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The pub’s story
St Bernard’s Bar occupies number 10 in a bow-fronted Raeburn Place block built in 1820. Historic Environment Scotland records shops and a public house at ground level, but does not date the present pub business to 1820. The current bar is small and closely arranged. CAMRA describes wood panelling, a traditional gantry, an outward-sloping counter and a dense collection of antiques. Seating is allocated because there is little standing room, and service is generally at the table. An upstairs bar adds space at busy times, although cask ale is bought downstairs and carried up. Four changing real ales are currently listed. The weathered olive frontage and red entrance are as distinctive as the interior. This is not a pub for a large group arriving without thought; its scale and house customs are part of the experience.
What to notice
- 01
Monday is currently closed, and the bar opens later on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
- 02
Seats may be allocated because standing space is very limited and table service is customary.
- 03
CAMRA currently says children are not admitted; the upstairs bar adds space, but cask ale must be collected downstairs.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
The bow-fronted ashlar block containing number 10 was built on Raeburn Place.
Historic Environment Scotland listed the block at Category B.
The official description recorded shops and a public house at ground-floor level.
CAMRA published exterior photographs recording the weathered green frontage.
CAMRA surveyed the small antique-filled bar, table service, counter and upstairs room.
CAMRA added dated photographs of the current bar interior.
CAMRA updated the current opening schedule and visitor information.
Sources & confidence
Historic Environment Scotland establishes the 1820 building, Category B status and ground-floor public-house use without proving that the present business opened in 1820. CAMRA’s national and local records provide the current phone, hours, four changing ales, visitor rules and a detailed account of the interior. Dated CAMRA images cover the exterior and bar. Council licensing data confirms the present premises and operator record. No reliable opening year for St Bernard’s Bar itself was found.
Research reviewed
- 2-14 Raeburn Place and 2-6 St Bernard’s RowHistoric Environment Scotlandheritage
Supports1820 building date, Category B status, bow corner and ground-floor public-house use.
- St Bernard’s Bar, EdinburghCampaign for Real Alespecialist
SupportsCurrent phone, hours, interior, cask offer, child policy and dated photographs.
- St Bernard’s BarEdinburgh and South East Scotland CAMRAspecialist
SupportsLocal branch current opening schedule and detailed visitor description.
- Licensed premises dataCity of Edinburgh Councilgovernment
SupportsCurrent licensed premises identity, address and operator record.
- St Bernard’s Bar map featureOpenStreetMapappearance
SupportsMapped position and coordinates on Raeburn Place.
- New Town conservation area appraisalCity of Edinburgh Councilgovernment
SupportsPlanning context for the Raeburn estate and Stockbridge’s early nineteenth-century expansion.
