds can make it a bit uncomfortable so I only stayed for one pint. Next time I’ll claim my spot early and make a longer session of it.
On 12th October 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about Cafe Royal Circle Bar
The interrior, with its high ornate ceilings, intricate mouldings and interesting portraits, remains the talking point of this pub, although it had other good points too. The staff were friendly, the atmosphere was welcoming and the beer selection good. Food was disappointing, and I got the feeling the mashed potato was out of a packet judging by its texture. There were 4 ales on; I had a pint of Williams Red which was maybe on the turn but still drinkable. An OK pub which I would be happy to visit again.
On 18th May 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3717 recommendations about 3678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
I L left this review about Cafe Royal Circle Bar
Superb interior and normally a nice range of Scottish ales but when looking at the food menu thought it was a bit pricey till I realised I was only looking at the starters I soon put the menu down! Have normally got served promptly each time we have been in here and well worth visiting before going next door to the Guildford. We did have a very nice pint of Kelburn Dark Moor in here though.
On 9th November 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 287 recommendations about 284 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Cafe Royal Circle Bar
I've never really liked this place and I've been visiting it for about 15 years. It's a little bit upmarket, but nowhere near as upmarket as they think they are. It's got an interesting bar, tiling and pictures all around the walls. Backed up by a totally uninterested bar staff. It can be totally dead and you still can't get served quickly in here. The beer is often rather average and I don't understand why it gets into the GBG. I still keep calling in hoping for an improvement, but it hasn't changed this time.
On 23rd June 2010
- rating: 4
[User has posted 3343 recommendations about 3253 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Clive Thompson left this review about Cafe Royal Circle Bar
Just around the corner from the Guildford Arms and decorated in a similarly impressive fashion. Clearly one of the best interiors around and the beer is normally good. Due to it's fame and popularity it can seem a bit like a tourist attraction at times. Worth a visit if you are in the area.
On 24th May 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 780 recommendations about 697 pubs]