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The pub’s story
Biddy Mulligans is a current Irish bar at 94-96 Grassmarket, but the history around it is older and mixed. The Grassmarket was developing by 1363, gained a market charter in 1477 and was enclosed by the strengthened Flodden Wall after 1513. At the eastern end of Biddy’s address range, 94 Grassmarket is John Lessels’s 1890 Mission Hall, incorporating earlier fabric, and has been Category B listed since 1974. Those points describe the street and one part of the present address. Not a claim that Biddy’s itself is medieval or Victorian. The modern venue centres on daily live music, sport and the small Wee Pub next door. Go for Irish-bar energy and a late schedule; use the mission-hall detail as a reminder of the Grassmarket’s changing uses.
What to notice
- 01
The medieval dates belong to the Grassmarket itself, not to Biddy Mulligans’ opening.
- 02
At No. 94, look for the 1890 Mission Hall’s Gothic detailing; it is a listed component within the present 94-96 address range.
- 03
The Wee Pub next door is very small, so treat it as an optional snug rather than a guaranteed extra room.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
A historical reference to ‘Newbygging under the castle’ indicates development of the Grassmarket by this year; it is area history, not a date for this pub.
A royal charter assigned the Grassmarket a regular market, establishing the commercial context that later supported bars and hostels.
After Flodden, the city walls were strengthened and enclosed the Grassmarket and Cowgate.
John Lessels built the Mission Hall at 94 Grassmarket, incorporating earlier fabric; 94 sits within Biddy Mulligans’ current 94-96 address range.
94 Grassmarket was added to the statutory list at Category B.
CAMRA’s published exterior record confirms Biddy Mulligans’ current-name presence in the Grassmarket by this date.
Biddy Mulligans trades with daily live music, sport and a daily 08:00-01:00 bar schedule.
Sources & confidence
Heritage and archaeological sources support the Grassmarket’s medieval market context and the dated 94 Grassmarket Mission Hall. Those sources are clearly separated from the modern Biddy Mulligans operation, which is supported by the venue, CAMRA and the city visitor listing. The Wee Pub’s ‘smallest pub’ wording is not presented as a formal designation.
Research reviewed
- 94 Grassmarket (LB47878)Historic Environment Scotlandheritage
Supports1890 John Lessels Mission Hall, earlier fabric, Category B designation dated 12 December 1974, and the Grassmarket’s market/wall context.
- Early historic settlement beneath the Grassmarket in EdinburghProceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotlandspecialist
Supports1363 development reference, 1477 market charter and 1543 paving context for the Grassmarket.
- Biddy MulligansBiddy Mulligansofficial
SupportsCurrent Irish-bar identity, daily music/sport offer and Grassmarket location.
- ContactBiddy Mulligansofficial
SupportsCurrent 94-96 Grassmarket address, daily 08:00-01:00 bar hours, kitchen close and outdoor-area hours.
- Biddy MulligansCampaign for Real Alespecialist
SupportsCurrent pub record, 94 Grassmarket address and a published exterior record dated 2013.
- Biddy MulligansForever Edinburgheditorial
SupportsCurrent Grassmarket setting, daily music and the visitor description of neighbouring The Wee Pub.
