Thomson's Bar in Edinburgh, City of

We visited this bar on a Saturday night as a group of nine, sitting across two tables. Our group included people of different nationalities – Scottish, Irish, German, and Nigerian. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was really unwelcoming and hostile. As we were settling in, the barman made a comment suggesting he wanted us to leave and announced last orders early, seemingly as a way to force us out. We noticed him talking with others in the bar about doing this beforehand. The majority of our group ordered drinks, while two drivers didn't. We noticed some customers at the bar making racial comments directed at members of our group, which created a really uncomfortable and discriminatory environment. The barman again approached us quite aggressively and accused us of not supporting the business because not everyone had a drink. He demanded we leave, despite the fact that we were quietly drinking and chatting, with loads of empty tables around. It was obvious the behaviour was racially motivated. This experience was really shocking. We finished our drinks quickly and left. I would strongly advise avoiding this pub.

Jarl on draught :-) And still as good as it ever was. Excellent service, quality beer.

All good, staff was very friendly

Amazing steak pie and friendly service. Thank you.

Buzzing after match at Murrayfield. Plenty of friendly locals and a few tourists.

Lost the euros match but got free chips, staff was lovely

I only had a beer here, but the atmosphere was loud and festive, I met some locals and had a pleasant experience.

Had to come back to Edinburgh again this year. Stayed at the Point A Hotel, which was great (again). Happened to walk down the street to Thomson's for a couple of pints and was impressed with the pub & staff. Really nice atmosphere. The bartender told me they served steak pie on Thursdays & Fridays from noon 'till 2:00 p.m. Well, the next day I went back for a pint and steak pie. I was not disappointed. Their steak pie was absolutely delicious. Unfortunately, tomorrow's Saturday, so I can't go back and get another steak pie :( Definitely stop by this pub if you're ever in Edinburgh. Good beer; great food!!

Always a pleasure to visit Thomson’s. Good beer and friendly atmosphere. Pies are delicious.

Braw local pub. Great cask beers.

Great pub with (sometimes) pies

Cracking pub, unfortunately no pies but brilliant beer selection and staff.

Staff didn't really engage with us on entry, served as no queue at bar. They have a lip in the bar, it's just smaller than a pint, and I put my pint on it, the pint obviously tipped and split, I was mortified and apologised lots to the people around and the landlords that was serving the people next to me, he didn't look at me, acknowledge what had happen, or stop to help just got some blue roll and wiped a bit, I asked him to pass the roll so I could help and he ignored me and went back to pouring a pint, the bar was swimming he is the most RUDE and IGNORANT, manager I have ever met or encountered, I will never go back there and will let everyone know how rude the manager is, if your not a regular you can get tae.... RUDE!!!!

Proper pub. Great chat, great beer, no nonsense

Great bar, full of character, excellent selection of beers and whisky.

Busy bar, football and rugby fans eager for quality ale, Lee and Fraser in tip top form keeping the thirsty sports fans well served 👍

Just looking for a no fuss drink with relatively decent selection and professional bar staff? Drink here.

Standard old school pub. Decent pint, clean toilets, and friendly locals. Didn't have food but I think it's just basic pie n' beans etc. Seen a few workmen having lunch and it looked and smelled good. Recommend a pop in, if your passing.

Great place good selection of beers and whiskies. Great service too.

Small, traditional local bar with excellent beer and spirit selection. The beer is always well poured and presented and the staff are knowledgeable and passionate about their products. The whole bar is spotlessly clean and has a laid back friendly atmosphere. Recommended.

Lovely quaint pub with good beer

A great local pub, with a fantastic, relaxed and friendly atmosphere with a great selection of beers and spirits. Lee the manager is a long-standing staff member with a very friendly and jovial manner and excellent customer service skills. Been going there for many years due to all its attributes.

Nice cold pint after the rugby world cup final

Good choice of beers and spirits .Staff friendly

Very poor service, did not feel well looked after at all

Didn't eat so didn't rate, very responsive & helpful staff.. tried various local brews, perfectly pulled pints.. a nice introduction to Edinburgh (West End)

1st time in Thomson's bar since around 2010. Great pub then - little has changed by looks of it👍 I see Lee is still bar manager all these years later🙂 Last time I was, they did a pint of Caledonian XPA ( sister pint of Deuchars IPA) - one of my all time favs. This time round i had a couple of McEwans 80 Sch. Love 70 Sch ( Mathew's- Queensferry St) and 80 Sch is just as good here. Bar buzzing as Hearts playing a European cup tie tonight. Great bar at at £4.80 a pint, must be one of cheapest 'Real Ale' pubs in Edinburgh -came on Monday night but it was closed. Well worth the re-visit 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

Very noisy had to shout at each other over the rabble

Not been in here for here for a while

Nipped in for a few pints after the football game. Bar staff were friendly and I got served quickly. Great atmosphere in pub.

