Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Disappointment of the week with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Halfway House, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH1 1BX
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Peter Rydings left this review about Halfway House
One of my favorite pubs in the city always call when here only thing its the steps up to it
On 12th August 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 948 recommendations about 917 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Halfway House
Had to use the full google maps facility on the iPhone to find this one, with its hidden location down the steps of Fleshmarket Close but it was well worth the effort.
A small, traditional pub as well described by previous reviewers and still an independent Free house (apparently there are very few of them left in Edinburgh ) which regularly gets in the GBG for its regularly changing range of well kept real ales
Standing room only for our evening visit, but you don’t mind that when you have an excellent pint of Kelburn Regnitz to enjoy. That was one of four regional Scottish beers on the go, including others from the Alechemy and Fyne Ales Breweries.
On 4th August 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about Halfway House
A cosy tiny bar halfway down one of the Closes between the Royal Mile and entrance to Waverley Station.
The landlord/barman is one of those miserable people who can't help portraying a feel that he doesn't want to be serving you, though he did seem to be trying and I can't even put it down to him being a dour Scot as he appeared to be English!
Despite that the pub is a little gem, especially if you get a seat, there is a train theme to the art work suggesting its closeness to the station, its just a lovely little snuggly feel of Edinburgh.
Good beer choice and quality.
On 25th April 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1456 recommendations about 1434 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Halfway House
This small pub is tucked up a flight of stairs in a passageway near a side entrance to Waverley Station. After the number of pubs I had visited that day I still amaze myself that I could a) find it and b) negotiate the stairs to visit it.
The odd shaped interior is somewhat compact to be polite about it. The front section has a small TV near the doorway and limited seating. The bar cuts across the middle of the pub at an angle and to the right is a rear section with a couple of bays of seating.
There is a strong railway theme throughout with lots of railway memorabilia, pictures, maps etc alongside a touristy selection of baseball caps, mugs, t-shirts and Polo shirts for sale so it’s clear that the pub isn’t sufficiently tucked away to be off limits to the sightseeing fraternity.
There are generally 4 rotating ales available, mainly from Scottish micros albeit there were only 3 on my visit, all from Stewarts (80/-, IPA and Edinburgh No.3). CAMRA members are afforded a 20p discount on every pint, something I didn’t realize at the time, but then I was probably to plastered by then to care!
It is a quaint little place that I would certainly revisit, preferably towards the start of the day when the beer intake hasn’t had too much of an effect and when vertical drinking is less of an option.
On 14th December 2011
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Halfway House
A small and cosy pub, situated halfway up a flight of steps (a close) between Waverley Station and the Royal Mile. The inside is very compact, L-shaped with a few small round tables, a short bar area and a food servery. Decor is mainly railway themed with photos of old engines, framed tickets and timetables, ticket machines, train lamps etc. The beers and food menu are listed outside on two chalkboards either side of the entrance, beerwise there are four on handpump from generally smaller independent Scottish brewers. I had the Kelburn Tartan Army, which I understand to be an occasional and seasonal brew, the occasional being when the Scottish football team are playing as they were on Saturday against the Czech Republic. A pleasant straw coloured beer it was at 4.3%. A fair old selection of single malts were on sale too. There is a TV in this pub but the football was being covered by Freeview radio which kept the place convivial and civilised, whereas some other bars we passed were rather boisterous. We didn't eat but the food was keenly priced and leaned towards traditional Scottish fare like Cullen Skink, Stovies, Neeps and Tatties as well as regular pub staples.
The barman and a few punters stood at the bar were very friendly and helpful, I was offered a taster of all four beers while I dithered making my choice. Highly recommended.
On 4th September 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Halfway House
Tiny little pub close to the Royal Mile and the main station, but a bit hidden away in one of the many alleyways and flights of steps. Only room for a few tables inside (plus several more outside in the event it ever stops raining), with a miniture bar with just enough space for four handpumps. These offer two beers from Inveralmond, an EPA and Stewarts Edinburgh No. 3 (all £3.10). CAMRA-award winning, and justifiably so - a 'must visit' without doubt (if you can get a seat...).
On 13th February 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
I L left this review about Halfway House
One of Edinburghs little gems. Very small cost pub just minutes from Edinburgh Waverley station part way up the flight of steps to old Edinurgh. Always a good range of Scottish ales on ( and good selection of malt whiskies). Even if you only have half an hours train connection it is possible to have a quick drink in here. Never found the staff to be anything but friendly here although we normally only manage one vista a year.
On 16th October 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 287 recommendations about 284 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Shawn Watson left this review about Halfway House
Cosy and relaxing if you can get a seat. Bar staff are bit abrupt and unfriendly at times. Food is sometimes good, sometimes bad. Lovely train theme across the walls. Good range of whisky.
On 29th September 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5 recommendations about 5 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about Halfway House
Without doubt this is one of the best pubs in Scotland. The Halfway House is a small, cosy establishment hidden away between Waverley Station and The Royal Mile. I've been told it has appeared in dramas such as Rebus, but I wouldn't swear to that as I don't usually bother with such distractions. It's usually packed, but when you do find space it offers an excellent range of beers, changing regularly. Bar food is also available, reasonably priced and in sensible (ie not fat-boy enormous) portions. The staff can be a bit unpredictable, but on the whole I've found them OK. There was only time for one Caledonian this time, but it was pefectly kept and did the job. I am happy to spend a whole afternoon and evening here (I have done so in the past when time allowed), and always make this my first port of call when I'm in town. An essential part of any city crawl, and remember to ask for the CAMRA discount.
On 20th May 2010
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3281 recommendations about 3246 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
James Joines left this review about Halfway House
During April an ever changing selection of seasonal ales from Scottish Microbreweries plus a few from the North of England will be available.
On 10th April 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 841 recommendations about 835 pubs]