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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Guildford Arms, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH2 2AA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about The Guildford Arms
Another Edinburgh classic that I'd visited before but not reviewed. When last here 10 years ago I was in company and it was very busy, both conditions that tend to dissuade me from writing a review. On my own tonight and fairly quiet, so I get the chance to appreciate the beauty of this classic pub. There are 10 hand pumps on the bar, but I stopped looking after seeing Orkney Dark Island, an old favourite and my beer of the evening. This one will definitely be on my list for another visit in due course.
On 6th January 2025
- rating: 8
[User has posted 4274 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about The Guildford Arms
One of that select group of ostentatious late nineteenth century pubs just behind Princes Street. An L shaped counter is home to 10 pulls on the corner plus a few triple keg taps of typical UK beers. The casks are mostly Scottish but Timmy Taylor had made it north and a Vocation keg or two had escaped from Calderdale. The ceiling and plasterwork frieze as well as the carved wood are works of art, the counter and bar back fading into insignificance in contrast. There is also an upstairs area which brings you in touching distance of the ceiling. Opposite Waverley’s main Princes Street entrance it’s probably very well known among beer drinkers, researchers at New Register House, tourists and even the wider public.
On 28th January 2024
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3599 recommendations about 3279 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Guildford Arms
The service in here was impeccable even when the pub was busy, which is the majority of the time. This is a comfortable pub and easily attracts a few eccentric characters popping in for a drink.
The splendid interior is well worth a visit alone. Another excellent attribute to this pub was the range of cask ales it serves and the pricing was good, compared to the Cafe Royal next door.
The line up on our visit was Track Brewery Sonoma, Orkney Tiger Bay, Beertown Kahuna, Fauna Brewing Wild Dog IPA, Arbor Mosiac, Wiper & True Kaleidoscope, Oakham with Elusive brewing Nimrod IPA, Black Iris Loved & Lost, Glasshouse Brewing Shiro and Attic Brew Amarus Bitter. You could actually spend all day in this place with a beer line up like that.
On 19th July 2023
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3645 recommendations about 3645 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Guildford Arms
Just off Princes Street and near Waverley station this is an absolute must visit when in Edinburgh.Apex shaped the interior is magnificent with a very high and ornate ceiling,a swing door entrance,interesting gently curved bench seating around the periphery creating discrete seating,an upstairs dining area and a rear lounge,the two sided bar has a total of 10 handpumps.The high etched glass windows give plenty of light and character.
The ale selection on my trip was superb with several regulars such as TT Landlord,Swanney Orkney Bitter,Stewarts Pentland IPA and Fyne Jarl complemented with guests in Orkney White Shores, Loch Lomond Silkie Stout (NBSS 4.5),Thornbridge Mosaic Pale and Simcoe Bitter ,St Austell Proper Job and Cromarty White Out (NBSS 4).Great line up,the whole place is classy and the bar tenders all wore ties.
My favorite city centre pub on an extensive tour,go there to pay homage and enjoy some terrific real ale.Full marks.
On 19th November 2022
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Guildford Arms
Splendid triangular pub with rich decoration including many interesting features such as a high, tiled ceiling, mezzanine balcony and the engraved windows. 'Only' nine of the ten handpumps were in use during this coronavirus-era revisit, but all from smaller breweries (mostly Scottish): Cromarty Whiteout, Fyne Ales Jarl, Pentland IPA from Stewart Brewing, Loch Lomond Silkie Stout, Mobberley Brewhouse Dark Winter plus a couple each from Shiny and Orkney. A bit hidden away, but right in the city centre near the East end of Princes Street and well worth seeking out.
On 30th December 2021
- rating: 9
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Colin Walker left this review about The Guildford Arms
This pub I consider one of the top pubs in Edinburgh. From the Waverley Train Station cross Princess street and around the corner to the right. Perfect for a first and for a last stop. Beautiful interior surroundings on two levels with more food orientated upstairs. Lots of choices of beers and ales. All earlier reviews of this pub still stand.
On 8th March 2020
- rating: 10
[User has posted 717 recommendations about 712 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
peter ashworth left this review about The Guildford Arms
Cannot add much to Blackthorn's detailed description only that this late Victorian pub was elaborately designed and established in 1896 at the height of the Temperance movement and has been operated by the Stewart family ever since.All the features are stunning but i was impressed by the revolving door,the ornate plastering and the upstairs gallery.
There were 10 cask beers on the go all functioning and plumped for the Orkney Dark Island which was spot on. If you have never visited the pub and are close to Waverley station with time on your hands this is the place for you. You wont be disappointed.
On 19th September 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2387 recommendations about 2341 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Guildford Arms
An unusual wedge shaped building in a slightly unpromising location perhaps, but nonetheless just a very short stroll from Princes Street, it consists of a single room downstairs in a sort of a V-shape wrapped around the bar counter along with a smaller mezzanine level floor upstairs.
Décor wise it’s quite impressive, with a very high and ornate ceiling with elaborate cornice work and much red and gold paintwork. Large arched and etched glass windows are on both sides with dark wood panelling on the walling in between. A wooden porch with revolving door was inset in to the pub, with only the TV perched on top showing a continual loop of drinks adverts spoilt the effect somewhat. Flooring was red patterned carpet and leather bench seating was around much of the perimeter. Despite the open plan nature of the pub, the unusual shape provided a number of cosy recesses. The upstairs area was clearly more of a restaurant and this was quite different in style with a contemporary appearance including a sanded wood floor and quite jazzy wallpaper. Service at the bar was fast and efficient.
The menu offered a decent selection of dishes including pub grub staples such as fish & chips and a burger. I went for the chicken stuffed with haggis, wrapped in smoked bacon and served in a peppercorn sauce, and this was a decent enough dish, although also one of the more expensive options at £15.95.
Beers on tap were Edinburgh Gold, Tenby Black Flag, Cromarty Hit The Lip, Thornbridge Tapit, Orkney IPA, Fyne Ales Jarl, Radical Road Reverse, Orkney Dark Island, Pentland IPA and Bombardier. After that lot, cider choice was a little disappointing with only Stowford Press.
On 30th November 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2060 recommendations about 1962 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Guildford Arms
Can't think of any other pubs with a revolving door!
Used to thing it was slightly more down at heel to the Cafe Royal Bar next door - but on a quiet visit, I got to see it in all its splendour. Its beautiful.
Great local real ales all around the bar - so make sure you check them all out before committing.
On 12th January 2018
- rating: 10
[User has posted 277 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Guildford Arms
Old style pub serving 10 real ales . Makes a good double header with the very ornate Cafe Royal next door.
On 15th August 2017
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2933 recommendations about 2866 pubs]