Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 14th December 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Alastair Barter
Submitted on Tuesday, 2nd April 2024
With picture contributions to 1900 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (25 more images)
Detail Pages
Thomson's Bar, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH3 8EB
Served areas
Reviews of Thomson's Bar (Average Rating: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
David Walton left this review about Thomson's Bar
Visited 05/11/25
Cask was three out of four hand pumps dispensing Jarl from Fyne Ales, Island Life pale ale from Orkney Brewery and the Gloaming from Loch Lomond Brewery. Keg was Somerset apple cider, Belhaven Best, Tenants, Estrella, McEwans 80/- and Brooklyn Stonewall IPA.
Small but perfectly formed pub with a large chessboard patterned tiled flooring with the bar counter on the right-hand wall. Some nice carving on the front of the light wood bar counter and a nice, mirrored shelving unit on the wall behind the bar counter hosting the spirits including an extensive whiskey offering. Indeed, plenty of light wood wall boarding, pillar, door, and window frames. A green studded leather banquette down the left-hand wall serving several regular tables then a few between the two entrance doors at the front and at the rear. No music, a TV above one of the doors was showing Sky News absent sound. Nice venue, felt like a haven in a busy part of town.
On 8th November 2025
- rating: 6
[User has posted 897 recommendations about 891 pubs]
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 4531 recommendations about 4152 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
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 2105 recommendations about 2004 pubs]
View more reviews of Thomson's Bar (13)
Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
- Thomsons Bar official site - www.thomsonsbaredinburgh.co.uk
- Facebook - Thomson's Bar
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Thomson's Bar - whatpub.com
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 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 19 July 2016 by Aqualung .
- Beer Garden : No last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Car Park : No last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : No last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Darts : No last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Function Room : No last updated 19 July 2016 by Aqualung .
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : No last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Karaoke : No last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Live Music : No last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Micropub : No last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Quiz Night : No last updated 19 July 2016 by Aqualung .
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : No last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
- Wheelchair Access : No last updated 19 July 2016 by Aqualung .
- WiFi : Yes last updated 23 January 2016 by Quinno _
