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The pub’s story
Element is a modern Scottish food-and-drink bar at 110-114 Rose Street, within a much older Category B New Town tenement. Historic Environment Scotland dates the building to by 1780 and records later ground-floor alteration, while stressing that its 1995 survey did not inspect the interior; that history belongs to the fabric, not automatically to today’s venue. CAMRA’s record preserves the previous name Brecks but does not establish Element’s opening date. A 2015 trade report documents Signature’s redesign: new lighting, mosaic tiles, brass detailing, fixed seating, an enlarged dining focus and a mural by Lynsey Jean Henderson. The current offering is therefore best read as a contemporary bar and restaurant inside an eighteenth-century shell, with live music and a bookable back room. Go for food and a comfortable central stop, not a claim of an untouched historic pub interior.
What to notice
- 01
The eighteenth-century date belongs to the listed tenement; the published listing did not inspect the interior and does not date the present bar.
- 02
The Corrie at the rear is a separate, calmer bookable area. Add its name to a booking request if that is the atmosphere you want.
- 03
Children are welcome with a responsible adult until 22:00 and dogs are welcome in the bar area; food-table bookings are recommended.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
Historic Environment Scotland dates the 110-114 Rose Street tenement to construction by 1780, with later alterations.
110-114 Rose Street was added to the statutory list at Category B.
CAMRA’s record identifies a survey of the premises and records the previous name Brecks; it does not establish the opening date of Element.
A trade report documented Signature’s refurbishment of Element, including new lighting, mosaic tiles, brass details, fixed seating and a dining-oriented rear area.
CAMRA published an exterior record for Element at 110-114 Rose Street.
The operator and city destination listing describe Element as a current modern Scottish bar and restaurant with a bookable back-room space and live-music offer.
Sources & confidence
Element’s official site establishes its current Rose Street identity, food, drinks and live-music programme. The profile keeps the venue’s contemporary character distinct from the older listed fabric around it, rather than claiming a heritage pub interior.
Research reviewed
- 110–114 Rose Street and 72 Rose Street South Lane (LB29647)Historic Environment Scotlandheritage
SupportsBy-1780 building date, later alterations, Category B listing date and the statement that the interior was not inspected in 1995.
- ElementElement Edinburghofficial
SupportsCurrent operator identity as a Rose Street food-and-drink venue, food focus and booking links.
- Opening HoursElement Edinburghofficial
SupportsCurrent weekly opening and kitchen hours plus walk-in, booking, dog and under-18 policies.
- Element, EdinburghCampaign for Real Alespecialist
SupportsPrevious name Brecks, 2012 survey, May 2022 image record and caveat that its older details may be out of date.
- Signature invests in new look for Edinburgh’s ElementBar Magazineeditorial
Supports2015 refurbishment details, designer, rear dining area, mural and contemporary food-and-drink direction.
- ElementForever Edinburgheditorial
SupportsCurrent city visitor listing, location, modern Scottish-bar description and visitor facilities.
- List of licensed premisesCity of Edinburgh Councilgovernment
SupportsCouncil licensed-premises cross-check for Element.
