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(A) List of Leith Pubs Most long since gone - and a few comments (B) Recollections of Leith Pubs |
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(A) List of Leith Pubs Most long since gone with thanks to Frank Ferri for also providing the first 50 pubs below |
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1. [Name?] Laurie St / Constitution St |
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Comment 1 "I'm told that this pub was Sowersbays" Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: October 12, 2008 |
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Comment 2 "I think this pub was The Alan Breck, named after a character from the works of Robert Louis Stevenson." David King, Trinity, Edinburgh: March 13, 2011 |
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Comment 3 "There was indeed a bar called Sowersby's. It was opposite the Alan Breck. Sowersby's was demolished in the mid- to late-1960s, to make way for the Kirkgate high rise flats. The owner of Sowersby's was my uncle, Johnny Sowersby. He then went on to work for Wilkes in Henderson Street." Alison Campbell (née Sowersby): July 20, 2012 |
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2. Angel Former Flying Angel Seaman's Mission, The Shore |
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3. Artisan North Fort St |
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4. Barney Battles Newhaven |
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5. Berry's Junction Bridge/Ferry Rd |
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Comment 1. Frank Ferri Edinburgh "The Bars used by wrestlers were Berry's and Cousin's. These were the nearest to the Eldo, As kids, we used to hang around there also, waiting for the wrestlers to come out." Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: October 15, 2008 |
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6. Berry's Two North Fort St / Lapicide Place |
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7. Big Pipes Kirkgate / Charlotte St |
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8. Bill's Bar The Shore next to Ship Inn |
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Comment 1. Frank Ferri Edinburgh "I took this photo of Bill's Bar on The Shore at Leith, next to Ship Inn, opposite where DeNero boat restaurant is now moored, around 1960 when I had just bought my first 35mm camera. Bills bar, at the time, was the only one on the Shore area (known for its reputation for dancing girls) to discourage ladies of the night. It was a basic pub with typical low maintenance Formica covered bar and furnishings of the era." Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: August 8, 2012 |
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However, after reading Frank Ferri's message above, Sue McIntosh sent this reply, which I've now passed on to Frank for his reaction. |
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Comment 2. Sue McIntosh Rural New South Wales, Australia "I am the granddaughter of 'Bill' and spent many hours in his pub, Bill's Bar, while it was closed to the public,, during my childhood. My mother, Bill's daughter, is still alive and was appalled to read that the comment that the pub was renowned for dancing girls. My parents, and my grandparents, Bill and Frances, were the only people who ever worked the bar. My mother says there were never any dancing girls there. My grandparents owned this pub until the early 1970s and the man in your photo is certainly not my father or grandfather, and the front of the bar doesn't look at all familiar. Do you think you could be mistaken about this pub. Might this photo be of another pub on the docks, and the Frank's comments be referring to that pub?" Sue McIntosh, Australia: December 9, 2012 |
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The discussion continues. Frank Ferri replied ... |
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Comment 3. Frank Ferri Edinburgh "As an ex merchant seaman I was very familiar with the Shore. I took the picture in question circa early-1960s., The photo is definitely of Bill's Bar, though the view may have been reversed in printing the photo. Bill's Bar was close to the Ship Inn. I do not suggest the man in picture is Bill The comments that I sent with the picture may have been misleading. What I was meaning to say was that the Shore, in general, was synonymous with dancing girls and ladies of the night, but that Bill's Bar did not tolerate this. No offence was intended to Bill's granddaughter or family." Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: August 10, 2012 |
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... and Susan McIntosh wrote: |
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Comment 4. Sue McIntosh Rural New South Wales, Australia "The more I look at this photo, the more I think that it is actually Bill's Bar. My grandparents, Bill and Frances Phillips lived in Easter Road. My Mum and Dad, along with my sister and I, lived in Albert Road, but emigrated to Australia in 1967." Sue McIntosh, Rural New South Wales, Australia: December 10, 2012 |
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Thank you to Eric Fitzpatrick adding to this discussion with the message below for Sue McIntosh. (I've emailed Sue to tell her about this message.) Eric wrote: |
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Comment 5. Eric Fitzpatrick Rural New South Wales, Australia The Barman "Sue: The picture could possibly be Bills Bar but the Barman, I think, is a man called Adam who worked in Ma Scott's in Rose Street and in Blue Blazer Spittal Street." Bar Entertainment "I remember your Grandparents very well. I was very friendly with them, and you are right they did not entertain the girls in the Bar. The only entertainment was your Grandmother who loved to play Connie Frances' record 'Lipstick on you Collar' on the juke box." Behind the Bar "Bill used to ask me occasionally to give a hand behind the bar when I was on leave. He was a great lad! The only other people, apart from your Mother and Father, who worked there were Maisie the cleaner and her husband Bill. I remember you and your sister, although you will not remember me I, along with my girl friend, Mary Steven, did the odd baby sitting of you for your Mum and Dad at Albert Road. All the best to you and your family." Eric Fitzpatrick, Skipton, North Yorkshire, England: October 2, 2013 (3 emails) |
