The Waverley Bar

A folk music landmark

The pub occupies an 1891 building on the line of the 16th-century Flodden Wall. In the 1960s the first-floor lounge became one of the city's folk clubs, giving early stages to performers including Billy Connolly and The Corries. After restoration it reopened in 2017, and the pub says it intends to keep that tradition of folk and storytelling going.

Inside

Downstairs is a proper old-fashioned bar, with taxidermy crocodiles behind the counter and festival flyers pasted across the ceiling. Upstairs is a seated room for up to 60 that can be hired free for gigs, jam sessions, comedy, quizzes or parties. The pub also runs a whisky tasting experience. It is a small, unpretentious room, so the atmosphere depends on who is in, and that is part of the appeal.

Fitting it into your day

It sits at the bottom of the High Street section of the Royal Mile, by the World's End pub, so it makes a natural stop when walking down towards the Canongate and Holyrood. Afternoons are calmer; evenings, especially during the August festivals, get busy. Combine it with a walk round the Old Town's closes or an evening at a nearby gig.

Highlights

• Walker family pub since the 1920s
• 1960s folk club upstairs
• Billy Connolly and The Corries played here
• Whisky tasting experience

Good to know

• The upstairs room seats up to 60 and is free to hire.
• The pub's website does not mention food, so plan to eat elsewhere.
• It is just off the Royal Mile at the junction with St Mary's Street.

Frequently asked questions