(A)

List of Leith Pubs

Most long since gone

(B)

Recollections

of Leith Pubs

(A)

List of Leith Pubs

Most long since gone

with thanks to Frank Ferri for also providing the first 50 pubs below

  1.  [Name?]

Laurie St / Constitution St

Comment 1

"I'm told that this pub was Sowersbays"

Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh:  October 12, 2008

Comment 2

"I'm 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

  2.  Angel

Former Flying Angel Seaman's Mission, The Shore

  3.  Artisan

North Fort St

  4.  Barney Battles

Newhaven

  5.  Berry's

Junction Bridge/Ferry Rd

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

  6.  Berry's Two

North Fort St / Lapicide Place

  7.  Big Pipes

Kirkgate / Charlotte St

  8.  Bills Bar

The Shore next to Ship Inn

  9.  Black Bull

Salamander St

10.  Bonnington Toll

Bonnington Rd/Newhaven Rd

11.  Bridge Bar

Bowling Green St top of Bangor Lane

12.  Caledonian Bar

Leith Walk

13.  Coburg Bar

Coburg St

14.  Commercial Bar

Dock St

15.  Copperfield

Marinelo's Leith Walk

16.  Corn Exchange 

Salamander St

17.  Cousins

Corner Great Junction St / Bowling Green St

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

18.  Dolphin

Crown St

19.  Drift 

Newhaven Main St, overlooking Fishmarket Sq

20.  Hawthorn

Between Bowling Green St & Bangor Rd

21.  Junction Bridge Ba

Sherry's Corner Junction Rd / Ferry Rd

22.  Kings Arms

Smybergs, Bowtow, Parrot Shop,
Newhaven Main St

23.  Lothian Bar 

Bonnington Rd

24.  Maggie McFadyens

Newhaven Main St

25.  Man At the Wheel

Sandport St

26.  Marina Hotel

Newhaven, now demolished

27.  Meiklejohns

Kirkgate

28.  Minto's

Flower of Scotland etc Academy St / Duke St

29.  Mr Smiths

Burns St off Lochend Rd

30.  Myles Dolan's

Broad Pavement Henderson St

31.  New Dock Tavern

Commercial St

32. Nobles  NOW OPEN AGAIN

Constitution St

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

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

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

Comment 4

"I see that Nobles has re-opened and is looking very nice."

J Darroch, Edinburgh:  June 16, 2009

33.  North British Bar

(Hares) Duke St

34.  OK

Kirkgate

35.  Old Ship Inn

Fishmarket Sq Newhaven

36.  Old Vic Bar

Junction St now bookies

37.  Olympia Bar

Bonnington Rd

38.  Portland Bar

Corner of Portland St / Hamburgh Pl

39.  Princes

Kirkgate

40.  Schooner

Pitt St

41.  Sinclair's

Corner Sandport S t /Commercial

   .  Sowersbays

See 1 above.

42.  Spiral

Holme's Bar, Constitution St

43.  Spotted Dog

Bonnington Rd

44.  Steamboat Tavern

Commercial St, next to old railway station

45.  Thorntree

Thorntree St/Easter Rd

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 the pawnbroker's windowsoverlooked 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

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

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

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

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

46.  Trade Winds

Merchants, Fairley's of Leith, Commercial St

47.  Vintage

Henderson/Giles Streets

48.  Ye Old Pipes

The Wee Pipes, Carpet Lane

49.  Wright's

Bonnington Rd

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

50.  Ye Old Football Arms

Easter Rd/Ferrier St

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

51.  Dan Cowan's

Foot of Leith Walk, near Crown Place and Crown Street

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

52.  The Bowler's Rest  NOW OPEN AGAIN

Foot of Leith Walk, near Crown Place and Crown Street

Comment 1

"The Bowler's Rest was owned in the 1960s by Lawrie Riley, a famous Leith footballer."

David Barrie, Adelaide, South Australia

Comment 2

"I am delighted to say that the Bowler's Rest is very much alive and has a very busy and welcoming feel about it.  It has been owned by Eric Morrison for about 17 years and I guess it hasn't changed a bit."

Alex Campbell, Edinburgh:  March 10, 2011

Pubs Still Open

Not all the Leith Pubs have vanished.  Many are still open.  Here are some photos of one of them:

Central Bar

near the foot of Leith Walk

©        ©

©       ©

B.