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9. Black Bull Salamander St |
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10. Bonnington Toll Bonnington Rd/Newhaven Rd |
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11. Bridge Bar Bowling Green St top of Bangor Lane |
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12. Caledonian Bar Leith Walk |
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13. Coburg Bar Coburg St |
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14. Commercial Bar Dock St |
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15. Copperfield Marinelo's Leith Walk |
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16. Corn Exchange Salamander St |
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17. Cousins Corner Great Junction St / Bowling Green St |
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Comment "The Bars used by wrestlers were Berry's and Cousin's. These were the nearest to the Eldo, As kids, we used to hang around there also, waiting for the wrestlers to come out." Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: October 15, 2008 |
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18. Dolphin Crown St |
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19. Drift Newhaven Main St, overlooking Fishmarket Sq |
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20. Hawthorn Between Bowling Green St & Bangor Rd |
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21. Junction Bridge Ba Sherry's Corner Junction Rd / Ferry Rd |
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22. Kings Arms
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Comment "I noticed that under 'Kings Arms' you have the name Smybergs, the proper name is Smibert. Charlie Smibert was my Dad. He had the pub until 1955. Prior to that it had been owned by his mother Margaret Smibert (née Gifford) until her death approx 8 yrs previous. After owning 'The Spread Eagle Hotel' in Jedburgh for a number of years, my Dad and Mother came back to Edinburgh where my Dad managed 'The Balfour Bar' and also 'The Anchor Bar'." Diane Simpson, Bradford, Ontario, Canada: February 21, 2013 |
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23. Lothian Bar Bonnington Rd |
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24. Maggie McFadyens Newhaven Main St |
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25. Man At the Wheel Sandport St |
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26. Marina Hotel Newhaven, now demolished |
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27. Meiklejohns Kirkgate |
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28. Minto's Flower of Scotland etc Academy St / Duke St |
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29. Mr Smiths Burns St off Lochend Rd |
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30. Myles Dolan's Broad Pavement Henderson St |
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31. New Dock Tavern Commercial St |
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32. Nobles NOW OPEN AGAIN Constitution St |
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Comment 1 "I was reading, with great interest, Frank Ferri’s report on my drinking dens in Leith that have now bitten the dust.What threw me for six was Nobles, a great lively bar. It was my favourite in Leith. I'll email Frank bout it and ask what has become of it - a yuppie posh bistro I reckon. It was a huge bar and plenty of atmosphere and the landlady was great and stood no nonsense from anyone." Eric Gold, East London: October 11, 2008 |
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Comment 2 "Nobles, like many in the license trade in Leith have found business tough. Most pubs in the Shore now sell food. Maybe that's the gimmick, or maybe it's the location. For a while, they had live bands on Fridays and Saturdays. Who knows? It may open up again. In my old dancing days at the Assembly Rooms, that used to be my last watering hole before dancing" Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: October 12, 2008 |
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Comment 3 "Nobles was a busy joint. I'd put a bet on that it was the busiest bar in Leith, despite the big cat in Fairley’s (ha ha ha ha)." Eric Gold, East London: October 12, 2008 |
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Comment 4 "I see that Nobles has re-opened and is looking very nice." J Darroch, Edinburgh: June 16, 2009 |
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33. North British Bar (Hares) Duke St |
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34. OK Kirkgate |
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35. Old Ship Inn Fishmarket Sq Newhaven |
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36. Old Vic Bar Junction St now bookies |
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37. Olympia Bar Bonnington Rd |
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38. Portland Bar Corner of Portland St / Hamburgh Pl |
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39. Princes Kirkgate |
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40. Schooner Pitt St |
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41. Sinclair's Corner Sandport S t /Commercial |
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. Sowersbays See 1 above. |
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42. Spiral Holme's Bar, Constitution St |
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43. Spotted Dog Bonnington Rd |
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44. Steamboat Tavern Commercial St, next to old railway station |
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45. Thorntree Thorntree St/Easter Rd |
