Edinburgh Pub Guide: Logie Bairds Bar

Logie Bairds Bar and the Bank Hotel

Occupying a prime location overlooking the crossroads between High Street and South Bridge is a building that looks as if it had to have been built as a bank. It was, in 1923, though the front-on view from across the High Street leaves you feeling that this is a distinctly skinny replica of the Bank of England.

Interior - The Gallery The Front of Logie Bairds Bar The Interior from the Front

The bank became the Bank Hotel in 1998. Its ground floor is occupied by Logie Bairds Bar, a triumph of dark wood and traditional pub styling including a large sort-of island bar. The bar is named after John Logie Baird (one of the fathers of television) and is themed around famous Scotsmen.

The Bar from Across the Royal Mile

The space above the bar serves as a mezzanine floor known as Logie Baird's Gallery (complete, interestingly, with the apostrophe that is missing from the name of the bar itself!)

Address: 1-3 South Bridge, EH1 1LL
Telephone: 0131 556 9940
Web address: www.festival-inns.com/barsandclubs_logies.htm
Email address: thebankhotel@festival-inns.co.uk
Opening hours, normal: 9.00am to 1.00am
Opening hours, Sunday: 9.00am to 1.00am
Real ales: Caledonian Deuchars IPA & 80/-
Whisky choice: A whisky menu with over 20 malts
Cocktails: Logie Baird's offer a cocktail menu
Hot drinks: Tea, coffees, hot chocolate
Food: Bar snacks
Food service times: From 9.00am to 9.00pm daily
Music: Background music is played
Policy on children's access: Families are welcome up to 10.00pm
Disabled access: Not good
Clientele: Popular with tourists, backpackers, business people and locals
Outdoor seating: Tables are set up outside in good weather
Other attractions: Both the balcony and the "bank manager's office" are available for hire (for parties up to 30). All major sporting events are shown live.
Features in: CAMRA's Edinburgh & SE Scotland Real Ale Guide (2004)
If there is anything above that needs updating, please let us know.