The Ensign Ewart in Edinburgh, City of

Lovely little pub, close to the castle. Really enjoyed it here

I tried the very famous traditional Scottish dish, Haggis, in this place, I must say that I particularly liked it. The place is really beautiful, I recommend trying it.

Nice old pub just tucked away from the castle. Can't believe it dates back to 1680. Good atmosphere inside and a nice pint of Murphy's

Didn't eat, but otherwise a magnificent bar. Warm, welcoming and a great drink selection. Will certainly be back.

It is not possible to exaggerate just how great this pub is. The whisky selection is excellent and they have a good cask beer selection. The people are great. Andy and Doug made our visit special. The regulars are very welcoming as well. My favorite pub in the world. Literally. Go here if your in Edinburgh and you have an interest in a traditional Scottish pub.

Nice place with live music - no bookings, just walks in

Could you please teach me the musicians? A guy playing the guitar and the women playing the fiddle. They made my night in Edinburgh truly wonderful. The music, Scotch, along with the amazing atmosphere of this bar, has become an unforgettable memory in my life. I am truly grateful. Thank you so much. from Japan.

Was here the weekend from 28th Feb 2025 There was a folk band playing and absolutely incredible, no microphones no speakers just pure voice and instruments! Good fun amazing atmosphere! Would two ment as they play here every weekend at 9pm Fri sat Sunday!

Great beer, but I had to leave after hearing puff didi, then Beyonce on the music system. Not my idea of fun

A beautiful pub in the centre of Edinburgh. Cosy and typical in style: lots of wood and not much light. The menu offers various local dishes, including vegetarian versions. Many beers on tap in the selection and plenty of whiskies.

Liked it a lot! The best thing was seeing groups of friends laughing and talking without ever using their cell phones! Advised!

Wonderful pub, cozy atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, great local live music

We loved this place. Great selection of beers and whiskeys. Very friendly staff and every day they have live folk music at 9pm which made our stay unforgettable. Highly recommended.

Old man's rubber dub dub - Pub to you and me lol

Definitely, this is where the Lonely Piper from the Royal Mile drinks his pint of IPA. The pub is always a recommendation for my tour groups.

Small, ancient pub. Great atmosphere with not many tourists despite the location. Wide selection of whiskies.

The Ensign Ewart was our 6th stop in a tour of over 17 pubs around Edinburgh. Here we sampled the Edinburgh Castle Stout and a 1/2 of Three Hop Beer. Good atmosphere and fitted well with our goal of finding the best of the edinburgh pubs for our tour.

spectacular guinness pour and we were the very first customers to try their new mini mac and cheese pie… if you’re looking for a nibble and a pint on your walk around edinburgh, definitely come here! awesome space.

It's a bit grim in here nowadays. And expensive.

Very nice atmosphere, had the best time there. Very cosy. Highly recommend

Just the best scottish pub, with a very nice wisky selection and an amazing cozy ambiance, with live music. In a very touristic area but still authentic. Food is also quite nice for an easy and quick lunch

Very friendly with a nice atmosphere and a good range of dinks served. Enjoyed s few drinks there and would definitely return.

Scottish atmosphere with great live music. A cider worth recommending.

Hospitalize them Good food Ready to find solutions

If you are looking for a whisky tasting experience in a traditional Scottish pub, this the right place! Really enjoyed with it!

Bar typique d’Edimbourg très agréable pour y prendre un verre en fin de journée ! Les prix y sont très raisonnables. Je recommande !! Malheureusement la cuisine était exceptionnellement fermée, nous n’avons donc pas pu goûter la nourriture. Beaucoup de guides nous l’ont recommandé durant nos visites.

Fabulous, atmospheric wee pub. Pot of tea was served with a complimentary lovely square of Scottish table. So good abd a very nice touch especially for tourists who may have never tried it before. A great pub full of history and great music in the evenings.

Live music (acoustic instrumental) every day at 9. Central although not a very big place, it was impossible for us to find a table.

