Edinburgh pubs: 17 photos of people enjoying nights out at class Edinburgh pubs over the years

Looking back at nights out in Edinburgh

Published 17th Aug 2023, 04:45 BST

Updated 17th Aug 2023, 09:29 BST

We’ve taken a look back at nights out at Edinburgh pubs over the years, delving into our photo archive to find photos that capture the atmosphere of a night out at the pub in the Capital.

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. While, there are also great photos of stalwart pubs like Diggers and the Jinglin Geordie.

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).

1. 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

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.

2. 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

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