Recollections

of Leith Pubs

1.

Eric Gold
East End, London

Leith Pubs

2.

Frank Ferri
Newhaven, Edinburgh

Jug Bars

The Ladies

Empty Beer Bottles

3.

Bill Cunningham
East End, London

Joug Bars

4.

Ian M Malcolm
St Andrews, Fife, Scotland

Closing Times

5.

Sheila Fraser (nee Black)
Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland

1970-1974

What was S/B

with replies from

Neil Lawrence
Fountainbridge, Edinburgh

Frank Ferri
Newhaven, Edinburgh

John Stewart
Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland

John Stewart
Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland

What was S/B

Pubs - unlikely

Wee Cafe

What was S/B

State Bingo

6.

Margaret Clarke

Below Queen's Hotel

7.

Tom McLuskey
Canada

More Pubs

-  The King's Wark

-  Billy's Bar

-  The Tower Bar

-  Fairleys of Leith

1940s

8.

Alistair Rankine
Australia

Crown Bar

9.

Frank Ferri
Newhaven, Edinburgh

Crown Bar

Betty's

'Whispering Lounges'

10.

Alice Wilson
Christchurch, New Zealand

Dolphin Lounge

11.

Wattie Mason
Edinburgh

Dolphin Lounge

Caledonian Bar

12.

Alistair Rankine
Australia

The Crown

Recollections

1.

Eric Gold

East End, London

Thank you to Eric Gold who wrote

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.

Recollections

2.

Frank Ferri

Newhaven, Edinburgh

Thank you to Frank Ferri who wrote:

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."

 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."

 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."

Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh:  October 17,  2008.

Recollections

3.

Bill Cunningham

Leith, Edinburgh

Thank you to Bill Cunningham who wrote:

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."

Bill Cunningham, Leith, Edinburgh:  October 26, 2008

 Recollections

4.

Ian M Malcolm

St Andrews, Fife, Scotland

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:

 Recollections

5.

Sheila Fraser (nee Black)

Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland

Thank you to Sheila Fraser for posting this message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

Sheila wrote:

"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."

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

 Reply 1. to

Recollections

5.

Neil Lawrence

Fountainbridge, Edinburgh

Thank you to Neil Lawrence who wrote:

 Reply 2. to

Recollections

5.

Frank Ferri

Newhaven, Edinburgh

Thank you to Frank Ferri who wrote:

Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh:  May 12, 2010

 Reply 3. to

Recollections

5.

John Stewart

Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland

Thank you to John Stewart for coming up with what appear to me to be very plausible suggestions.

John wrote:

What was S/B?

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."

John Stewart, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland:  3 emails, all May 11, 2010

 Reply 4. to

Recollections

5.

John Stewart

Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland

John Stewart, who sent 'Reply 3' above, runs the Old Leither web site.

 He added a question about 'S/B' to that site.

John wrote:

State Bingo

John Stewart, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland:  May 12, 2010

Recollections

6.

Margaret Clarke

Margaret Clarke wrote:

"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."

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

 Recollections

7.

Tom McLuskey

Canada

Tom McLuskey wrote:

"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

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

 Recollections

8.

Alistair Rankine

Australia

Thank you to Alistair Rankine for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guestbook.

Alistair wrote:

"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

 Recollections

9.

Frank Ferri

Newhaven, Edinburgh

Thank you to Frank Ferri for sending a reply to Alistair Rankine's message in 'Recollections 8' above.

Frank wrote:

"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

 Recollections

10.

Alice Wilson (nee Ward)

Christchurch, New Zealand

Alice Wilson replied to Alistairr Rankine:

"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 (nee Ward), Christchurch, New Zealand:
Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book,  July 7, 2011

 Recollections

11.

Wattie Mason

Edinburgh

Wattie Mason also replied to the message from Alistair Rankine.

Wattie wrote:

"Sad to say, the Dolphin Lounge and Crown Bar is no longer. It  is now Papa John's Pizza Takeaway."

"The Caledonian Bar has also become a pizza bar  -  Dominoe Pizza Place."

Wattie Mason,  Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book,  July 8, 2011

 Recollections

12.

Alistair Rankine

Australia

Thank you to Alister Rankine for replying to Frank Ferri's comments (9 above).  Alistair wrote:

"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

Leith Snooker Halls

Recollections  -  Leith

Recollections  -  More Pages