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126 Accessible Edinburgh: A Festival Guide Drinking & Nightlife 127

Canny Man’s

0131-447 1484; http://www.cannymans.co.uk; 237 Morningside Rd;
buses 11, 15, 16, 17, 23

A lovably eccentric pub, the Canny Man’s is made up of a crowd-
ed warren of tiny rooms that are crammed with a bizarre collec-
tion of antiques and curiosities (a description that could apply to
some of the regulars), and where the landlord regularly refuses
service to anyone who looks scruffy, inebriated or vaguely pinko/
commie/subversive. If you can get in, you’ll find it serves excel-
lent real ale, vintage port and Cuban cigars, and the best Bloody
Marys in town. It’s listed as wheelchair-accessible on Yelp, but we
have no first-hand testimonial.

Pear Tree House

0131-667 7533; http://www.pear-tree-house.co.uk; 38 West Nicolson
St; 11am-1am; buses 2, 41, 42, 47

Set in an 18th-century house with cobbled courtyard, the Pear
Tree is a student favourite with an open fire in winter, comfy
sofas and board games inside, plus the city’s biggest and most
popular beer garden in summer.

Royal Dick

0131-560 1572; http://www.summerhall.co.uk/the-royal-dick; 1 Sum-
merhall; noon-1am Mon-Sat, 12.30-midnight Sun; buses 41,
42, 67

The quirky decor at the Royal Dick alludes to its past as the
home of Edinburgh University’s veterinary school – there are
shelves of laboratory glassware, walls covered with animal
bones, even an old operating table. But rather than being creepy
it’s a warm and welcoming place for a drink, serving craft gins,
malt whiskies, and ales produced by its own microbrewery. For
access information, see the review for Summerhall (p138).

Stockbridge

Stockbridge nightlife is decidedly low-key, consisting of tradition-
al pubs and laid-back bars.

Kay’s Bar
0131-225 1858; http://www.kaysbar.co.uk; 39 Jamaica St; 11am-
midnight Mon-Thu, to 1am Fri-Sat, 12.30-11pm Sun; buses 24,
29, 42

Housed in a former wine merchant’s office, tiny Kay’s Bar is

a cosy haven with a coal fire and a fine range of real ales. Good

food is served in the back room at lunchtime, but you’ll have to

book a table – Kay’s is a popular spot. It’s listed as wheelchair-

accessible on Yelp, but we have no first-hand testimonial.

Stockbridge Tap

0131-343 3000; [email protected]; 2 Raeburn Pl;

noon-midnight Mon-Thu, to 1am Fri & Sat, 12.30pm-midnight

Sun; buses 24, 29, 36, 42

This cosy bar has more of a lounge atmosphere (sofas at the

back) than a traditional Edinburgh pub, but the counter reveals

that it is dedicated to real ale – there are seven hand-pulled pints

on offer, with three house and four guest beers. There’s a good

range of craft gins too. There’s a 2-inch step into the building,

but it’s level inside and there’s an accessible toilet. Although it’s

spacious, it can get very busy in the evenings.

West End & Dean Village

The West End and the Theatre District are home to a handful of

good old-fashioned pubs, plus a smattering of newer places.

Ghillie Dhu

0131-222 9930; http://www.ghillie-dhu.co.uk; 2 Rutland Pl; 11am-3am

Mon-Fri, 10am-3am Sat-Sun; all Princes St buses

This spectacular bar, with its huge, chunky beer hall tables, leath-

er sofa booths and polished black-and-white tile floor makes a

grand setting for the live folk music sessions that take place here

every night (from 10pm, admission free). There is a ramp en-

trance next to the main entrance with an accessible toilet as you

come in on your left. There is a lift in the main bar to access the

auditorium.