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Heritage Pub

Abbotsford Bar & Restaurant, Edinburgh

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This traditional Scottish bar features a magnificent island bar and gantry in dark mahogany that have been fixtures since 1902. The ornate plasterwork and corniced ceiling are outstanding. The room is predominantly furnished with large tables and wooden bench seating. There's an interesting selection of real ales served by handpump and tall fount. An extensive food menu is available all day in the bar and the upstairs restaurant where real ale can be ordered and children over five are permitted. Owned by DM Stewart, who also have the Cumberland Bar, Guildford Arms and Ryries.

NOTE: Effectively closes to new customers when last orders is called 15 minutes before the time shown.

Information for this venue is provided by the Edinburgh & South East Scotland Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Last updated
05/05/2024
Last surveyed
24/01/2024
Pub ID
EDN/4
Asset of Community Value

Three star - A pub interior of outstanding national historic importance

Listed status: B

The Abbotsford was built in 1902 to designs by one of Edinburgh’s most prolific pub architects, Peter Lyle Henderson, for Charles Jenner of Edinburgh’s famous department store and features one of the finest examples of the typically Scottish island-style servery. Unusually there is no gantry in the middle, which no doubt explains the mahogany superstructure on top of the counter. Although such features, normally designed to hold pot-shelves, are now very common in pubs, they are usually no older than the 1960s and this example is a very early and ornate precursor of the type. The panelled walls have inlaid mirrors and there is a richly decorated high plaster ceiling. In the far left corner is the original snack counter, with a fine balustraded and mirrored gantry and various drawers. On the back wall opposite Rose Street is an annunciator box, which indicates that at one time (in addition to the main bar) there were a dining room, a private room and a smoking room. Alterations took place in the 1970s when the first floor was acquired for pub use and a staircase inserted. The Abbotsford is one of a handful of pubs in Edinburgh still using the traditional Scottish method of dispense – the tall fount (the ‘u’ is silent) – to dispense its range of real ales.

General information about historic pub interiors

One of the finest examples of an island-style pub built 1902 and, apart from changes to the rear of the pub, barely altered since. It is owned by Jenner's Edinburgh's famous department store. It is believed to have been built by Charles Jenner so that his workmen could spend their wages in his own establishment! Unlike the majority of these pubs, the Abbotsford has no island gantry. Instead, the there is a carved mahogany structure with a balustrade around the top perched on the bar counter similar to a modern day 'pot shelf' - Leslie's Bar has a similar arrangement. Designed by one of Edinburgh's most prolific pub architects, Peter Lyle Henderson, it is a red sandstone ashlar building with a corner turret.

In the far left corner is the original snack counter, an unusual survivor still in use for ordering meals at lunchtime, with a good back gantry with a balustrade, and bevelled mirrored panels. The dark, dado-panelled walls have inlaid mirrors; there are mahogany fittings including pediments above the doors, and a very decorative high ceiling in green and cream painted plaster. There was a small lounge at the rear of the bar but this was lost when the first floor was acquired for pub use in the early 1970s and a staircase built in its place. The upstairs restaurant has quality fittings including a small circular bar counter and panelled walls with inset mirrors but all date from the 1970s. The Abbotsford is one of only a handful of pubs in Edinburgh still using the traditional Scottish method of dispense - the tall fount (the 'u' is silent) - to dispense its range of real ales.

General information about historic pub interiors
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Opening
Food
Monday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Noon - 9:45pm
Tuesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Noon - 9:45pm
Wednesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Noon - 9:45pm
Thursday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Noon - 9:45pm
Friday
11:00am - Midnight
Noon - 9:45pm
Saturday
11:00am - Midnight
Noon - 9:45pm
Sunday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Noon - 9:45pm
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Current beers

This Pub serves 5 changing beers and 2 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Abbotsford Bar & Restaurant, Edinburgh

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Changing

Normally from smaller Scottish breweries

Changing beers typically include: Cromarty (varies) , Loch Lomond (varies) , Swannay (varies)

Source: Regional

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Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
Only for rugby and tennis
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Garden Garden
Pavement tables
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Children over 5 are only permitted in the upstairs restaurant. If over 14 they are permitted in the bar for meals until 5pm
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Events Events
Occasional Tap Takeovers
Restaurant Restaurant
Smoking Smoking
Pavement tables
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Free
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
Uses Autovac Uses Autovac
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes (320m)
Various
Open map, zoom in and hover on bus stop symbols to see route numbers
Close to metro (160m)
St Andrew Square
Nearby Station (355m)
Edinburgh
Directions
city centre
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