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While this upmarket area of Edinburgh is known more for its coffee shop culture, there are a handful of pubs in Stockbridge worth checking out for date nights, boozy meetups or leisurely pints in the sun. We’ll identify which Stockbridge pubs serve food and what other amenities are on offer.
As always, reserve a seat at these New Town bars if you want to guarantee a spot to sip.
Don’t miss our guide to Stockbridge and Dean Village.
Stockbridge Pubs
1. The Raeburn
The Raeburn (12 Raeburn Pl) is a luxury boutique hotel in Stockbridge that is popular with locals, visitors, and guests.
This is especially true when the sun is out, as the bar has a decent-sized beer garden at the front of the building with a shade covering half the benches.
When the temperature drops or the heavens open, a contemporary bar inside the hotel offers a large range of wines sourced by the hotel wine merchant.
The restaurant serves food all day, but nibbles and sharing plates are available at the bar.
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2. The Place
The Pace (124c Raeburn Pl) is a bright and modern clubhouse for the oldest rugby club in Scotland, the Edinburgh Accies.
The bar is open to the public for food and drink, and the patio has views over the rugby pitch.
Dogs welcome.
3. St Bernard’s Bar
This traditional Stockbridge pub has been brought back to life as a cosy and welcoming yet stylish establishment.
St Bernard’s Bar (10 Raeburn Pl) has an intriguing speakeasy-themed upstairs bar with leather seats and red curtains dividing tables.
Beer is available on tap and by the bottle, wine is stocked, and signature cocktails are promoted.
Nice touches like Stroopwafel on top of mulled wine give this bar an edge.
Larger groups are welcome; call ahead or book via Instagram. Dogs welcome.
4. The Stockbridge Tap
As you may have guessed by the name, The Stockbridge Tap‘s (2-6 Raeburn Pl) unique selling point is beer.
This laidback pub has avoided the gentrified vibe which you will find at many Leith pubs, letting its kegs do the talking.
There is an extensive menu of local and international beer and options for gluten-free drinkers.
Due to its size, it is best to look elsewhere if you are drinking in a large group.
Dogs are welcome at this unpretentious pub.
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5. Hectors
“A Stockbridge pub with a big heart”, drinks include cider, beer, wine, long drinks and soft drinks at Hectors (47-49 Deanhaugh St).
Scottish rugby is a reason to visit Hectors; group tables can be booked in advance.
Hectors is as much about the food as the booze, with locals enjoying the Hectors Brunch Club.
Hectors Sunday roast is also a popular reason to dine and drink in Stockbridge.
Read next | Where to eat in Stockbridge
6. Hamilton’s Bar and Kitchen
An established Stockbridge bar, Hamilton’s (16-18 Hamilton Pl), has been in business in the area for over a decade.
Hamilton’s serves up a drinks menu of wine, cider, draught beer and cocktails and a food menu from morning to night.
All bread products are made in-house.
Staff are friendly, and the atmosphere is relaxed, with couches available to reserve for rugby games.
6. The Rag Doll
Newcomer The Rag Doll (4-6 Dean St) is just off Raeburn Place and provides a dimly lit ambience, perfect for date night.
We popped in for a pre-dinner drink and chatted with the owner while sitting at the bar.
I was having a night “aff” it and was asked if I like sweet or dry; sweet always, and a tasty mocktail was created for me; it was genuinely nice.
I don’t tend to trust off-the-cuff cocktails.
My partner had a craft beer, and the bartender left us to it, which was the right balance for interaction.
Will be back!
7. The Bailie Bar
The Bailie (2-4 St Stephen St) is one of Stockbridge’s basement bars close to the popular photogenic Circus Lane.
Like Circus Lane, the exterior of this pub is lined with colourful flowers.
The Bailie is a traditional pub with bar seating, tables and a real coal fire; I love this, especially the circular bar.
If you can’t get a seat at the bar, there’s a backroom with red leather seats, and I’m a big fan of the classic decor.
There are a handful of seats outside, too.
The drinks menu includes cask ales and malt whisky.
Food is served daily, sports are shown on the TV, and there are live music sets.
The Bailie has its regulars, but visitors and four-leggeds are welcome at “The Social Hub of Stockbridge”.
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8. The Antiquary Bar
Another basement bar around the corner from The Bailie, The Antiquary (72-78 St Stephen St) is a traditional pub that serves food and drink, naturally.
This cosy pub has a real fire, wooden tables and chairs, and wooden panelling.
The small bar is packed, and the long weekend menu features Scottish produce such as venison.
There is a weekly Wednesday quiz, and dogs are welcome.
Prefer to sit in the fresh air?
You’ll find a couple of tables and chairs outside.
This pub is named after the famous book The Antiquary by Sir Walter Scott and has been around for over three decades. St Stephen Street was once known for its antique shops.
If you think you met a friendly gal at The Antiquary but can’t be quite sure, there’s a chance you ran into the Baker lady, a spirit from the St Stephens Street fire which took place in the 19th century.
Social drinkers can join in the weekly pub quiz!
9. The Last Word Saloon
A naturally hip bar, The Last Word Saloon (44 St Stephen St) is known for its craft beer and cocktails served in a dimly lit setting.
This traditional bar is fused with trendy decor; the real fire has also been retained.
The Last Word Saloon is a must for cocktail fans, with one punter stating that these cocktails are better than some produced by the best cocktail bars in NYC.
Dogs welcome.
10. St Vincent Bar
St Vincent Bar (11 St Vincent St), or The Vinnie, is another dog-friendly pub in Stockbridge, and many pooches frequent this pub.
This pub made headlines this year by inviting locals to bring along a ‘vessel’ to collect free beer to stop its draught going to waste.
There are inside seats as well as a couple of outside tables.
Real ale and chicken wings by Feed Edinburgh are on the menu.
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