Great pub with a good choice of real ales and always a whisky offer.

Food was excellent but the place lacked atmosphere

this is a great place to have a few drinks with friends. not to noisy and staff are great and very friendly worth a visit.

Great traditional Scottish pub.

A brilliant traditional locals' bar welcoming to all customers who appreciate a well-kept range of beers and spirits. No intrusive screens or music to distract from a good blether and superb simple pies to feed the appetite. Excellent, friendly, and knowledgeable bar staff keep things running as they should. On oasis for beer lovers in the city!

Was in EDI for a couple of nights early December for the Holiday Market and stopped by this place two or three times. Can't remember. 😆 But each time the service was top - I'm a Yank and they treated me like a local, not a tourist, so that's huge points there. Plus, just a nice, friendly place with a good selection of whiskies, good pours, good prices...it'll be a must for me every trip to EDI from here on out. Thanks again and see you soon!

Great place to visit for a pint after the rugby

Relaxing bar with a good ambience

Had a drink here on Saturday night. 3 of us Irish supports felt unwelcome. Came back on the Sunday evening as it was close to our hotel and was refused entry. Said it was full first off then I looked through the window and seen it wasn't. Then they said they are catching up on cleaning glasses. Cleary don't want irish people there.

Popped in for a couple jars after the rugby nice wee bar very old school good staff enjoyable beer

Nice decor. Well maintained. For four stars, I would want to see a premium beer from Germany. Like Paulaner or Ayinger. Something everyone else doesn't have.

Lovely pub. A bit of a hidden gem

Good selection of real ales proper pub no food on sale just beer,would definitely return

Good pub for a pre-Murrayfield pint of Jarl!

Great pub. Lovely real ales. No music, no sport on huge TV. A pub where you can go for a drink and talk!! Not many of these places left...and just 3 mins walk from Haymarket train station.

Cracking atmosphere, beers and service !

Mixed feelings about our lunchtime visit today to a bar we have visited countless times over the years. On the plus side, the real ale was very good, which is a rarity if you visit a bar early in the day. The steak pies hadn't been delivered to the pub when we arrived, but I made a point of getting our pie order in while the bar was nearly empty. But then the bar filled, and finally the pies arrived. It became clear that they had a 'system', which was to deliver the pies clockwise until everyone round the perimeter of the pub had their food. We watched from the centre of the pub as table after table received their pies. 90% of them weren't even in the pub when I placed our order. Meanwhile, one of the bar staff threw an embarrassing strop, and gave the other bar person a public telling-off, for transgressing the 'clockwise' rule. You need a new system guys - one that puts the customers first, not just something that makes your life easier. There were other issues but let's leave it there...... Quality 5stars; Service 1star.

Warm and comfortable old pub a short stroll from the Old Town. Really great range of beer and well served. Excellent pint of a classic pale ale, Scapa Special, from the Swannay Brewery on Orkney. Very quiet at lunchtime, strangely, not sure where everyone was.

Straight forward pub with good cheap beer. Friendly staff and a local atmosphere.

Superb.bar! Staff are so nice. Love coming here 💙.

From the moment you walk through the door the friendly faces welcome you and make you feel like you’ve arrived home. A great selection of real ale, whisky, and lager, with other spirit and wine options available. Batman Fraser is exceptionally handsome and full of craic. Lee is classic good chat too. You have to visit when here in Edinburgh!!!

Tipoco pib britannico con ampia scelta di birre alla spina veramente ottime. Frequentato dai locali. Non aspettativi un pub fighetto ma un vero pub di quartiere rumoroso e affollato da scozzesi che vogliono godersi la loro birra. Io mi ci sono trovato bene ma é questione di gusti.

Friendly staff. Nice beer. Great space.

I stopped by twice today and it was closed although the website says they are open. I was so hoping to try their Steak pies as no one seems to serve these anymore.

Myself and Several friends had a pie, wine and beer afternoon at this pub. Fantastic time had by us all..A great old fashioned pub with atmosphere and clearly alot of regulars. Worth a visit

Nice to be back after a few years and all as good as ever

This place was closed both times we went. Should have been open per Google. I wonder if they are having staffing issues and can't open. Should put up a sign.

Simple, straight forward Pub. No fuss, no frills, no inflated prices.

