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Thomson's Bar, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH3 8EB
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
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 1953 recommendations about 1866 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 2745 recommendations about 2745 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 3775 recommendations about 3507 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 709 recommendations about 704 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 1351 recommendations about 1337 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 5185 recommendations about 5168 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 8149 recommendations about 8149 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 2896 recommendations about 2833 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Thomson's
Named after the architect Alexander "Greek" Thomson, hence the gantry is full of scenes from Greek mythology. The rest of the pub walls are covered in mirrors and pictures. It's just a single room with the bar on your right as you enter. They do homemade food of the pies and beans variety, and very good it looked too. Deuchars IPA and Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted are the standard beers plus several guests, some dispensed from air pressure fonts in proper Scottish style. We called in at about 1 p.m. on a Wednesday lunchtime and it was pretty busy, but it emptied quite quickly soon afterwards. The pie & a pint lunch is alive and well here. I had a pint of Oakham Citra and the other half had the Harviestoun, both were in good nick. We'll definitely call in here again and may well have a pie as well.
On 23rd November 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3225 recommendations about 3136 pubs]