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The pub’s story
Rose Street Brewery is now a Nicholson’s pub at 55-57 Rose Street, and its name needs careful reading. It sits within James Craig’s New Town, whose design was selected in 1766; that is neighbourhood history, not a venue opening date. A later Rose Street business did brew Auld Reekie Ale upstairs from 1983 to 1994, according to a 2024 reopening report. The building was refurbished in late 2024, when that former brewhouse became kitchen space. CAMRA’s current record is explicit: the pub no longer has a microbrewery. Today it is a split-level food-and-drink venue with dark panelling and a large whisky, beer and dining offer. Come for the Rose Street location and its brewing memory, but do not expect brewing on site; the old name survives as history rather than a description of present production.
What to notice
- 01
Despite the name, CAMRA says the former microbrewery is gone. Do not visit expecting beer to be brewed on site.
- 02
The venue is split across levels; check current access information if steps may be an issue.
- 03
This is a food-and-drink pub with later closing on Friday and Saturday; kitchen service and exceptional hours should be checked directly.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
James Craig’s plan won the New Town design competition, providing the planned-street context for Rose Street; this is not a pub-opening date.
A 2024 reopening report says Auld Reekie Ale began brewing in the upstairs brewhouse; this is reported venue history rather than a current operation.
The same reopening report says the Auld Reekie brewing period ended in 1994.
The pub reopened after refurbishment; the former upstairs brewhouse was converted to kitchen use.
CAMRA’s survey recorded the refurbished pub as no longer home to a microbrewery.
CAMRA’s record was updated with its current description of the split-level venue and former brewery.
Sources & confidence
Historic Environment Scotland supplies the listed-building context; Nicholson’s confirms the current pub and preserves the brewery story; CAMRA supplies the crucial current correction that no microbrewery remains after the late-2024 refurbishment. The record uses past tense for brewing and does not market the venue as an active taproom.
Research reviewed
- Rose Street BreweryNicholson’s Pubsofficial
SupportsCurrent Nicholson’s venue identity, 55-57 Rose Street address, food/drink offer and operator opening hours.
- Our VenuesNicholson’s Pubsofficial
SupportsCurrent operator portfolio and Rose Street Brewery’s continuing Nicholson’s listing.
- Rose St Brewery, EdinburghCampaign for Real Alespecialist
SupportsCurrent split-level/interior description, late-2024 refurbishment, 2025 survey and explicit statement that the venue no longer has a microbrewery.
- Rose Street Brewery is back open and better than everNorth Edinburgh Newseditorial
Supports2024 reopening report, three-week refurbishment, former brewhouse conversion to kitchen, and the reported 1983-94 Auld Reekie brewing period.
- Rose Street BreweryBrewery History Societyspecialist
SupportsSpecialist brewery-history context for the venue name and its former brewing association.
- Edinburgh and South-East Scotland Pub GuideCampaign for Real Alespecialist
SupportsCurrent local CAMRA guide listing for the Rose Street venue.
