Edinburgh pubs: 17 nostalgic photos looking back at nights out in Edinburgh's classic pubs

Edinburgh has always been a brilliant place for a night out

Published 17th Aug 2023, 04:45 GMT

Updated 9th Nov 2023, 09:38 GMT

Edinburgh has lots of great, classic pubs and has always been a great city for a night out. We’ve taken a look back through our photo archive to find images which look back at some great nights out over the years.

There are some great photos of old Edinburgh drinking establishments that are no longer with us, such as The Highway Man at the bus station and the Cavern in Leith. And there are also great photos of stalwart pubs like Diggers and the Jinglin Geordie.

Men from the night shift at the Ferranti factory enjoy an early morning pint of beer at The Cavern pub in Leith, November 1981, following the introduction of early morning opening.

1. Early morning pint

Men from the night shift at the Ferranti factory enjoy an early morning pint of beer at The Cavern pub in Leith, November 1981, following the introduction of early morning opening. Photo: Albert Jordan

You can't beat a bit of live music at the pub. Pictured are folk musicians at Quarters Pub at Bernard Street in Leith in 2001. Pictured left to right are Craig Mckinney (mandolin), Shug Kelly (double bass) and Dennis Arnold (banjo), Colin Whitelaw (Octave mandolin) and John Dignan (guitar).

2. Time for a song

You can't beat a bit of live music at the pub. Pictured are folk musicians at Quarters Pub at Bernard Street in Leith in 2001. Pictured left to right are Craig Mckinney (mandolin), Shug Kelly (double bass) and Dennis Arnold (banjo), Colin Whitelaw (Octave mandolin) and John Dignan (guitar). Photo: Paul Chappells

Gladstone's pub in Leith, pictured in 2009, opened from 6am every morning to serve night shift workers. Pictured is William Minto with teetotal owner John Swanson.

3. Gladstone's

Gladstone's pub in Leith, pictured in 2009, opened from 6am every morning to serve night shift workers. Pictured is William Minto with teetotal owner John Swanson. Photo: Dan Phillips

Customers drinking in The Diggers (now the Athletic Arms) pub at Angle Park Crescent Edinburgh, winner of the Evening News Pub of the Year award in January 1993. This old pub is a favourite for Hearts fans on match days for a quick pint before and after the games at nearby Tynecastle Park.

4. Traditional pub

Customers drinking in The Diggers (now the Athletic Arms) pub at Angle Park Crescent Edinburgh, winner of the Evening News Pub of the Year award in January 1993. This old pub is a favourite for Hearts fans on match days for a quick pint before and after the games at nearby Tynecastle Park. Photo: Alan Ledgerwood