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The Captains Bar, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH8 9AA
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Captains Bar
Tucked away off the main south bridge/nicholson street drag handy for the national museum of Scotland. Long narrow bar with original bar fittings retained. 2 real ales served and regular live music.
On 9th August 2022
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blackthorn _ left this review about The Captains Bar
A small and cosy bar just a short stroll from the Royal Mile, live music seems to be something of a focus here and a (very) small stage area at the rear was put to good use while I was there. Interestingly there was a table and a couple of chairs here so it initially looked like just part of the pub, although there was also a guitar lent against the wall. Then a couple of guys who had been drinking at the bar sat down, one playing the guitar and the singing and the other playing a mouth organ. Whether they were just punters who took advantage of the opportunity or professional musicians I’m not sure, but they were pretty good in a rustic kind of way.
Décor wise it’s quite traditional, with some sort of lino on the floor, dark wood panelling on the lower part of the walls which extended to full height in some small areas at the front, and some ornate carved wooden units to the rear with a number of shelves and a mirrored backdrop. Sat on top of these was an upright torso of a pig dressed in a tee shirt, although the significance of this escaped me. A pleasant seating area was at the front of the pub adjacent to the large window, which included some lead work at the top, and there was also etched glass bearing the pub’s name in the door.
Beers on tap were Broughton’s Freemantle and Dark Dunter along with their own Captain’s Ale. Cider choice was rather disappointing with just Symonds Founder’s Reserve and Strongbow Dark Fruit. Overall, a decent enough little pub with a convivial atmosphere and friendly barmaid, and worth taking the short walk from the more touristy areas to check out.
On 9th January 2020
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1947 recommendations about 1860 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about The Captains Bar
another simple side street bar just off South bridge with folk musicians on. Some of who were performing a capella quite beautifully. Three real ales were on of which I tried the Jarl and Captains Ale. This is a lovely homely bar a world away from the soulless tourist nonsense up the road, where you feel amongst friends immediately upon entering.
On 7th December 2019
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
David Ross left this review about The Captains Bar
The acoustic guitars and violins decorating the interior walls and shelves and the posters advertising musical events reveal that this is a Mecca for folk music fans and musicians. It has live music every night until 1.00 a.m. and an impromptu session was underway when I called in on a Friday night. It's presumably a well known venue on the Edinburgh folk circuit, as T-shirts and mugs promoting the pub are on sale behind the bar. Two real ales were available in addition to the usual staples. There's a friendly and cosy atmosphere, but it's rather a pity it's so small. Seating was in short supply, with the musicians taking up a substantial share of the available space.
On 30th January 2012
- rating: 9
[User has posted 769 recommendations about 683 pubs]