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New Town / Rose Street

Taco Libre Bar

A food-led Mexican bar for cocktails and Mexican beer. The modern, colourful middle of the complete Rose Street run.

Hours & directions
Taco Libre’s source-led Rose Street frontage, with its dark teal facade, mint-green pilaster, crisp yellow-and-red “TACO LIBRE” lettering and red neon “FOOD” and “SPIRITS”.
Your story starts here
Venue medal

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Why it is in the guide

The pub’s story

Taco Libre Bar at 85-87 Rose Street is a recent Mexican food-and-drink stop, not a traditional pub with a deep historic claim. CAMRA’s first image record was published on 18 March 2024, and its description identifies a retro-decorated bar with a strong sound system, operated by Mezcal Edinburgh Ltd on a site previously occupied by Greggs; it also lists Viva Bar as a previous name. Those points describe the modern changing use of this commercial unit, not a continuous bar lineage. The Food Standards Agency’s current business record provides a later official check on the Taco Libre operation. The appeal is straightforward: tacos, Mexican food, cocktails and a lively Rose Street pause that breaks up a beer-and-whisky run. Exact weekdays are less certain because CAMRA’s older listing and a newer map directory conflict; the record transparently prefers the more recent directory but advises rechecking.

During your visit

What to notice

  1. 01

    This is a recent Mexican food-and-drink stop, not a heritage pub; CAMRA records Viva Bar and a former Greggs as earlier uses of the site.

  2. 02

    CAMRA’s older hours start later on weekdays, while the newer map listing says noon daily. Recheck the linked Instagram or phone before travelling.

  3. 03

    CAMRA notes a strong sound system and pavement tables, so it suits a lively food break more than a quiet drink.

Chronology

The time rail

The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.

Pub usesupported
before 2024

CAMRA records Viva Bar as a previous name and says the Taco Libre site had previously been a Greggs unit.

Pub usesupported
18 March 2024

CAMRA published its first exterior record of Taco Libre Bar at 85-87 Rose Street.

Pub usesupported
2 May 2024

CAMRA last updated its Taco Libre record, describing retro decor, a strong sound system and Mezcal Edinburgh Ltd operation.

Pub usesupported
April 2026

The Food Standards Agency records a food-hygiene inspection for Taco Libre Bar at 85-87 Rose Street.

Pub usesupported
2026

Apple Maps lists Taco Libre at 85 Rose Street with a current daily noon-to-01:00 schedule and Instagram as its website.

Sources & confidence

CAMRA and the Food Standards Agency independently corroborate Taco Libre Bar’s current identity and Rose Street location; the former supports its 2024 opening. The profile treats it as a recent, food-led bar and avoids any false historical continuity.

Research reviewed

  • Taco Libre Bar, EdinburghCampaign for Real Alespecialist

    Supports85-87 Rose Street address, March 2024 image, May 2024 update, previous name Viva Bar, former Greggs use, Mezcal Edinburgh Ltd operation, retro decor, sound system and an older opening-hours listing with its maintenance warning.

  • Taco Libre Bar food-hygiene ratingFood Standards Agencygovernment

    SupportsCurrent Taco Libre Bar business record at 85-87 Rose Street and its April 2026 inspection context.

  • Taco LibreApple Mapsappearance

    SupportsCurrent map-directory address, phone, linked Instagram site and daily noon-to-01:00 hours; used with an explicit conflict note.

  • Edinburgh and South-East Scotland Pub GuideCampaign for Real Alespecialist

    SupportsCurrent local CAMRA directory context for Edinburgh licensed venues.

  • List of licensed premisesCity of Edinburgh Councilgovernment

    SupportsCouncil licensed-premises cross-check for the Rose Street site.

  • Taco Libre Bar online ratingFood Standards Agencygovernment

    SupportsFood Standards Agency online-rating display for the current Taco Libre Bar address.