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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Blackthorn _
Submitted on Tuesday, 10th September 2019
With picture contributions to 5578 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (14 more images)
Detail Pages
Sandy Bells, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH1 2QH
Served areas
Reviews of Sandy Bells (Average Rating: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about Sandy Bells
I'm visiting this one because it's on Camra's list of heritage interiors, but the sign above the door bigs up its folk music credentials. Luckily, not much chance of being assailed by that stuff at two in the afternoon, but on the other hand it was also very quiet, with two out of three customers on Guinness and the other one on spirits. My pint of Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted was end-of-barrel, so I went for Fyne Ales Jarl instead, which was just about NBSS 3. I tried to imagine this small place jammed full of folk musicians, but my imagination failed me. Five cask beers - is that too many for a small place like this? Only an all day session including the music could answer that question. (Cash preferred.)
On 27th March 2025
- rating: 6
[User has posted 4273 recommendations about 3935 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Sandy Bells
Long thin corner pub, sadly I caught it on a music night so it was rammed, that’s actually every night plus afternoons at the weekend. It is a famous folk music pub. Fairly unspoiled interior with an impressive bar back and other fittings. Two banks of three pulls of Scots beers plus a couple of T-Bars of the usuals for Edinburgh. Otherwise the beer was excellent so I went back when it was quieter the next lunchtime. The beer was just as good and the banter from a mob of auld fellers in one corner was pure class, cheaper than a good many pubs in Edinburgh too.
On 18th February 2023
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3599 recommendations about 3279 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Sandy Bells
Looking a bit scruffy from outside with an old Forrest Hill Bar sign visible ,this is an old school boozer with a strong folk music vibe.The bar runs down the right side,there is a small bench along the front window below the short side of the bar,some small tables opposite the bar,bar stools and then a wider back area where musicians will hang out.There's an eclectic mix of customers and I revelled in it's earthyness.
There was a lot of real ale ,on my trip Inveralmond Ossian and Lia Fail,Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted,Orkney Dark Island and Mild and Fyne Jarl (NBSS 4).A very decent selection and a fun atmosphere means I will return.
On 19th November 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]
View more reviews of Sandy Bells (7)
No known official website for this pub.
- Facebook - Sandy Bell's
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Sandy Bells - whatpub.com
- Historic Pub Interiors - pubheritage.camra.org.uk
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.
- Beer Garden : No last updated 27 March 2025 by Will Larter
- Car Park : No last updated 27 March 2025 by Will Larter
- Child Friendly : No last updated 27 March 2025 by Will Larter
- Live Music : Yes last updated 07 January 2015 by hondo .
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 14 December 2011 by Alan Winfield
- Wheelchair Access : Yes last updated 27 March 2025 by Will Larter
- WiFi : Yes last updated 27 March 2025 by Will Larter
