Edinburgh Pub Guide: Deacon Brodie's Tavern

Deacon Brodie's Tavern

Deacon Brodie's Tavern occupies a prime location on the corner between Lawnmarket - part of the Royal Mile - and Bank Street, one of the main thoroughfares up from Princes Street. It is named after Deacon William Brodie, the man who inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's novel The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Pub Sign Exterior in Sunshine

Deacon Brodie (1741-88) was a respected cabinet-maker and a member of the Town Council, and Deacon (head) of the Incorporation of Wrights and Masons. But Brodie lived a double life, developing an expensive lifestyle including mistresses and gambling that he could only support through a secret life of crime.

The Bar

Interior Seen from the Door

Looking Towards the Front Door

As a respected craftsman, part of Brodie's day job involved manufacturing and repairing locks. It became his practice to take copies of all the keys involved so that he could return some time later with accomplices as part of his night job.

Brodie's downfall followed an armed raid on His Majesty's Excise Office on Edinburgh's Canongate. One of the gang was caught red handed and although Brodie escaped to the Netherlands he was arrested in Amsterdam and returned to Scotland for trial. Brodie was found guilty after a search of his home revealed his stock of duplicate keys and he was sentenced to hang at Edinburgh's Tolbooth on 1 October 1788. Brodie bribed the hangman to ignore a steel collar Brodie was wearing, designed to keep him alive for long enough to be revived after the hanging. It failed, however, and Brodie's double life was over.

Deacon Brodie's Tavern has two floors, the bar downstairs and the restaurant upstairs.

Address: 435 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2NT
Telephone: 0131 225 6531
Opening hours, Monday to Thursday: 10.00am to 11.00pm
Opening hours, Friday and Saturday: 10.00am to 1.00am
Opening hours, Sunday: 10.00am to 11.00pm
Real ales: Deuchars IPA
Whisky choice: A huge selection of malt whiskies
Cocktails: No
Hot drinks: Tea, coffees, hot chocolate
Food: A restaurant upstairs and bar food downstairs. Traditional Scottish fare plus a large selection of seafood
Food service times: 12.00 midday to 10.00pm
Music: Live music on two nights each week during the tourist season
Policy on children's access: Children allowed in the upstairs restaurant, but not in the bar
Disabled access: There is a disabled ramp to the front of the building, plus a door bell for assistance. There is a disabled toilet on the ground floor
Clientele: Popular with tourists, regulars and passing trade
Outdoor seating: No
Other attractions: The history of the building and the magnificent ceiling
If there is anything above that needs updating, please let us know.

The Ceiling