Been here for 3 nights straight! Amazing live folk music and really cool historical vibe in general. The staff are all very kind and welcoming, definitely recommend going if you’re in Edinburgh. Lots of whiskeys beers spirits all very reasonably priced!!

Quedarme en la Royal Mile y ver un cartel de música por la noche, así que me pasé por un par de horas. Personal muy bueno y servicial. Guy en acordeón tocaba una encantadora mezcla de música tradicional y moderna. Todo lo que se podría esperar en una parte antigua de la hermosa ciudad. Buen ambiente, agradable en el pub y sensación general de comodidad en una fría noche de enero. Definitivamente volveré.

Vino a almorzar tarde y pidió sándwiches y sopa. La sopa era deliciosa y muy reconfortante, pero los sándwiches eran bastante horribles. Como marido no podía comer la foccacia de romero que se ofrece en el menú debido a una alergia al romero nos ofrecieron pan de masa madre en su lugar. Ninguno de los sándwiches tenía mantequilla y desafortunadamente el chef decidió tostar el pan de masa madre, lo que hizo que fuera muy difícil de morder y comer.

Class pub from 16th Century near to Castle, but often not overwhelming despite small number of seats available. Like the atmosphere. Mix of clientele, reasonable ale selection not all McFizzy

Small typical pub. The staff are helpful and welcoming. Vast choice of whiskeys. Price more than fair. To do!

My favourite pub when visiting Edinburgh. Despite being right by the most touristy of tourist spots, the selection of ales is consistently fantastic and the live folk music some evenings is unbeatable. The low ceilings and old-school lighting really accentuate the already self-evident fact that this place has a lot of history to it. Highly recommend!

Food was good, very good selection of beers and whiskey and staff is very attentive and patient With questions. Service and place atmosphere is excellent indeed

Great bar ideal for refreshments after visiting the castle.

Great pub located on the Royal Mile, good atmosphere and lively trad session

very cozy, there's always live music from 9pm

Absolutely adore this pub, I always come here when in Edinburgh. The selection of drinks is very curated, and my personal recommendation is to try their buttered rum! Lovely live music as well and warm and cozy atmosphere

The service, live music and atmosphere is excellent.

Encontramos esta joya de un pub en la última noche de nuestra escapada urbana, y siento que guardamos lo mejor para el final. Es un pub encantador y tradicional lleno de ambiente y carácter. La música folklórica en vivo también fue un verdadero placer. Recomiendo encarecidamente un viaje aquí si estás en la ciudad.

Great atmosphere, good beers and lovely folks.

Popped in while I was waiting for a restaurant reservation to try a whiskey and a pint. I really like the interior, staff were super helpful with my choices, and tables were cleared quickly.

Lovely old pub good selection of beers always a visit when in the greatest city

Nice little bar on the Royal Mile.

Give the Guinness a miss and try the Edinburgh stout on draft.. drinkable isn't the word. Great pub given it's on the tourist honey trap mile

I have been there in September 2024. I have had a lot of fun. The Whiskey was delicious. And such a good music.... my favourite pub!

Like another one reading the many amazing reviews here: BEWARE: Disrespectful employees Terrible service They don’t care about you. They believe they already have their brand and their reputation, so I’m here to ask you to challenge that. Don’t waste your time. There are hundreds of places with people that will care about you. AVOID THIS. And enjoy Edinburgh.

Class bar! Worth visit, especially buttered hot rum!

Good, old fashioned pub. Nice pint, but on the expensive side

Pub with a very nice atmosphere, not very big but we got a table straight away. Nice selection of local alcohol, we drank a very good gin. Pleasant and helpful staff. And rather reasonable price for a pub located in the tourist district in the heart of Edinburgh. It was a great find, if you leave the castle at the end of the day, I advise you to stop there for a drink.

Lovely stuff! Cozy atmosphere 😊

Nice, cozy pub in the heart of the old town. You can definitely stay there for a few beers. 👍😂

Este pub era nuestro favorito en Edimburgo ambiente acogedor, camareros amables, 2 músicos tocando, whisky fluyendo.

