First look at historic Edinburgh pub following £1 million refurb

A historic Edinburgh pub in the Grassmarket has reopened its doors today (February 20) following a major refurbishment.

The Beehive received a major £1 million investment to reinvigorate the pub’s interior and exterior whilst taking care to preserve its unique character. After reopening the flagship Belhaven pub has renovated surroundings, new stylish furniture, enhanced lighting and updated décor to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Further improvements on the ground floor include new seating on the front terrace and the pub also has plans to install a stretch tent in the back garden, creating an adaptable space for year-round gatherings and corporate events.

The Beehive’s first floor has undergone a complete transformation unveiling a bright open-plan dining space, designed to elevate dining experiences for all occasions. A standout feature is the new dedicated whisky bar, home to over 100 whisky varieties, enhanced with tailored whisky flights and bookable tasting classes on the menu.

The building’s top floor is now a versatile multi‑purpose events space, with improvements to the existing comedy attic and additional meeting rooms perfect for hosting corporate events and special celebrations.

David Race, general manager at The Beehive, said: “The team and I are excited to be officially welcoming guests back through The Beehive’s doors. It’s even better than before and perfect for creating incredible experiences for all our customers, with highlights including our new whisky bar and top‑floor events space. It’s an exciting new chapter for the centuries-old pub and we can’t wait for people to see it!”

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