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Image posted by Quinno _
Submitted on Saturday, 23rd October 2021
With picture contributions to 5297 other pubs
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Detail Pages
Athletic Arms (Diggers), Gorgie, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH11 2JX
Reviews of Athletic Arms (Diggers) (Average Rating: 9½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Athletic Arms (Diggers)
A smashing corner pub. Has had modernisation over the years but it manages to retain enough to have a CAMRA National Inventory listing. A big open-plan wedge-shaped bar on entering, with an out of use snug to the rear right. The main room has lots of big windows which allows the light to flood in, and look out for the jumbo compass on the floor. Tasteful red and cream colour scheme with some nice dado features as well as comfy banquette seating lining the walls. TVs with the volume up showing daytime crap nobody was watching was an unwelcome blot. Far busier here than most pubs I visited that day which was even more impressive given it was 3pm on a midweek afternoon and the atmosphere was already upbeat. Six ales were on (4x air pressure and 2x pump) which seemed a stretch, however my Fyne Jarl was in great shape (NBSS 4) and I toyed with staying for a second but my to-do list was just a bit too long. 8.5
On 15th November 2021
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5391 recommendations about 5374 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Athletic Arms
I've only known it as Diggers. A traditional interior with a central bar. Busy on my post rugby visit so not sure how many real ales served.
On 6th February 2016
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2902 recommendations about 2839 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Athletic Arms
A famous Edinburgh pub, lying between two cemeteries gives it the nickname of the gravediggers or usually just the Diggers, merchandise celebrating this can be purchased in the pub. Its corner location forms a triangular front room with a squarish servery against the back wall. The marble topped counter has two pulls and four air engines, all serving Scots beer including the special 80/- from Stewart brewing. The beer quality is excellent and the staff equally so. Their whisky festival was also on when I visited, 40 malts sold in proper Scots measures of 35ml at a fair price. Seating is traditional bench with the skinny tables used in Edinburgh, the Bow Bar has some as well. The ceiling is deeply coffered and there's some modern stained glass screens on the big clear windows although that round the entrance vestibules looks original, the floor is classic Victorian. The back bar is similar in style but more intimate. Get the bus out here from High St / South Bridge if you don't fancy the walk, you can also try the very different Caley Sample Room at the same time but I would definitely make the journey.
On 25th January 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3409 recommendations about 3099 pubs]
View more reviews of Athletic Arms (Diggers) (5)
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- H2G2 entry on The Althletic Arms, otherwise known as 'The Diggers' - H2G2 - Diggers Heavy
- Facebook - Athletic Arms
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Athletic Arms (Diggers) - 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.
- Accommodation : No last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : No last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- CAMRA Discount : Yes - 30p per pint. Excludes the £1 off one real ale Mon-Thu offer. - last updated 05 September 2022 by ROB Camra
- Car Park : No last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- Child Friendly : No last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- Darts : Yes last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- Function Room : Yes last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- Hot Food : No last updated 07 July 2021 by ROB Camra
- Karaoke : No last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- Live Music : No last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- Micropub : No last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- Pinball : No last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- Real Cider : No last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _
- WiFi : Yes last updated 15 November 2021 by Quinno _