Edinburgh Pub Guide: Bannerman's Bar

Bannerman's Bar

Bannerman's Bar sits in a location that illustrates perfectly the three dimensional nature of Edinburgh's geography. Located on Cowgate, a street with a reputation for late night revelry, Bannerman's Bar abuts the point at which South Bridge crosses Cowgate.

Interior From Side Door Interior from Front

It is when you realise that several storeys above the vaulted cellars occupied by Bannerman's is accommodation which is at ground floor level when seen from South Bridge, that the sheer verticality of Edinburgh begins to dawn. The tall buildings on the rising ground to both sides of Cowgate close it in, giving the impression of an almost tunnel-like route linking the two sides of Edinburgh's city centre.

Door and Wall Signs

Inside you find evidence of Bannerman's origins as a wine merchants cellar, with a warren of vaulted interconnected rooms all with stone flagged floors.

Bannerman's was once a fairly traditional pub selling real ales. The real ales are still there, but the banner on the outside proclaiming it to be a students' den shows it has made a conscious effort over the years to appeal to the younger market, those who come to Cowgate for its many clubs. Bannerman's also offers a reasonably wide choice of malt whiskies, while food is often available. Live music to suit various tastes is hosted here on a regular basis.

The Bar