Edinburgh Pub Guide: Doric Bar

Doric Bar

The Doric Tavern comprises the Doric Bar, on the south side of Market Street, and the Doric Bistro on the floor above. The Hebrides, next door to the Doric Bar and under part of the Bistro, is completely independent.

Interior View Fuller View

The name of the Doric Bar comes from a form of the Scots language now largely lost but still spoken a little in the north east of Scotland: especially in the Buchan area of Aberdeenshire, around Peterhead and Fraserburgh. The building in which it is found dates back to 1710, but there were buildings on the site at a much earlier date. The bottom end of Mary King's Close would once have emerged just to the west.

The View from the Pavement

The Doric Bar itself is bright, welcoming and attractive, and promotes itself as Edinburgh's oldest gastro pub. Bar food prepared in the bistro upstairs includes homemade favourites and an a la carte menu. The latter is also available in the bistro, which for much of the year also serves set lunch and pre-theatre dinner menus.

The Doric used to be known as McGuffie's Tavern. One real ale is available and the choice of malt whiskies and wine is good. The Doric is very convenient for the rear entrance to Edinburgh's Waverley Station, and as a result the clientele is very varied throughout the day: and often keeping an eye on the time!

Doric Bar Interior