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Location: 80 W Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2HH
Year of Inscription: 2024
Venue Type: Beer & Whisky Specialists / Traditional
Map
Description
Gallery
| EBG Rating: | 8.4/10 |
| Choice/ Quality of Drinks | ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Arguably the best range of beers in Edinburgh old town, with a handsome range of whiskies too – these are the focus. |
| Style/ Décor | ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Despite appearances, The Bow Bar has only existed in its current guise since the 1990s. A curator, Ian White used his collection of pub hoardings and fittings to create what on first glance appears to be a traditional little tavern. A one room affair with ‘wet’ ceiling, lamplight and classic bar fixtures including those narrow tables fit into the floor. |
| Atmosphere/ Character | ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Busy, buzzy, you’ll find everyone here from weekend visitors to real ale aficionados which gives the place a natural energy. Not somewhere for a quiet pint on weekends, but the energy is friendly and doesn’t turn overly ‘towny’. |
| Amenities/ Events | ❤️❤️ Snacks, err…not much else! |
| Value For Money | ❤️❤️ On the high side, particularly the bottle selection. |
| Description | Wandering past, Bow Bar looks for all the world like a heritage pub. If these walls could talk, eh? Well, if they could, they’d tell you it’s only been around since the 1990s. Yes, rather like Holy Tavern in London, the interior is a recreation – a rather effective one – of a Victorian tavern. Opulent features with etched glass mirrors, stylish lamps and a classic ‘wet’ ceiling. In all honesty, it’s probably best to visit the pub without this knowledge! Bow Bar excels in beers and whiskies with a superior cask, keg and bottle range and a shelf full of whisky options. Some of these come at an eye-watering cost, but you can still find some affordable options in amongst them. Based in the old town, the pub gets busy on weekdays with tourists and real ale fans, but reportedly it can be an oasis of calm on weekday afternoons. Certainly among Edinburgh’s finest drinking holes. |




