'%20d='M32%203C16.4%203%206%2015.3%206%2031.2c0%2010.9%206.6%2020.1%2014.3%2026.2L32%2077l11.7-19.6C51.4%2051.3%2058%2042.1%2058%2031.2%2058%2015.3%2047.6%203%2032%203Zm0%2014c-8.8%200-14.5%207-14.5%2016.4V55h29V33.4C46.5%2024%2040.8%2017%2032%2017Z'/%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23C99B4A'%20d='m27.5%2055%204.5-24%204.5%2024h-9Z'/%3e%3c/svg%3e)
The pub’s story
Paradise Palms is a 2014-founded independent bar, diner and culture space at 41 Lothian Street. Not a historical pub, though it occupies a Category B circa-1820 commercial tenement. HES’s listing relates to the building and the southside’s early nineteenth-century street plan; it does not date the bar. The venue opened as a cabaret bar and diner in 2014 and now combines a bar, vegan Mexican kitchen, events and Paradise Palms Records. CAMRA lists earlier names at the address. Bristo Bar & Kitchen, Assembly and Iguana. Which is useful address history but not a claim of continuous operation. The current operator gives the best practical advice: it saves some walk-in capacity normally but runs walk-in only during the Fringe. Go for late drinks and food with a creative, independent feel; use the building’s arcaded ground floor as the historical layer.
What to notice
- 01
The circa-1820 listed building is older than Paradise Palms; do not turn the building date into a pub-age claim.
- 02
The bar keeps walk-in space ordinarily but becomes walk-in only during the Fringe. CAMRA’s older times conflict with the operator’s current timetable, which is used here.
- 03
Official hours are 16:00-01:00 Monday. Thursday and 12:00-01:00 Friday. Sunday; the vegan Mexican kitchen is open until 22:00 daily.
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 records Lothian Street being constructed around this time to improve access between Bristo Street and Potterrow.
The Trades Maiden Hospital relocated to Lauriston; its former site and remaining garden ground were then developed to continue the Lothian Street streetscape.
The present 41-47 Lothian Street corner tenement was built with arcaded commercial ground floors.
41-47 Lothian Street was added to the statutory list at Category B.
Trade publication DRAM reported the opening of Paradise Palms as a cabaret bar and diner at 41 Lothian Street.
The Skinny reported Paradise Palms’ record-label and record-shop activity, documenting its role beyond food and drink.
Paradise Palms continues at 41 Lothian Street as a vegan Mexican bar and diner with events, a record label and official late hours.
Sources & confidence
The official venue site supports current address, bar/diner/label/stage character, food offer, walk-in policy and full weekly hours. This is a contemporary venue profile; no unverified building history is asserted.
Research reviewed
- 41–47 (Odd Nos) Lothian Street (LB30136)Historic Environment Scotlandheritage
SupportsCategory B listing, circa-1820 classical commercial tenement, arcaded ground floor, Lothian Street’s c.1800 construction, 1818 hospital relocation and historic streetscape context.
- Edinburgh, 41–47 Lothian StreetHistoric Environment Scotland / Trovearchive
SupportsHistoric-environment catalogue record for the 19th-century tenement and an archive item for Iguana at 41 Lothian Street, showing an earlier venue at the address.
- Edinburgh paradiseDRAM Scotlandeditorial
Supports2014 report on Paradise Palms opening as a cabaret bar and diner, including its original operator context.
- Paradise PalmsParadise Palmsofficial
SupportsCurrent 41 Lothian Street identity, bar/diner/label/stage profile, vegan Mexican food, walk-in Fringe policy and official opening hours.
- Paradise Palms, EdinburghCampaign for Real Alespecialist
SupportsCurrent address and the previous names Bristo Bar & Kitchen, Assembly and Iguana; CAMRA’s older hours are not used because they conflict with the current operator schedule.
- Paradise PalmsForever Edinburgheditorial
SupportsCurrent visitor listing, independent 2014 establishment note, vegan Mexican description and broad community/events positioning.
- Introducing Paradise Palms RecordsThe Skinnyeditorial
Supports2017 documentation of the venue’s record label and record-shop activity.
- Licensed Premises RegisterCity of Edinburgh Councilgovernment
SupportsCurrent licensed-premises entry for Paradise Palms, Greene King Retailing Ltd, 41 Lothian Street, EH1 1HB.