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Comment 1 "The Thorntree Bar was on the corner of Ferrier Street / Easter Road. Above the Thorntree Bar there was a pawnbroking business, which was entered from Ferrier Street. The pawnbroker's windows overlooked the Easter Road thoroughfare. I have drunk in the Thorntree Bar and the Football Arms frequently. I'm saying no more on the subject of the pawnbroker." James Brown, Perth, Western Australia: October 12, 2008 |
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Comment 2 "Sorry to contradict J Brown, Australia. But why would the pub on Ferrier Street be called the Thorntree, when the second street up from it is called Thorntree Street? - Ferrier Street, Gordon Street, then Thorntree Street. It doesn't seem logical somehow." Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: October 13, 2008 |
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Comment 3 "Sorry Frank, but logic doesn't come into it. The fact is 'The Thorntree Bar' was on the corner of Ferrier Street / Easter Road. I lived next door to it. Check the old Street, Business or Telephone Directory's, in the Central Library, on George the Fourth Bridge. The Thorntree Bar and the Football Arms Bar (50 below) were both still there in the early-1960s." James Brown, Perth, Western Australia: October 14, 2008 |
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Comment 4 "Apologies to James Brown. I defer to his better local knowledge as he lived in the area." Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: October 14, 2008 |
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Comment 5 "My father was a train driver and worked from Leith Central station so the pictures of Leith Central brought it back to me. He also worked in the Thorntree Bar which was on the corner of Ferrier Street at James Brown said. My mother was also cleaner there." Lorna Macey, Fife, Scotland: October 20, 2008 |
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46. Trade Winds Merchants, Fairley's of Leith, Commercial St |
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47. Vintage Henderson/Giles Streets |
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48. Ye Old Pipes The Wee Pipes, Carpet Lane |
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49. Wright's Bonnington Rd |
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Comment "If this is the pub known as Mag Wright's, I recall a conversation between my late Uncle Frank Renton, and cousin Robert Roger in the spring of this year. Bob and I where over from Canada to visit with Frank I'm sure that Uncle Frank said that the real name of the pub was the Abbotsford Bar. The street that may have intersected with Bonnington Road may have been Abbotsford some time before. Unfortunately, Uncle frank passed away on November 30th. He will be missed by us all. He lived in Block B Bangor Road, Bonnington Road, Pennywell Gardens, Silverknowes and possibly other places around Leith. He was a lorry driver, and knew many people and places. He was well known around Newhaven Fishmarket. George Renton, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada: December 15, 2008 |
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50. Ye Old Football Arms Easter Rd/Ferrier St |
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Comment "The Football Arms was on the corner of Thorntree Street and Easter Road. I have drunk there, and in Thorntree Bar, frequently James Brown, Perth, Western Australia: October 12, 2008 |
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51. Dan Cowan's Foot of Leith Walk, near Crown Place and Crown Street |
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Comment "Dan Cowan’s, this was at the bottom of Leith Walk near Crown Street and Place. The pub may have had another name and Dan Cowan may have been the name of the owner or manager. As I lived on the other side of Leith Walk I clearly remember a piper playing outside. This was in the 1930s." Bill Cunningham, Leith: October 26, 2008 |
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52. The Bowler's Rest NOW OPEN AGAIN
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Comment 1 "The Bowler's Rest was owned in the 1960s by Lawrie Riley, a famous Leith footballer." David Barrie, Adelaide, South Australia |
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Comment 2 "I think The Bowler's Rest was on the corner of Elbe Street and Mitchell Street. I believe it was the nearest pub to the bowling green at Leith Links. It was owned by Lawrie Reilly, the former Hibs and Scotland football player." Lewis Wood:20 July + 6 November 2015 |
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Location "I see that for No.52 in this list of Leith Pubs, you give the address of The Bowler's Rest as being 'Foot of Leith Walk'. I used to go to Lawrie’s as we called it on a weekly basis and I can confirm that it was on the corner of Elbe Street and Mitchell Street as stated by Lewis Wood in his comment above.
One can never tell how recent a Google 'Street View' is, but it’s certainly showing the pub at the Elbe Street location." Lawrie Reilly "Lawrie was a genial mine host and had a wealth of anecdotes about his days as a footballer and some of the characters he played with and against. He always had time for a blether whether he was behind his bar or at a function or match at Easter Road. The last time I had the pleasure of speaking to him was some years ago now, at the official opening of the Hibs training centre at East Mains." Donald Grant, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland: 9 November 2015 |
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Comment 1 "Another old pub that could be added to the list above is 'The Drawbridge'. It was owned by Jimmy Leslie, a traveller with Melrose Drovers." Eric Fitzpatrick, Skipton, North Yorkshire, England: October 2, 2013 (3 emails) |
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Comment 2 "The Drawbridge pub was on the corner of Ferry Road and Great Junction Street,*** close to Leith Library and Junction Road Railway Station beside the Water of Leith.
