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The pub’s story
The name invites an easy assumption: that this was the Caledonian Brewery's own tasting room. The planning evidence says otherwise. A heritage statement for the brewery explains that the pub frontage borrowed details from the brewery's 1899 building, but does not identify a working sample cellar here. The stronger local story is musical. EdinPhoto recollections name the former Blue Lagoon, and the Scottish Jazz Archive records the East Coast Jazz Band's long Monday residency there. Its audio catalogue also places a 1998 Edinburgh Jazz Crawl recording at the Caley Sample Room. Today's pub is a broad, split-level room of exposed brick and iron columns, serving food and Scottish cask beer alongside sport and live events. Weekend opening begins at 10:00, but CAMRA records alcohol service from 11:00.
What to notice
- 01
The facade borrows from the Caledonian Brewery's 1899 frontage, but the evidence does not identify a working brewery sample cellar here.
- 02
Inside, exposed brick, iron columns and changes of level break up one large room.
- 03
Weekend doors open at 10:00, but CAMRA says alcohol service starts at 11:00.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
The later pub facade borrowed features from the Caledonian Brewery's 1899 frontage.
The premises traded as the Blue Lagoon before taking the Caley Sample Room name.
The East Coast Jazz Band held a long-running Monday residency at the Blue Lagoon.
The Scottish Jazz Archive records music associated with the Caley Sample Room during the Edinburgh Jazz Crawl.
A contemporary visitor guide says the business changed hands in 2007.
Scottish Licensed Trade News reported the sale of the pub.
CAMRA updated its current venue record and opening schedule.
Sources & confidence
The planning heritage statement explains the building story: the facade quotes the Caledonian Brewery's 1899 frontage, but it does not identify an actual brewery sample room. The Scottish Jazz Archive documents the Blue Lagoon name, the East Coast Jazz Band residency and a 1998 Jazz Crawl recording at the later Caley Sample Room. EdinPhoto adds attributed local recollection. A dated visitor guide attributes a 2007 takeover, while trade reporting and the Gazette record later business episodes without proving continuous ownership. CAMRA and the venue website supply current visitor information.
Research reviewed
- The Caley Sample RoomThe Caley Sample Roomofficial
SupportsCurrent name, food, drinks, events, sport, family and dog policies and contact details.
- Caley Sample Room, EdinburghCampaign for Real Alespecialist
SupportsCurrent specialist record, room description, cask offer, address, telephone, hours and alcohol service note.
- Former Caledonian Brewery Heritage StatementPlanning documentationheritage
SupportsStates that the pub facade quotes features from the brewery's 1899 frontage, while not identifying the pub as the brewery's actual sample cellar.
- Edinburgh recollections: MerchistonEdinPhotoarchive
SupportsAttributed recollection that the premises were previously the Blue Lagoon before becoming the Caley Sample Room.
- Traditional jazz in Edinburgh since 1945Scottish Jazz Archivearchive
SupportsDocuments a long-running East Coast Jazz Band residency at the Blue Lagoon, later renamed the Caley Sample Room.
- Sample Room snapped upScottish Licensed Trade Newseditorial
SupportsReports the 2016 sale of the trading pub.
- Caley Sample Room business noticeThe Edinburgh Gazettegovernment
SupportsRecords the 2022 appointment of interim liquidators to an operator trading as The Caley Sample Room; this concerns that company, not necessarily closure of the premises.
- Scottish Jazz Archive Audio InventoryScottish Jazz Archivearchive
SupportsCatalogue entry for a 1998 Edinburgh Jazz Crawl recording at the Caley Sample Room.
- Caley Sample Room, ScotlandScotland.org.ukeditorial
SupportsA page dated 4 May 2013 that attributes a 2007 takeover and gives the premises address; it is not used for current hours.
