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The pub’s story
Hotel du Vin Edinburgh occupies a layered Bristo Place site. Edinburgh's Charity Workhouse opened here in 1743, but the hotel should not be read as an untouched eighteenth-century building. Later poorhouse fabric survives within a substantial restoration and extension, and the complex subsequently served as a blood transfusion centre. Planning consent for an £8 million conversion was reported in 2007, and the hotel opened in January 2009. Today the bar, Whisky Snug, courtyard and Cigar Bothy create several distinct stops within the same address. The operator explicitly names the Cigar Bothy, while Scottish smoke-free rules mean cigar use belongs in an outdoor or sufficiently open setting, so guests should confirm its current arrangement and availability when booking. The strongest reason to visit is the combination of surviving institutional fabric, a calm whisky-focused interior and a purpose-made cigar space close to the Old Town.
What to notice
- 01
Compare the weathered central stonework with the newer pale extension to read the building's restoration in the frontage.
- 02
The operator lists a Cigar Bothy alongside the Whisky Snug and courtyard; confirm its current hours and smoking arrangement when booking.
- 03
The illuminated Hotel du Vin & Bistro lettering sits above the broad former carriage entrance on Bristo Place.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
Edinburgh's Charity Workhouse was completed and opened on the Bristo Place site.
Later poorhouse fabric was built on the site; part of that historic fabric survives within the present hotel complex.
The premises served as a Blood Transfusion Centre before conversion to hotel use.
Planning permission was reported for an £8 million restoration and conversion by Hotel du Vin.
Hotel du Vin Edinburgh opened, combining restored older fabric with new accommodation behind it.
The current operator lists a bar, Whisky Snug, courtyard and Cigar Bothy at the hotel.
Sources & confidence
The Old Edinburgh Club establishes the Charity Workhouse opening in 1743. A 2009 Old Town Association account and contemporary trade reporting distinguish the surviving old fabric from the later restoration and extension, and identify the intervening Blood Transfusion Centre use. Business Traveller records the January 2009 hotel opening. The operator supplies current identity, address, bar hours and the Whisky Snug, courtyard and Cigar Bothy offer. OpenStreetMap provides an exact coordinate cross-check. The Cigar Bothy's current access arrangement is not separately published, so visitors should confirm it with the hotel.
Research reviewed
- Hotel du Vin EdinburghHotel du Vinofficial
SupportsCurrent identity, 11 Bristo Place address, telephone, hotel facilities and operator account of the building's poorhouse, asylum and laboratory uses.
- Bar in EdinburghHotel du Vinofficial
SupportsCurrent bar offer and complete weekly bar opening hours.
- Wine Tasting EdinburghHotel du Vinofficial
SupportsCurrent Whisky Snug, Cigar Bothy, courtyard and bar arrangement.
- Edinburgh Charity Workhouse, 1740-1845Old Edinburgh Clubarchive
SupportsHistorical study establishing the Charity Workhouse's completion and opening in 1743 and its institutional history.
- Old Town Association Newsletter 2009Edinburgh Old Town Associationarchive
SupportsContemporary local account identifying the former Blood Transfusion Unit site and recording that old fabric was incorporated into the hotel.
- Hotel du Vin granted planning permission for new Edinburgh hotelThe Caterereditorial
SupportsApril 2007 planning permission, purchase of the former blood transfusion centre and the planned £8 million conversion.
- Hotel check: Hotel du Vin EdinburghBusiness Travellereditorial
SupportsIndependent contemporary account of the hotel's January 2009 opening and the restored old section with new accommodation behind.
- Hotel du Vin map recordOpenStreetMapappearance
SupportsExact mapped identity, Bristo Place address and coordinates.