Asked for a drink and was told not today. This was at 15:00 and nobody in the party of 3 had drunk more than 2 pints. Disgraceful highly judgemental place. Avoid at all costs.

Excellent, neighborhood pub. Unpretentious and comfortable. Tariff very reasonable.

Superb traditional bar which are few and far between. Top quality cask ales and a good choice of local ones. 4 of us had the Friday lunchtime steak pies, highly recommended. If you like, nice architecture, good beer and!/or whisky, great service and no background music so you can hear yourself speak, then this is the bar for you

Great old fashioned, traditional bar. Pie and beans to die for, with VERY reasonably priced drinks. I'll certainly be back.

Great meeting place. Good prices(for Edinburgh). Good atmosphere.

My cousin Iain Mackay is sadly missed but I walk in here and the conversation starts in my head. I love the simplicity of this bar and the staff and pints are always great. See you again next time.

Good old real pub. Pie and beans to die for and very reasonable bar prices. I'll be back.

Bar staff were nice however the landlord was rude and miserable made our group unwelcome and after 1 drink told us to leave...if he did not want us in he should have not let us buy a round. Avoid especially if your in a small to big group they clearly don't want our business. Also I think we were not welcome as we were English...clearly racist.

Good honest pub, with great wooden decor. And the beer is always in best condition.

An old-style Edinburgh pub, and those are getting harder to find. Great place, great beer!

Forgotten what a gem this is. Need to visit more often.

Big whiskey selection and good beer.

Great friendly wee pub ,not far from hotels or train station, nice atmosphere in a traction style pub

Nice to visit a proper local pub.

Great pub, great staff, great beer selection

My go to boozer when staying at the Hub around the corner. Always an interesting choice of well kept real ales. Great place to fill the gap between my train arriving and hotel check in time. Also a big thanks for the steak pie being cooked for me despite missing the 2pm cut off. Great pie it was too! Many thanks.

Nice pint, miserable barman. Couldn't wait to get back on his phone. No welcome. No smiles. Sure if you want the authentic miserable b experience or if, of course, you're a regular then enjoy. Otherwise spend your £ elsewhere. Thurs 17 March.

Always a good selection of cask ales

As usual, it provided quality beers and excellent staff.

Good pub lots of history usually mobbed but for the first time in an age got a seat...covid working for me for a change!

Small traditional pub, staff very welcoming. No music, so you can chat. Pies on Fridays.

Beer choice not as good as it used to be and the opening times on this list are nonsense. No afternoon trade, apparently, so doesn't open until 2pm.. Ryrie's due to open soon, which should be a better bet.

Excellent service. Great pint of tennents lager and fine selection of whiskys. Good to have a pub with no sky sports just good conversation.

It's ok ,good pint,pies also good.

Only stayed for 1pint as didn't book in advance.

Lovely old-fashioned pub. Great atmosphere and good service, despite being very busy with the post-rugby crowd. Range of ales and lagers.

Close to hotel Leonardo nice spot for a pint

Beer was good and service was brilliant.

Great real world boozer. Good atmosphere, good service, meant to have great food, although we focused on the drink. We hint - the more mature members of the bar staff pull a better pint of Guinness than the youngsters

Well, this is an Edinburgh institution. They know how to run a bar. Stonking ales that look like this. Sparkler brilliance. I mean, look at that.

Real traditional pub with quality ales and a good spirit selection

Always great service, proper pub, great management and my first choice when in town. Difficult times so make sure you support your local boozer too good to lose it!!

One of the best pubs in Edinburgh in my opinion

Гарне, затишне місце! Персонал приємний і ввічливий! Ще б трохи більше місця)))

Good beer, good service and good pies

Great welcoming staff couldn't be more helpful. Reasonable priced. Would definitely visit again. All covid measures in place, Definitely worth a visit.thank you guys.

The staff were great. Abiding by the rules at the time. Good selection of ale and beers. Really friendly service. One top place to visit.

Called in to Thomson's Bar for a few drinks on Saturday early evening having last been in pre lockdown. Glad to see it open again with a good selection of beers available and the usual faces behind the bar. It felt very safe and the staff were following all the guidance as were the customers. Get yourself along and give them your support. We were told that it is advisable to ring ahead at busy times to ensure a table.

Popped in here for a drink before going on for dinner. Pleasant friendly staff. Bar is small and very popular but managed to find a seat. Good selection of whiskies.

It's just a lovely pub with a great selection of real ales. Old fashioned pub with no food.

Most times I've been here it's been good

Awesome pie, great service. Bar staff very friendly. But do try the pie.