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Bennets Bar, Tollcross, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH3 9LG
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Real Ale Ray left this review about Bennets Bar
A Camra National Inventory Pub, which is slightly out of town, but well worth a visit for its amazing interior and a plus is that it is quite near the Cloisters bar. It is also worth a look into the back room, with its separate bar, which is a piece of art in itself.
Three ales Jarl Citra Session Blonde, Stewart Admiral and Alechemy RUMDMC.
On 23rd July 2023
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Bennets Bar
Another pub you really must visit.It's next door to the King's Theatre and is full of original features.Ahead is the tap room with a long bar to the left,well worn red leather double seating booths and stools along the right wall below huge mirrors and ceramic designs of people of unknown origin,not quite Gecian.The bar back contains a mountain of whisky bottles,the bar end mirror above the working fireplace is impressive ,as are the stained glass front windows.Before entering the tap room push the small left door to enter the jug room with a serving hatch.Meant for takeaways this room also has a sign saying it's a ladies room with just a single table and two chairs.I don't know if this is enforced.
Beyond the tap room there is a seperate side lounge with it's own bar but much more limited options.
The real ale selection on my trip was not huge in Loch Leven King Slayer,Stewart Kilted Kiwi and Inveralmond Lia Fail (NBSS 3.5).The whisky selection was impressive.The food looked simple but wholesome.
Such an impressive interior just has to be seen ,it's magnificent and so traditional.
On 19th November 2022
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about Bennets Bar
A reasonably small pub located a little to the south of the city centre in Tollcross, this is well known for it’s historic interior, so I was keen to pop in for a swift one having neglected to do so on my previous visits.
Internally it’s a large room with the bar counter to the left. Sanded wooden boards were on the floor, and the bar counter itself has an impressive carved wooden backdrop with upright spindles forming archways to house the bottles of spirits and so on. There were also some beer barrels in some of the arches at either side, although I assume these were decorative rather than functional. Elaborate and colourful cornicework adorned the ceiling whilst several whisky barrel ends adorned the rear wall, alongside a large brewery mirror. A tiny snug was at the front which was completely closed off from the rest of the bar with wood partitioning and stained glass. A small serving hatch opened on to the bar area for service, and initially I couldn’t even work out how one accessed it. On leaving, it became apparent that there was a door leading to it from the porch. The main feature though is undoubdetebly the elaborate woodwork on the right-hand wall of the pub, which echoing the bar backdrop is a series of arches, but this time inlaid with mirrors. Around each mirror are coloured tiles depicting various knights and maidens. It’s really quite impressive. Red leather bench seating was in front of this, along with small round tables, and there were also high stools at the bar. There appeared to be a further saloon bar at the rear, although I did not investigate this.
Beers on tap were both from Stewarts with their Edinburgh Gold and Pentland IPA. A third pump was in the process of being cleaned, but the friendly barman informed me that it would shortly have Wee Jock on. The solitary cider was a rather disappointing Magners.
On 15th November 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1947 recommendations about 1860 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Bennets Bar
Bennets Bar is a wooden floored high ceiling bar with many original Victorian features including a snug at the front behind coloured glass windows, a bottle hatch, patterned leaded front windows and a fireplace on the rear wall. The bar along the left wall supports three hand pumps that were drawing Sinclair’s Dark Island, Spey Valley’s Still Man’s IPA and Fyne Ales Jarl. Standard keg is also available. At the rear is another bar, that used to be Tables. Not knowing this I walked into, what was, Tables and asked the barman for a beer and he said the he had just closed and directed me through a door to the other bar, which was Bennets Bar. Yes I was confused for a few seconds! This place is well worth a look, especially for fans of historic pubs.
On 9th September 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5233 recommendations about 5201 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Bennets Bar
Another CAMRA National Inventory pub, this one is of national importance and upon entering it’s very easy to see why - a fantastic late Victorian interior, largely intact. So much to see in what is actually quite a small space it almost bowls you over; from the magnificent bar gantry with inlaid clock, the carved wood servery, the leaded stained glass at the front, to the jumbo arched glass walls with various Grecian figures depicted in the surround tiling through to the beautiful coloured flower dado/cornice, all set-off by sodium lighting. A quiet pub, so unspoilt by bleeps and looming muted TV sets. Three cask on the go; Stewart's 80/- and two from Loch Leven. My half of the latter’s Outlaw King was in great shape (NBSS 4). A must-visit pub in Scotland, let-alone Edinburgh.
On 15th November 2021
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Bennets Bar
Another perfect pub with a classic interior. Excellent beer. Mix of punters.
Enjoyed my visit and would go again when in area.
Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2D0AhUB
On 11th January 2018
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1337 recommendations about 1323 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Bennets Bar
Ornate traditional interior serving 3 real ales. Located next to the kings theatre.
On 16th September 2013
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Bennets Bar
Interesting-looking place, with stained glass and etched glazing promoting the former W & J Jenningsons Leith brewery in the front windows and door panes. Inside, the main rectangular room has a small bar along one side and very traditional furniture and decor. Splendid wooden gantry behind the bar, displaying a good range of bottled spirits. Maps inlaid into the little round tables. Known as a folk music venue, but gentle background jazz was playing. Sports TV showing, surpringly perhaps, American football. Separate back bar serving more as a dining room. 'Malt of the Month' promotion plus a gin menu. Real ale from four old-fashioned Scottish 'tall founts' and two handpumps, including a fine Caledonian 80/- (£3.50). Overall, well worth seeking out.
On 28th January 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8088 recommendations about 8088 pubs]