Historical pub, also known for Oscar de Muriel's crime novels.

Tienes que parar aquí. Es un antiguo bar establecido en 1680 y qué lugar con tanta historia. Desde el cristal en las ventanas, a la decoración rústica. No es un bar muy grande. Almorzamos, sopa del día que era una sopa de cebada. Muy sabroso y lleno. No toman su orden en la mesa, una vez que esté listo orden en el bar. Vale la pena visitar

Going through some photos and realized I forgot to leave a review for The Ensign Ewart ~ staff were absolute legends! Great music! Excellent pints 🍺 & a warm and inviting atmosphere. Will definitely recommend to all family and friends when they are in Edinburgh. Made an old Canadian 🇨🇦 feel welcome ~ cheers!🍻

Popped in for a couple drinks before a meal, cozy little pub.

Nice pub, unassuming from the outside. The live music contributes to the unique atmosphere, the beer and especially the whiskey selection is very good.

Fantastic traditional Scottish pub.

We stopped in for a quick bite and drink. Great location near Edinburgh Castle.

A nice place to listen to Scottish folk music. It starts at 9 o'clock every night. It is useful to be at the venue 20 minutes in advance..

Live music every evening from 9 p.m.

Finest pub in Scotland, or maybe anywhere. Has it all- cozy authentic interior, an interesting history, beautiful location, wide selection of brews and whiskies, and a diverse array of tavern goers, including local Scots. Excellent live folk music and great craic with people from around the world. Go early, stand at the barrels near the bar- you won’t regret it!

I come here in between and after my shots busking. Great fresh food, high quality pints and extensive whisky selection. Music after 9pm Is always phenomenal, they play authentic traditional Scottish music with high standard of musicians, this coming from someone that also plays a traditional scottish instrument.

My absolute favorite pub in Edinburgh. Almost every time I visit (several trips) I meet someone interesting, I try to stop in each night I'm in that part of town. I've met locals who took me out to other places in town (and had their own flask to share), and a medical student who was sent to university by his village in Congo so he could go back and be the local doctor, and a Canadian who was sailing all the way around Great Britain. TALK TO PEOPLE in this place. It's a gathering spot for all kinds of people. Not to mention the drinks are great and the food is decent. You might not find such interesting people as I have, but they do go there. (To be truthful it's not always amazing, sometimes just regular fun. But the best experiences will make it unforgettable and you never know if you don't get out there).

Been there a couple of times, fine so far. This time we took our son along to try their very good sticky toffee pudding. A waiter turned us down at the door; "No kids allowed". Must be a house policy, since no laws in scotland prohibit that. After further questions including the offer to eat as well the waiter said that the kitchen was closed (even though we've eaten here lots of times at this time of the day and food was still coming out). Sad. Liked it until this event. Very, very family unfriendly. Won't come back.

Just came for drinks and the music. Great whisky selection and the gentleman that served us had alot of knowledge.

Great little pub with loads of atmosphere and friendly service. On the royal mile near the castle, will definitely be back. We had food, which was soup and a sandwich - this was ok. But I feel it's more of a drinks characterful pub.

We were here last year, this year we of course had to visit again. We will of course come again next time we are in the area. Very helpful in choosing a Scotch. And if we have more time, we'll also have a snack.

Super nice pub with a good atmosphere! I recommend

Great small pub in the middle of everything. Usually, I’m the middle of the tourist areas aren’t super authentic, but this small pub was a perfect stop during the day. Great soups, sandwiches, and bears on tap as well and tons of whiskey choices!

