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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
Thomson's Bar, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH3 8EB
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about Thomson's Bar
My route from the Jolly Judge (near the castle) to Ryrie's Bar (near Haymarket Station) took me right past Thomson's, so I thought it would be rude not to call in. One of the barmen welcomed me by dropping a tray of glasses : few if any survived. My choice of Fyne Jarl was just being changed, so I went for the Oakham Citra, two beers that were not to my taste three years ago, but I'm gradually getting used to them. This was fine (NBSS 3.5) and I wished the barman - who remained friendly and good humoured despite his terrible day - a better day tomorrow as I left.
On 9th January 2025
- rating: 8
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Blackthorn _ left this review about Thomson's Bar
A traditional looking pub on the popular Morrison Street, it’s one single, open-plan room internally, and although there is no obvious sign that it was ever anything else, there is nonetheless a door in each corner, one with etched glass denoting it as the “Public Bar” and the other just “Bar”.
Décor wise it’s quite elegant with much wood panelling, including an intricately carved bar counter and backdrop, porches and pillars as well as further wood panelling on the lower part of the walls. The ceiling too was quite elaborate with cornicework forming large inset panels painted in black with some pale green around the permitter. Flooring was large black and white chequered tiles, whilst the walls were covered in an extensive selection of brewery adverts and mirrors.
Beers on tap were Swannay Scapa Special, Orkney’s Island Life, Oakham Bishop’s Farewell and Fyne Ales Jarl. After an unusual beer selection, it was a shame that the only cider they could come up with was Somersby from a global conglomerate. Overall, I’ve mixed feelings about this. The décor is perhaps worth a peek, but it seemed a bit lacking in any atmosphere and the poor cider selection is unlikely to tempt me back.
On 7th May 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2060 recommendations about 1962 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Thomson's Bar
A traditional bar with great wood panelling,a cheque black and white vinyl floor,bar to the right and narrow tables with pew benches and stools.It was lively at 4pm on a Thursday and thankfully the large iron radiators were belting out some decent heat.
The ale selection was on my visit Swannay Scapa Special (NBSS 4),TT Landlord,Fyne Jarl and Orkney Dark Island.Good whisky selection too.I would be happy to return ,the authentic boozer atmosphere was noteworthy.
On 19th November 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Thomson's Bar
A beautiful one-room bar with lovely wood panelling on many surfaces, including the bar counter at the right hand end, though the presence of two doors from the street suggests that the room has not always been arranged this way. There are four hand pumps, and also four of the Scottish fonts that are still in use in some pubs in the city, though not this one. There are also eight keg fonts for lager, stout and heavy. Real ales at the time of my visit were Fyne Ales Jarl and Oakham Citra, neither of which is to my taste but the Jarl was in top condition.
Date of visit: 20th July 2021
On 4th September 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Colin Walker left this review about Thomson's Bar
Thompson’s sits 5 minutes’ walk from Haymarket train station. This single roomed bar has the style of Glasgow architect Alexander 'Greek' Thomson, with the gantry and room panelling which are inlaid with scenes from Greek mythology. The beers on sale have a good choice from McEwan’s 80/-, Harviestoun Schiehallion, Guinness, Guinness Extra Cold, Fyne Ales Jarl, Tryst Brewery XL5, Holy Grail, Deuchars IPA, Oakham Ales Citra, Magners Cider, Tennent’s, Estrella to Belhaven Best. There is up to 4 changing ales. Although the interior is not what one would call a true Heritage pub, but is one to watch out for the future.
On 25th October 2018
- rating: 10
[User has posted 717 recommendations about 712 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Thomson's Bar
Gorgeous interior and superb Deuchars IPA.
Really worth seeking out for the wood paneling, mirrored walls and tiling.
Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2D0AhUB
On 11th January 2018
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1563 recommendations about 1543 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Thomsons Bar
This is a square single roomed bar with a tiled floor an ornate ceiling and some carved wooden features. It was quiet on my late Wednesday evening visit.
There were four hand pumps which had three English beers and just one Scottish although the boring Deuchar's IPA was also advertised. The four beers were Fyne Jarl, Mordue US Pale, Oakham Citra and Swannay Island Hopping. I went for the Jarl (£3.60) and US Pale (£3.90) which were both in excellent condition.
I thought the beer choice and the pub were dull and rather expensive so I doubt that I would return.
On 19th July 2016
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Thomsons Bar
Pretty much as remembered from 10 years back and able to enjoy the décor much more as apart from myself and Mrs Quinno, there were only two other customers for most of our brief stay on a wet Sunday evening. Star of the show is the carved light wood bar area, back, doors and surrounds (I assume this is to ape the original colouring and styling of the New Town area of the city done by Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson himself?). Also of note are floor (black and white chequerboard) and ceiling (a nice black and mint green moulded design). Various bits of framed breweriana and distilleriana(?!) line the walls, along with some retro holiday posters. A quiet pub with no music and a muted TV showing darts (why have it showing if you don’t put the volume on a bit?) so in conjunction with there being two other customers the atmosphere moon-like as a consequence. Four ale pumps (Deuchars IPA, Oakham Scarlet Macaw, Fyne Hurricane Jack and Tryst Double Choc Porter) with a lonely Fyne Jarl on the air pressure. Tried the choc porter (good) and the Jarl (excellent). Also of note was a prominently displayed price list, don’t see that often enough. Likeable place but get the feeling it’s one of those pubs where custom (and atmosphere) levels veer violently between rammed and dead depending on the time of day/weather. 7.5
March 2006
Went in here on a Saturday night and was pretty impressed by the interior, and more than happy with the ales on tap (I had Flat Cap from a brewery in Bolton). Drinkers are of the red-faced variety and a friendly (if somewhat noisy) atmosphere prevails. Worth the walk out from town. Rated 7
On 23rd January 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Thomson's Bar
Compact square bar with typical narrow tables, a chequer-board tiled floor and some light wood panelling. Very quiet on a Sunday evening. Four handpumps plus two of the four traditional Scottish pressure fonts working, with a good choice local ales e.g. Tryst Carronade (£3.45) plus a skightly incongruous appearance from Fullers London Pride.
On 3rd February 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Thomson's Bar
Traditional pub with original interior.6 real ales served. Brewery memorabilia on the walls.
On 18th December 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2933 recommendations about 2866 pubs]