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Kays Bar, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH3 6HF
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
David Walton left this review about Kays Bar
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.
On 8th November 2025
- rating: 7
[User has posted 942 recommendations about 935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Kays Bar
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
On 8th January 2025
- rating: 6
[User has posted 4598 recommendations about 4212 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Kays Bar
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.
On 28th January 2024
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3859 recommendations about 3526 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Kays Bar
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.
On 19th November 2022
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3112 recommendations about 3112 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Kays Bar
‘Hidden gem’ perfectly describes this one. An odd little side street building in a very posh (and quiet) part of town. On approach you can’t even see where the pub actually is and even when you do clock it there’s a slight pause to check it really is a bar, being a freestanding little building in a terrace full of 4+ storey houses. Wonderful when you enter though, it’s a small comfy and cosy place with no screens, machines or music. Red is the theme - fireman's red colour paint and magenta fabric button banquettes and carpet. A load of old vanished barrels are mounted upon a wall. On a dank late afternoon the coal fire was burning which was wonderful, amplifying the cosy ambience of the place. Apparently there was a tiny library room at the rear but I must have missed it – I was too engrossed! Five (I think) ales on; my Tryst Raj was barrel end but the Fyne Jarl was superb (NBSS 4.5). Also noted were a large amount (given the place’s bijou size) of whiskies above the bar but, more importantly in my opinion, were a selection of ham and salami crusty cobs. Staff and locals were friendly, I struck-up conversation about the pubs I’d done in city, pubs back in Reading and great pubs in general. The guv’nor even wore a shirt and tie, you don’t see that much now. Really atmospheric, great beer, cosy atmosphere and friendly locals - just up my street. This was a rare 10. You absolutely must do this one, no excuses. 9.5
On 15th November 2021
- rating: 10
[User has posted 5964 recommendations about 5943 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about Kays Bar
Tucked away down some residential side streets, this is not somewhere you’re likely to stumble across by accident but is well worth taking the effort to track down. It’s rather unusual in appearance being a freestanding structure surrounded by terraced houses, and looks as though it may perhaps have been a garage or something similar in a former life.
Internally it’s one fairly compact room, although there did also look to be a much smaller room at the rear which was described as a library. The predominant colour in the pub was red, with deep red paint on the ceiling, padded red banquet seating around the perimeter and red padded bar stools elsewhere. Rough, black wood panelling was on the wall at the rear and there was also a small fireplace here. The left hand wall was entirely taken up with racks of old barrels in various sizes, although these looked to be decorative rather than functional. Food choice looked to be limited to the odd cling filmed roll that was lurking around.
Beers on tap were Fyne Ales Jarl, Timothy Taylor Landlord, London Pride, Deuchars IPA, Theakston’s Best, The Norseman and Jarsa Session Ale. After that lot, the solitary cider was Strongbow, unfortunately. Overall, despite the poor cider choice, I thought this was a cracking little pub with friendly service and a cosy atmosphere.
On 28th June 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2107 recommendations about 2006 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Kays Bar
I'm using various guides to find all the best pubs in Edinburgh and this may well be the one. More work to do, but its up there.
Small main room, bar seating, some tables. Quiet back room where you need to strike lucky. Classic pub interior.
Very high quality Deuchars IPA sampled in a pleasant atmosphere.
Will come again.
Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2Dga2p5
On 19th January 2018
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1751 recommendations about 1724 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Kays Bar
Tucked away in the new town but well worth seeking out. Interior still the same as rob camra described below. 8 real ale taps 7 on. Good malt whisky selection.
On 22nd August 2015
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3028 recommendations about 2961 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
David Ross left this review about Kays Bar
Difficult to find and not even immediately recognisable as a pub from the outside, Kay's is away from the city’s main tourist areas, but well worth a visit if you’re in the vicinity. There is a small bar at the front and a snug at the rear, both exquisitely decorated. A few real ales are available in addition to the usual draught beers.
On 25th March 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 769 recommendations about 683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Kays Bar
Although it has only been a pub since the 1970s, it was John Kay & Sons wine and spirit merchants for 150 years (and a Georgian coach house before that) so there are many interesting features inside the little bar. Also offers bargain food, including simple filled rolls for those just wanting a quick bite. Good atmosphere and efficient barman. Eight real ales on handpump, with a decent selection selection of local ales such as Stewart 80/- at just £2.60. One of those places that really deserves to be found.
On 13th February 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 9017 recommendations about 9017 pubs]