Kenneth Williamson, Silverknowes, Edinburgh. Chat, October 3, 2013 |
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" 'The Drawbridge' can still be found in Leith, but now it is under another name. It's next to the King's Wark on the Shore - not on the corner of Ferry Road and Great Junction Street as the picture shows: Drawbridge - The Shore The pub on the corner of Ferry Road and Great Junction Street was 'Junction Bar'." Eric Fitzpatrick, Skipton, North Yorkshire, England: October 2, 2013 (3 emails) |
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Pubs Still Open |
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Not all the Leith Pubs have vanished. Many are still open. Here are some photos of one of them: |
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Central Bar near the foot of Leith Walk |
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B. Recollections of Leith Pubs |
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1. |
Eric Gold |
Leith Pubs |
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2. |
Frank Ferri |
Jug Bars The Ladies Empty Beer Bottles |
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3. |
Bill Cunningham |
Joug Bars |
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4. |
Ian M
Malcolm |
Closing Times |
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5. |
Sheila
Fraser (née Black) |
1970-1974 What was S/B |
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with replies from
Neil Lawrence
Frank Ferri
John Stewart
John Stewart |
What was S/B Pubs - unlikely Wee Café What was S/B State Bingo |
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6. |
Below Queen's Hotel |
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7. |
Tom
McLuskey |
More Pubs - The King's Wark - Billy's Bar - The Tower Bar - Fairleys of Leith 1940s |
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8. |
Alistair Rankine |
Crown Bar |
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9. |
Frank Ferri |
Crown Bar Betty's 'Whispering Lounges' |
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10. |
Alice
Wilson |
Dolphin Lounge |
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11. |
Walter (Wattie)
Mason |
Dolphin Lounge Caledonian Bar |
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12. |
Alistair Rankine |
The Crown |
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13. |
Mike Crean |
Davey's Bar |
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14. |
Stuart Lyon |
Davey's Bar |
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14. |
Davey's Bar Gertrude |
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14. |
Davey's Bar |
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15. |
Kenneth Williamson |
The Tower Bar |
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16. |
Eric Fitzpatrick |
The King's Wark - The McCluskey Family |
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17. |
Kenneth Williamson |
Junction Bar |
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18. |
A Pub frequented by Mariners A Pub known as 'The Church' |
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19. |
Questions: The Jungle - The King's Wark - The Granary |
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19. Reply 1 |
Jim Bull |
Reply: The Jungle |
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20. |
Susan Crombie |
The Old Dock Bar |
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21. |
Many more pubs in Leith |
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Recollections 1. Eric Gold East End, London |
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Thank you to Eric Gold who wrote |
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Leith Pubs - Long since gone "It's sad to think that these pubs all made a living at one time. It's a sign of the times and people's changing social habits, I guess." Eric Gold: East London: October, 2008. |
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Recollections 2. Frank Ferri Newhaven, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Frank Ferri who wrote: |
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Jug Bars "I just had another memory flash - 'JUG BARS', as opposed to Milk Bars; that's another topic. Right up until at least the mid-1960s, most pubs, in Leith anyway, had a 'JUG BAR'. This usual was a small annex off the pub, usually situated at the entrance, the dimensions being about 6 feet 6 X 12 feet in size, with a small serving hatch inside, linked to the bar for discretion." |
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The Ladies "In days gone by, when women did not openly drink, or before it was acceptable for women to go in to bars, which were by and large was the domain of men only, this was a facility, where generally, elderly ladies could sit and have a quiet drink. Or in days of old, the wife or old granny would go in, armed with a jug/picture, which was filled with ale, covered with a tea towel and carried back to the house for Dad or Grandpa to consume with his meal after a hard days work at the shipyards or whatever." |
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Empty Beer Bottles "As kids, this is where we would take empty beer bottles to redeem the penny or two penny returnable charge. Sometimes you had to wander into a number of Jug Bars armed with an armful of bottles, before you got all the redeemable money, as each bar tender told you: "Sorry son, we don’t sell that brand of beer here.” So we had move on and on until we got rid of them. Often we were chased away by the bar staff. It was a similar scenario with lemonade bottles or jam jars. Give a bundle of lemonade bottles to a kid to redeem the refund now and they would turn up their noses. This is how WE earned some additional pocket money." |
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Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: October 17, 2008. |
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Recollections 3. Bill Cunningham Leith, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Bill Cunningham who wrote: |
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Joug Bars "I note that Frank Ferri (in Recollections 2 above) refers to Jug bars, but I am sure that in Scotland this would have been ‘Joug Bars’. Jug would have been thought 'awfy posh'!. In England they used the term The Snug." |
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Bill Cunningham, Leith, Edinburgh: October 26, 2008 |
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Recollections 4. Ian M Malcolm St Andrews, Fife, Scotland |
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Thank you to Ian M Malcolm for telling me of some of his experiences in and around Edinburgh while he was studying at Leith Nautical College in 1947-48. Ian wrote: |
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Closing Times "The closing time of the pubs was half-an-hour later in either Edinburgh or Leith. As the Pilrig Bar had a counter which stretched between both towns, patrons moved from one side to the other when the first closing bell was rung. (Was this before the amalgamation of Edinburgh and Leith in 1920? - Peter Stubbs) All pubs in Scotland were closed on Sundays, but as hotels were permitted to serve drinks to travellers, there was a considerable itinerant population. I heard of a merchant seaman obtaining a drink in Leith by stating that he was en route to Istanbul!" Ian M Malcolm: St Andrews, Fife, Scotland: January 24, 2010 |
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Recollections 5. Sheila Fraser (née Black) Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland |
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Thank you to Sheila Fraser for posting this message in the EdinPhoto guestbook. Sheila wrote: |
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1970-74 "I have been given my grandmother's diaries from 1970 to 1974 when she died. Every Thursday, there is an entry 'S/B', which I think might be a pub. It would have been within walking distance of 172 Great Junction Street. My grandmother went there for lunch. There are entries: - 'S/B very quite. Home at 1.45' - S/B very enjoyable. If you want to know what the weather was like on a particular day at the time, I can tell you. She comments on the weather every day, and sometimes twice a day." Sheila Fraser, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland: May 9, 2010 |
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What was S/B? If you have any idea what 'S/B might have been, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to Sheila. Thank you. Peter Stubbs: May 11, 2010 |
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Reply 1. to Recollections 5. Neil Lawrence Fountainbridge, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Neil Lawrence who wrote: |
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What was S/B? "Here are a few pubs from around that era and area that might fit the bill.
