Kenilworth, Edinburgh

One of Edinburgh’s four impressive 'single-room-with-island-bar' pubs. The walls are covered in blue and white Minton tiles, topped-off with rows of brown and white tiles finishing some two-thirds up the double-height public bar, which has a patterned plasterwork ceiling in red and cream. Built c.1780, the interior, by architect Thomas Purves Marwick, dates from 1899 and was subject to a very costly renovation by Alloa Brewery in 1966 using architects Covell Matthews. They restored the splendid mahogany island bar to its original position and renovated the decoratively carved front with its brass match-strikers under the rim; unfortunately, part of the right-hand side was lost in changes prior to 1966.

Even the damaged tiles were restored using majolica and it is difficult to distinguish them from the original Victorian ones. The original tiles have a smooth finish and much of the crazing (crack-like markings on the tiles due to ageing) is more like scratches; where the tiles have a relief/rough finish and the crazing forms a pattern the tiles are the restored/replacement ones. There is a massive Dryborough's of Edinburgh mirror. The short partitioning attached to the bar, and the pot-shelf are 1966 additions, which is the date the Scott Room, a small lounge / family room, was added down a new passage to the rear. Note the stained glass windows on the front and side in the first-floor area.

Listing upgraded to A in 2008 as a result of survey work by CAMRA.