John Leslie Pub
John Leslie Pub
4.5
12:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Monday
12:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Tuesday
12:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Wednesday
12:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 9:30 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
28 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
4
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Donna M
Haywards Heath, UK3 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
This is a proper traditional Edinburgh pub, just far enough from the City Centre to miss the tourist traps. (But only a 10-15 minute walk, well worth it) We visit every time we come to Edinburgh, staff are fantastic, locals friendly and a great selection of beers, wines and spirits. Vert traditional with the little hatches you put your head through to order your drink! Well worth a visit.
Written November 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew G
Sheffield, UK12 contributions
Aug 2020
A really nice traditional pub with an amazing selection of scotch whiskey and really friendly atmosphere would recommend a visit.
Written August 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
davey1949
Pickering, Canada646 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
Went here for after dinner drinks. An interesting traditional style pub, divided into two parts with different entrances! A good selection of beer, real ales on tap and single malts. The regulars don't seem to want to share the space, so it is sometimes not easy to approach the bar, and the staff aren't particularly friendly and are quite gruff. Very much enjoyed the beer and malts though and they have a deal for mix and match 4 drinks for 11 GBP, choosing a combination of malts and/or 2/3 pints of ale. Worth a stop if you are nearby to say you've been there, but nothing special.
Written May 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Davidbaird1
Edinburgh, UK41 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
This is a nice pub with plenary of original features but the pricing can catch you out if your not carful.
I went in and looked at their whisky’s and chose a Belvinie 14yo Caribbean cask. It’s served in a 35ml measure which is standard for this type of pub. It’s a lovely whiskey but I nearly spat it out when I was charged £9.50 per measure.
It seemed a bit greedy to me hence the 1 out of 5.
On a positive note the bar staff are friendly
I went in and looked at their whisky’s and chose a Belvinie 14yo Caribbean cask. It’s served in a 35ml measure which is standard for this type of pub. It’s a lovely whiskey but I nearly spat it out when I was charged £9.50 per measure.
It seemed a bit greedy to me hence the 1 out of 5.
On a positive note the bar staff are friendly
Written July 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom L
2 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
Unfriendly staff and a bunch of locals that block access to the bar and toilets. The kind of place you that treats you like you don’t belong
Written September 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin C
Austin, TX59 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
The John Leslie is a bar unique in my experience. Many bars have a way of providing some privacy for members. It might take the form of a partition separating the front from the rear. At the John Leslie the privacy goes a step further.
A couple of locals told us about the John Leslie while we were drinking in the Old Bell on Causewayside in Edinburgh. It was just a block down the street.
From the street, the bar looks like the classic British pub, with polished wood front and a long wide painted plank across the top with gold letters proclaiming that the bar was established in 1896. Large windows and hanging plants complete the facade.
Inside we found the familiar polished wood-wainscoting on white walls, and worked wood bar. Globe chandeliers gave the bar ample light. A partition separated the small front entry room from the larger back lounge.
In the back room, a partition separates the customer from the bartender. The partition is opened by a few low windows that reach only from the bar up to about chest level. Our drinking buddies had told us that the oritinal purpose of this partition was to prevent the bartender from recognizing his patrons.
The large back room was comfortably furnished with plush red upholstered benches and chairs. In one corner two men were playing chess. In a separate room a single television was on.
We ordered Scotch. Not fearing to be recognized, we leaned our elbows on the bar to order from our barmaid, a middle-aged woman. After a flight we settled on the Auchentoshan and the Scapa, two lusciously smooth single malt whiskies.
Relaxing against the cushions, we talked and laughed about the adventures of the day.
A couple of locals told us about the John Leslie while we were drinking in the Old Bell on Causewayside in Edinburgh. It was just a block down the street.
From the street, the bar looks like the classic British pub, with polished wood front and a long wide painted plank across the top with gold letters proclaiming that the bar was established in 1896. Large windows and hanging plants complete the facade.
Inside we found the familiar polished wood-wainscoting on white walls, and worked wood bar. Globe chandeliers gave the bar ample light. A partition separated the small front entry room from the larger back lounge.
In the back room, a partition separates the customer from the bartender. The partition is opened by a few low windows that reach only from the bar up to about chest level. Our drinking buddies had told us that the oritinal purpose of this partition was to prevent the bartender from recognizing his patrons.
The large back room was comfortably furnished with plush red upholstered benches and chairs. In one corner two men were playing chess. In a separate room a single television was on.
We ordered Scotch. Not fearing to be recognized, we leaned our elbows on the bar to order from our barmaid, a middle-aged woman. After a flight we settled on the Auchentoshan and the Scapa, two lusciously smooth single malt whiskies.
Relaxing against the cushions, we talked and laughed about the adventures of the day.
Written March 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gogs Rossi
Edinburgh, UK789 contributions
Oct 2019
My wife and I undertook a wee pub crawl and pubs on the south side of Edinburgh that we hadn't visited for a number of years and John Leslie was on our list.
We calculated that it was about 15 years since we had been to the pub and apart from a lick of paint, it hadn't really changed since our last visit. We were happy with this as we are not fans of new plastic pubs.
On arrival we were greeted by a friendly member of staff who was happy to help with our beer selection. On ordering and tasting my beer I noticed that it tasted off as it was probably from the bottom of the barrel.
I pointed this out to the member of staff who had served me and he could apologise enough. I then selected another beer which was excellent. Overall great customer service.
I certainly enjoyed my visit to John Leslie and also look forward to my next visit.
We calculated that it was about 15 years since we had been to the pub and apart from a lick of paint, it hadn't really changed since our last visit. We were happy with this as we are not fans of new plastic pubs.
On arrival we were greeted by a friendly member of staff who was happy to help with our beer selection. On ordering and tasting my beer I noticed that it tasted off as it was probably from the bottom of the barrel.
I pointed this out to the member of staff who had served me and he could apologise enough. I then selected another beer which was excellent. Overall great customer service.
I certainly enjoyed my visit to John Leslie and also look forward to my next visit.
Written October 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roland P
4 contributions
May 2019
This is the quintesentail Scot pub but with a twist. There are doors, one for each side, the genteals on one side and the skullywags the other :-)
Awsome selection of everything to get going.
Awsome selection of everything to get going.
Written June 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My humble opinion
Edinburgh, UK801 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
This is one of the few traditional pubs left in Edinburgh so would definitely recommend you go out of you way to visit.
Roaring log fire was lovely on a cold wintry night and loved the pile of traditional board games.
Roaring log fire was lovely on a cold wintry night and loved the pile of traditional board games.
Written November 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlunofBookham
18 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
This is one of the best watering holes that I have ever visited. The landlord and his wife know a thing or two about what makes a really outstanding pub. Order a glass of white wine and it is poured into a glass straight from the chiller!
In winter you will be greeted by a warm open fire and an equally warm welcome from the staff.
Miss this pub at your peril.
In winter you will be greeted by a warm open fire and an equally warm welcome from the staff.
Miss this pub at your peril.
Written July 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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