What do you think? A few are very close. Neil Lawrence, Fountainbridge, Edinburgh: May 11, 2010 |
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Reply 2. to Recollections 5. Frank Ferri Newhaven, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Frank Ferri who wrote: |
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Pubs - unlikely "I doubt very much if 'S/B' was a pub. In the 1970s, there were 6 pubs in Junction St, not including North Junction St which has two, but none was sophisticated enough to sell food. No. 172 Great Junction St, where Sheila's grandmother lived, is the old Co-Op tenement building opposite Bangor Rd. The nearest pubs to there would have been: - The Hawthorn, between Bangor Rd and Bowling Green St. - Cousin's between Bowling Green St and Ballantyne Rd. - Junction Bridge (Berry's) on the corner of Ferry Rd. |
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Wee Café "However, at 127 Junction St, next to the church, opposite Crabbie's old building, there is a wee Café - 'Up the Junction',. It has been there for a long time. |
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Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: May 12, 2010 |
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Reply 3. to Recollections 5. John Stewart Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland |
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Thank you to John Stewart for coming up with what appear to me to be very plausible suggestions. |
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John wrote: What was S/B? "Somehow, I don't think the lady in her diary was referring to bars. S/B suggests to me two places: 1. Store Boardroom: on the corner of Great Junction Street and Cables Wynd, at the traffic lights. This was the venue for wedding receptions, etc. until it was demolished and replaced with Telectra House. This, itself, has been replaced. 2. The Sally (Salvation Army) / Bangour Road. It ran lunch clubs, once a week on Thursdays. |
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John added: "My mother is now aged 102. She attended the Salvation Army lunch club at that time. She is still around. If I knew the deceased lady's name I could ask my mother if she knew her." |
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John Stewart, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland: 3 emails, all May 11, 2010 |
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Reply 4. to Recollections 5. John Stewart Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland |
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John Stewart, who sent 'Reply 3' above, runs the Old Leither web site. He added a question about 'S/B' to that site. |
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John wrote: State Bingo "I received this reply from Moira in my guestbook: ''Might I suggest that it was State Bingo. They had a pensioners' club, and they had an early session and lunch, one day a week. The other place that it could have been is Swanfield. At the top gate, down the wee lane, turn right and there was a wee building. That was the lunch club. My grandad went there up until he died.' Could this be it? |
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John Stewart, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland: May 12, 2010 |
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Recollections 6. Margaret Clarke |
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Margaret Clarke wrote: |
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Below Queen's Hotel "I wonder if anyone can supply the name of the pub below the Queen's Hotel at the foot of Leith Walk, as shown in photos from the late-1800s to early-1900s. In any photos that I have looked at, there is always a tram passing just in front, or the photograph is just too blurry." Margaret Clarke: August 22, 2010 |
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Reply to Margaret? If you know the answer to Margaret's question, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her. Thank you. Peter Stubbs: May 11, 2010 |
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Recollections 7. Tom McLuskey Canada |
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Tom McLuskey wrote: |
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More Pubs "I was reading and looking with great interest at the recollections of old Leith Pubs and noticed that four of the most well known pubs, not only in Leith but around the world, were not mentioned. They are: The Kings Wark "The Kings Wark was also known world-wide as The Jungle. It was right on the Leith Waterfront, a place for sailors of all nationalities to go and enjoy themselves. It was owned and run by Tammy Glasgow who was always good for a sub when we were waiting on a ship. He was always paid back when we returned from a trip, sometimes months later but always he was paid back." Billy's Bar "Billy's Bar also right on the waterfront. It was a good bar and was next door to the Merchant Navy Union Hall. The Tower Bar The Tower Bar was next to what used to be the Merchant Navy Hostel. Again, it was right on the Leith Waterfront Fairlies of Leith Fairlies of Leith was just across the old bridge from The Jungle Bar. It had a lounge that was second to none. With many of my friends, I spent many enjoyable evenings there. It was close to the Merchant Navy Offices 1940s These pubs were all active in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and right into the 1970s. I hope they brings back pleasant memories to all who frequented them especially to old seafarers Tom McLuskey, Canada: March 19, 2011 |