The Ensign Ewart: A Quaint Pub Near the Castle The Ensign Ewart is a charming little pub located just off the Royal Mile, near Edinburgh Castle. With its cozy atmosphere and convenient location, it's a great spot to grab a drink before or after a show at the castle. A Characterful Gem: Quaint Setting: The Ensign Ewart's historic building and traditional decor create a charming and inviting atmosphere. Convenient Location: Its proximity to the castle makes it a popular choice for pre- or post-show drinks. A Busy Buzz: Popular Spot: The Ensign Ewart can get quite busy, especially during peak times. However, the lively atmosphere adds to its charm. Quick Drinks: If you're looking for a quick drink before or after an event, The Ensign Ewart is a convenient and enjoyable option. Overall: The Ensign Ewart is a charming little pub with a great atmosphere and convenient location. If you're looking for a place to grab a drink near Edinburgh Castle, be sure to check it out!

Awesome traditional pub in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town! Very nice pint of Amstel lager (too bad they did not have Tennent’s) and an excellent pint of Guinness, for a total of £12.80. Super recommended if you’re looking for a traditional pub with lovey Scottish vibes inside.

Old spot with chill atmosphere just in the heart of City

Great pub on the mile, even serves ale in the dimple glasses !

Only there for a night but it was an amazing place to be for the atmosphere 💚👏☘️

Very close to entrance for the Tattoo. Very busy; very traditional pub

Great location for a quick bite and a beer before going to the Tattoo.

It is a treditional Scottish Pub since 1690. Every sunday they have traditional live music. It was like a time travel.

Easily the top whisky bar, and likely one of the top bars, in Edinburgh. Awesome location, awesome staff & awesome atmosphere. Live music and fantastic people. A must visit.

Great Pub just outside Edinburgh Castle, full of history and character, busy but staff friendly and helpful

One of the best whisky bars in Edinburgh for its price and selection.

This is a must visit in Edinburgh. Just down the hill from the castle, they have a very nice Scotch whisky selection. The bartenders were so helpful and patient assisting me in exploring Scotch options. The Scotch broth soup was exceptional. We had it two days in a row. Try the brie sandwich too.

Great pub ,on the royal mile. Staff knowledgeable and keen to recommend from their splendid range of whisky's.

I love this pub, live music, you have to go early because it fills up, at noon you can eat soup and sandwich, at night only snacks and drinks. Very cool place. Very nice atmosphere and staff.

¡La mejor sopa de guisantes partida que he probado! El personal era extremadamente servicial en ayudarme a entender qué pubs admitían niños ya que estamos de visita con nuestros hijos fuera del país! Gran lugar. Muy recomendable!

Stopped in for some live local music and some drinks and we enjoyed every moment. The drinks are typical and the music talent that night was amazing.

It's like your local pub, that isn't your local.

Don't miss a chance for an authentic pub experience here at the Ensign Ewart. Good food and great drink. Live music ever so often.

Pleasant, atmospheric pub with original woodwork. 17th century pub - it has changed names a few times but there’s been a pub here for hundreds of years. It’s a good place to sit and catch your breath- we were lucky enough to sit near some bagpipers. I chatted with them for awhile; Scots people are a quiet but pleasant people. Take the opportunity to listen more than talk

One of oldest pubs in town. Friendly staff and good drinks.

Good environment with folk music after 9pm. They stay open late. Love the music, will visit again!

Lovely little pub with a huge choice in whisky! A great place to relax after a day of exploring the city. No food was served when I was there.

Classic pub and great stop for visitors to the castle. Much nicer and better than many others on the Royal Mile. Wife has scotch broth soup that was top notched.

My favourite pub on royal mile fill of character

Authentic Pub, very friendly staff, dog friendly and real enthusiasts for scotch whisky! Very nice location!

Just had something to drink. Good atmosphere and nice, quick service.

Nice pub in Edinburgh's Old Town! Live music, good atmosphere from the audience, locals mix with tourists here. Very good beer and cider as well as espresso martini!

Un samedi soir , edimbourg..... quoi de plus naturel que d'aller dans un pub !!! Ambiance exceptionnelle, musiques , chants , accueil chaleureux.... bref , tout était au delà de mes espérances !!! Soirée inoubliable. À faire, impérativement, si vous voulez vivre l'expérience du pub écossais avec sa musique et ses chants traditionnels