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New Pub with Poohbear1863
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Image posted by David Walton
Submitted on Saturday, 8th November 2025
With picture contributions to 2298 other pubs
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Detail Pages
Jolly Judge, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH1 2PB
Served areas
Reviews of Jolly Judge (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Colin Walker left this review about Jolly Judge
The Jolly Judge is located down a “Close” (Alleyway) and is 10 to 15 metres uphill from a building with gold eagle above the door called Gladstone’s Land. The pub is compact with a low beamed roof. The barman is very knowledgeable about the beers and whisky available. Considering its size there is plenty on offer. At the time of visiting on draught there is Tempest Long White Cloud – Harbour Rose Crush Pale – Bellfield Rational Creatures IPA – Tempest Wise Guise IPA – Cidersmiths Craft Cider – Oliver’s Fine Cider – Campervan Extra Black – McEwan’s 70/- - Campervan Leith Pils – Tennent’s Lager. On the big hand pull pumps are Cromarty Happy Chappy Pale Ale – Tempest Riding Tigers Hazy Pale – Two By Two Stout – Cromarty 80/- Malty Smooth & Easy. There are 30 plus whiskies available on the top rack.
On 14th September 2026
- rating: 10
[User has posted 734 recommendations about 727 pubs]
David Walton left this review about Jolly Judge
Visited 05/11/25
Four hand pumps dispensing Into the Mystic hazy pale ale from Tempest, the Snake Eyes Pale from Two by Two, the Big Little Red amber IPA from Pilot and the Embers 80/- from Otherworld. Keg offering was the Long White Cloud, Fall Guy and Soleil all from Tempest, the Psychic House Hunters from Lost Cause, the Craft cider from Cidersmiths and the Lanthorn craft cider, the Extra Black and the Leith Pils both from Campervan plus the McEwan’s 70/-. Good can and bottle selection in the fridges behind the bar also.
Quite atmospheric venue with a small seating area out the front on paving stones. Inside the bar counter is to the left of the entrance with tall stool seating at the bar counter. Some regular tables on the wall opposite the bar counter. The venue is carpeted with a fire grate to greet you as soon as you walk in. To the right of the entrance is a seating area with banquettes around the walls serving regular tables. Very low ceiling with paper currency plastered on the beams above the bar counter. Seemed well found by tourist on my attendance, but thought it was rather decent, albeit quite small.
On 8th November 2025
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1944 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Jolly Judge
This had more of the feel of a locals pub, but maybe this was because I was here quite late when tourists might have gone to their hotels. My beer, at £4.70/pint, was certainly pretty cheap compared with many in this part of town. My half of Tempest Pale Armadillo (NB no South American animals were harmed in the making of this beer) was not as good as I had hoped, after a dreadful blonde beer at the previous pub, but it scraped an NBSS 2.5. This is not a must visit, in my opinion, despite its current GBG status, but maybe a wild card.
On 8th January 2025
- rating: 7
[User has posted 4910 recommendations about 4493 pubs]
View more reviews of Jolly Judge (14)
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- Official site of the Jolly Judge - www.jollyjudge.co.uk
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Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 25 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 25 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : Yes - Small courtyard - last updated 08 January 2025 by Will Larter
- Darts : No last updated 25 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 25 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 25 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Karaoke : No last updated 25 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 25 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Micropub : No last updated 25 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 25 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 25 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 25 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 25 January 2016 by Quinno _
- WiFi : Yes last updated 25 January 2016 by Quinno _