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Tom: More Pubs Thanks for your comments about the pubs above. I'm happy to include your comments on this page. However, I think the reason why these pubs had not been mentioned previously on this page is because the scope of this page was originally 'Leith Pubs. Long Gone'' Some of the pubs that you mention are not 'Long Gone'. They are still in business - though they may be better known now for their restaurant than for their bar. Peter Stubbs: May 19, 2010 |
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Recollections 8. Alistair Rankine Australia |
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Thank you to Alistair Rankine for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook. Alistair wrote: |
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Crown Bar "I wonder if anyone remembers the 'Crown Bar' and 'Dolphin Lounge' near the foot of Leith Walk. I managed this pub when it was owned by Willie Hare from 1972 to 1974 when I emigrated to Australia It was a great pub then. The customers were all really friendly, especially the crowd who used to come in to the lounge bar at opening time, 5pm. They all had their special likes. I remember some of my staff Madge, Margaret, Marie and Liz. I can't remember their last names. Guinness at 20p a pint. Those were the days!" Alistair Rankine, Australia: Message posted on EdinPhoto web site: July 7, 2011 |
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Recollections 9. Frank Ferri Newhaven, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Frank Ferri for sending a reply to Alistair Rankine's message in 'Recollections 8' above. Frank wrote: |
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Crown Bar "The Crown (and its Dolphin Lounge) was a great place, one of the very few in Leith in the 1970s. It had a nice, classy wee lounge where you could take your wife to. I knew the Dolphin owners many years ago. They moved to the foot of Easter Road to the Persevere, which has a nice, large, tasteful-decorated dining room." Betty's "The other place similar to the Dolphin was Berry's, on the corner of Ferry Road and Great Junction Street. It had soft, quite, non-intrusive background music, with free wee snacks on bar." 'Whispery Lounges' "I used to call these 'whispery lounges'. No-one raised their voices. There was nice, quiet conversation. Where do you find that now apart from high class hotels?" Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: July 7, 2011 |
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Recollections 10. Alice Wilson (née Ward) Christchurch, New Zealand |
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Alice Wilson replied to Alistairr Rankine: |
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Dolphin Lounge "I don't know the Dolphin Lounge personally as I was to young, but I remember my parents getting all dolled up on a Saturday night for their night out. That was in the late-1950s and early-1960s. Thanks for reminding me of that "
Alice Wilson (née Ward), Christchurch, New Zealand: |
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Recollections 11. Walter (Wattie) Mason Leith, Edinburgh |
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Wattie Mason also replied to the message from Alistair Rankine. Wattie wrote: |
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Dolphin Lounge "Sad to say, the Dolphin Lounge and Crown Bar is no longer. It is now Papa John's Pizza Takeaway." Caledonian Bar "The Caledonian Bar has also become a pizza bar - Dominoe Pizza Place." Wattie (Wattie) Mason, Leith, Edinburgh: Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book, July 8, 2011 |
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Recollections 12. Alistair Rankine Australia |
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Thank you to Alister Rankine for replying to Frank Ferri's comments (9 above). Alistair wrote: |
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The Crown "Frank is correct. Prior to the time when it was bought by Mr Hare, the owners of 'The Crown' opened a brand new pub, 'The Persevere', at the foot of Easter Road. On the first night, we were worried 'The Persevere' would take all their customers from 'The Crown'. When 'The Crown' opened at 5pm, not one customer came in. Then, around 5.30, they started to drift into 'The Crown' with the comment 'The new place is very nice but we like our own haunt.' So The Crown did very well for the two years I was there." Alastair Rankine, Australia: July 8, 2011 |
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Recollections 13. Mike Crean Dorking, Surrey, England |
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Mike Crean wrote: |
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Question Davey's Bar "Can anyone remember a pub called Davey's Bar near Portland Place, Leith, going past Angelosanto's ice cream shop, then the chip shop to the corner of Albany Street? There was a pub on one corner but you went past it and crossed the road. Right opposite was Davey's Bar. You went down a small flight of steps and there you were. Davey's name may have been Hutchinson. He was a really nice guy. More importantly, he served one of the best pints of McEwan's Heavy I ever tasted. He was famous for it. My mates and I were regulars from 1965 to 1971. The pub finally closed down when all the development took place around the late-1970s / early-1980s. It was demolished to make way for the new council houses all around that area. I hope someone might be able to share the memories of it." Mike Crean, Dorking, Surrey, England: August 13, 2012 |
