About Whilst You’re Here

It began as a shared notebook

Whilst You’re Here started as one couple’s way of remembering good Edinburgh pubs: where they went, what they drank and what made a place worth returning to. It grew into a guide for anyone who wants more than a list of nearby bars.

The guide helps you notice the room, the building and the history around it, rather than simply locating the nearest pint.

How the guide is researched

Venue histories are built from attributable sources such as official records, historic listings, contemporary directories, archives, specialist heritage bodies and the venues themselves. Operator claims are identified as such, conflicting accounts stay visible, and uncertainty is not polished into fact.

Opening hours, access notes and current offers can change. They are checked against current sources, dated where possible and presented as useful guidance rather than a guarantee.

Independent by design

Venues do not pay for rankings or a place in a route. Whilst You’re Here is not affiliated with, sponsored by or officially endorsed by the pubs and bars featured. Venue names and trade marks remain the property of their owners.

Routes are invitations, not challenges

A route is a way to read part of the city. Skip stops, order food, drink water, choose alcohol-free options and head home when the evening has run its course.