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Recollections 13. Reply 1. Alice Stein |
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Alice Stein replied |
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Angelosanto's Ice Cream Shop "Angelosanto's ice cream shop was at No.18(?) Portland Place. There was a long marble counter on the left as you entered the shop, and on the right there were booths where, if you could afford it, the ice cream with fruit sauce poured over, was served in a dish. The family lived at No.19 Portland Place. The Angelosantos also owned a fish an chip shop a few doors away from the ice cream shopat No.21(?) Portland Place. They were a lovely family with excellent ice cream. Very, very occasionally, my dad would buy my sister and me a 'Macallum'. This was a scoop of ice cream with some red syrup on top, served in a dish, and we were allowed to sit in the booth opposite the serving counter while my dad bought his cigarettes and chatted to old Mr Angelosanto. Alice Stein, West Lothian, Scotland: 4 February 2017 + 20 June 2017 |
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Recollections 14. Stuart Lyon Blackford, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Stuart Lyon who wrote: |
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Reply "This may bring back some memories for Mike Crean who has written of his memories of this pub in Recollections 15 above." Stuart Lyon, Blackford, Edinburgh: August 15, 2012 Davey's Bar 1 Hamburg Place April 1963
© Reproduced with acknowledgement to the RCAHMS Photo No. RCAHMS Ed1648 |
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Recollections 14. Reply 1. David Petrie |
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Thank you to David Petrie who wrote: |
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Davey's Bar "It’s Christmas Day and we are sitting with the grannies who are reminiscing over their youth in Leith. We came across your web site and one of the grannies noted the Recollections 13 and 14 above, of Davey’s Bar at the corner of Hamburgh Place and Albany Street." Gertrude "Gertrude (one of the grannies) is the daughter of Davey and Nellie Hutchison who owned the bar from 1943 until 1971, when it was demolished. Gertrude recalls: - making apple tarts and vanilla slices which Davey gave to his customers. - an Arthur Peebles who was a carpenter in Robb’s, who made her a rolling pin which she still uses today. - George Mackenzie who worked for British Rail. He visited them at New Year. Gertrude's brother John and her uncle Robert also worked at Davey's occasionally. Robert is still alive and kicking living in Australia. Davey, Nellie and John have all passed away. Gertrude was so delighted to hear her father mentioned so fondly." David Petrie: December 25, 2014 |
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Recollections 14. Reply 2. David Petrie |
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Thank you to David Petrie for writing again. David wrote |
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Davey and Nellie "We've come across this photo of Davey and Nellie Hutchison behind the bar in "the shop". They never called it the pub - it was always called the shop." Nellie and Davey at the Bar
© Reproduced with acknowledgement to David Petrie David Petrie: December 27, 2014 |
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Peter Stubbs, Edinburg: December 27, 2014 |
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The Till I see that '3/-' has been rung up on the till. Might beer have cost three shillings a pint when this photo was taken? Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: December 27, 2014 |
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Recollections 15. Kenneth Williamson Silverknowes, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Kenneth Williamson who wrote: |
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The Tower Bar The Shore "The Tower Bar beside the Water of Leith at The Shore was popular with locals and visiting sailors. 'Ladies of the Night' and 'Go-Go Dancers' could be found there." Kenneth Williamson, Silverknowes, Edinburgh: Chat, October 3, 2013 |
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Recollections 16. Eric Fitzpatrick Skipton, North Yorkshire, England |
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Thank you to Eric Fitzpatrick who wrote: |
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The King's Wark "I agree with Tom McCluskeys comments about The King's Wark in his Recollections 7 above. The McCluskeys The McCluskeys, if I am remembering correctly were: - Father. I think he was a bosun - 2 sons. I think they drank at Bill's Bar and The Drawbridge. I believe that the family came from the Muirhouse District. I came from Crewe Road and was on the Leith Pool.** "
Eric Fitzpatrick, Skipton, North Yorkshire, England: October 6, 2013 |
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Recollections 17. Kenneth Williamson Silverknowes, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Kenneth Williamson who wrote: |
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Junction Bar " 'Junction Bar'*** was on the corner of Ferry Road and Great Junction Street, close to Leith Library and Junction Road Railway Station beside the Water of Leith.
Corner of Ferry Road On the southern bank of the Water of Leith (across the river from Junction Road Station was Hawthorn's locomotive works. Engines built there in the 19th century used to be floated across the river then lifted onto the railway beside Junction Road Station.
Junction Road Station When Hawthorn's closed, the Eldorado (a popular place for dancing and wrestling matches in the 20th century) was built on the site. opposite " Kenneth Williamson, Silverknowes, Edinburgh. Chat, October 3, 2013 |
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Recollections 18. Dr Meg Bateman Isle of Skye, Scotland |
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Dr Meg Bateman asks: |
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A Pub Frequented by Mariners "I'm interested in a pub in Leith that might have been frequented by Iain Dubh Macleod (1847-1901), a sailor from Skye, and other mariners towards the end of the 19th century? Iain Dubh told a minister in Skye, who suggested he should go to church, that he went to a church in Leith which was much better than the minister’s because it didn’t matter what creed you had, what colour your skin was or what your clothes were like. - 'What church is that?' said the minister. - 'An Eaglais a th' ann an Lìte' (The Church in Leith), he replied. Question
Was there a Leith
Pub "Do you know of any pub in Leith that was nick-named 'The Church' or 'The Kirk', that might have been frequented by mariners and perhaps Gaels? I wondered if it was a pub in the Kirkgate. I see from the list above that there were four pubs there: - Big Pipes - Meiklejohns - OK - Princes Iain Dubh Macleod told the minister that it was owned by one Donald or Ronald Bàn. Do you have any other suggestions? Dr Meg Bateman, Isle of Skye: October 1, 2013 |
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Recollections 19. Bill Galloway |
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Questions Bill Galloway wrote, asking two questions. I don't know the answers to them, myself. If you have any comments or answers, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass on your comments to Bill. Thank you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: April 12, 2015 Bill wrote: |
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Leith Pubs "Can you settle a pub debate?
1. Do you know why 'The
King's Wark' on The Shore at
2. The pub on The
Shore that is now named 'The Granary' Bill Galloway: April 12, 2015 |
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Recollections 19. Reply 1. Jim Bull Old Town, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Jim Bull for replying to the question that Bill Galloway asked in his Recollections 19 above. Jim wrote: |
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The Jungle "My late father worked as a barman in the King's Wark in the 1950s. It earned the nickname 'The Jungle' due to the nature of it's clientele, being right next to the port, and the number of altercations that took place both in and outside the pub." Jim Bull, Old Town, Edinburgh: April 12, 2015 |
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Recollections 20. Susan Crombie Leith, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Susan Crombie who wrote: |
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The Old Dock Bar "Does anyone have any memories of The Old Dock Bar, Dock Place, in Leith in the late-1960s and 1970s? I remember it as a tiny wee pub with 'Still Game' types at the bar! Who owned it back then before it was absorbed into restaurant premises? I had an idea it was a character called Betty Moss." Susan Crombie, Leith, Edinburgh: 31 October 2016 |
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Reply to Susan? If you'd like to send a reply to Susan, please email me to let me know, then I'll pass on her email address to you. Incidentally, Susan, I believe that Betty Moss owned the Old Chain Pier at Newhaven during the period that you mention. I don't know whether or not she also had an interest in any other pubs at that time. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: 31 October 2016 |
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Recollections 21. Adrian Cannon Lasswade, Midlothian, Scotland |
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Thank you to Adrian Cannon for taking the time to update my list of 'Leith Pubs - Long Since Gone'. Adrian wrote: |
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Many more pubs in Leith "Here are some of the pubs that are missing from the list above: 54. The Bey Horse (Henderson Street, now Sofiis) 55. The Cavern (Bernard Street) 56. The Dirty Windows (Charlotte Street, now closed) 57. Dizzys (Iona Street) 58. Duke's Head (Duke Street) 59. Foot of the Walk 60. Fox's (Bonnington Road) 61. Iona Bar 62. Mackays (Salamander Street) 63. Macphersons (Great Junction Street) 64. Mitchells (Duke Street) 65. Red Lion (Leith Walk. It opened at 5am for the Posties coming off night shift.) 66. Robbies (Leith Walk) 67. The Alhambra 68. The Balfour (Leith Walk. Now called Woodland Creatures) 69. The Boundary Bar (Leith Walk - It was literaly on the boundary between Leith and Edinburgh) 70. The Brass Monkey (Leith Walk) 71. The Carriers Quarters (Bernard Street) 72. The Copper Bowl (Constitution Street) 73. The Dalmeny (Leith Walk) 74. The Lorne (Leith Walk) 75. The Oceania (Ferry Road) 76. The Old Salt (Leith Walk. It opened at 5am for the Posties coming off night shift.) 77. The Port of Leith (Constitution Street: still going strong.) 78. The Spey (Leith Walk) 79. The Trafalgar (Henderson (Mill Lane) 80. The Volunteer (Leith Walk) 81. Wilkies These are just some of the pubs I drank in over the 32 years from 1984 to 2016 when I lived in Leith." Adrian Cannon, Lasswade, Midlothian, Scotland: 22 September 2019 |