Jolly Judge
Jolly Judge
4.5
12:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Monday
12:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Tuesday
12:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
12:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
12:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Friday
12:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Saturday
12:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Sunday
12:30 PM - 11:00 PM
About
Welcome to the Jolly Judge public bar in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. Low beamed ceilings, warm fire and a tranquil atmosphere, this is Scottish hospitality at its best. Sample the wide range of malt whiskies, real ales and tempting bar lunches.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavoured souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
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2,195 within 3 miles
Attractions
505 within 6 miles
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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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
790 reviews
Excellent
451
Very good
276
Average
36
Poor
12
Terrible
15
Luke J
8 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Great little boozer just of the mile.
Had a great range of lager to pick from which was ideal. All reasonably local stuff.
Inside is very traditional and if the weather is okay the courtyard is a very cool place to enjoy a pint.
Nice one Jolly Judge!
Had a great range of lager to pick from which was ideal. All reasonably local stuff.
Inside is very traditional and if the weather is okay the courtyard is a very cool place to enjoy a pint.
Nice one Jolly Judge!
Written 12 April 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.
Marisa E
Cascais, Portugal1 contribution
Jan 2022 • Family
I visited Jolly Judge pub at the beginning of January 2022. The pub appears very warm and relaxed atmosphere, however the staff are very rude. I order from one staff member (I think her name is Elizabeth), and it is clear we are creating problems for her, I think she prefers when there are not many customers. The choice of beer and the atmosphere was very good, however the staff reduce this - manger also appears very scruffy. Not what to expect in a pub like this.
Written 7 January 2022
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.
Engelsvrou
Perth, UK76 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
Love coming to this pub. Really quaint and atmospheric. Cosy inside with a good selection of drinks - try the Leith Pils, it’s really good. You feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you’re here.
Written 9 October 2022
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.
greyandgreen
Manchester30 contributions
Nov 2021
I visited Jolly Judge pub with my wife and a friend in late November 2021 . The pub appeared nice and welcoming, however on entering we were initially told there was no room at the Inn, and could not be served, with no suggestion to how we could maybe secure a table later. We then we stood outside the pub trying to decide were we should go as an alternative, and we noticed a small group leave, on re-entering we found a small table by the bar and eventually got served. It became clear that the bar was pretty clicky, with a group of around four or five next to us, being friends of the bar manager / bar staff and taking up valuable seating for visitors. We had decided to pay a visit to this pub as it had been recommended as one of the top small bars to go too, and to sample the Cider. However our visit was spoilt by the attitude of the manger who was pretty surly with poor customer service attributes.
Written 12 January 2022
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.
TCT100
Barnoldswick, UK18 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Opened later than advertised. We were just about to enter when a staff member sharply snapped just give me two minutes and barged past us with a board for outside. Then she said you are standing right where I need to go! Needless to say we didn’t bother stopping for a drink!
Written 21 January 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.
pauljorgensen65
London, UK112 contributions
Aug 2021 • Business
22:50 on a Friday during The Fringe.
“We’re closing now I’m afraid”.
I’m not afraid to say that I won’t be hurrying back. The busiest time of year for Edinburgh and there’s a Midnight Licence but you choose to turn away business. I have no sympathy for any publican or brewery who will say they’re having a hard time.
“We’re closing now I’m afraid”.
I’m not afraid to say that I won’t be hurrying back. The busiest time of year for Edinburgh and there’s a Midnight Licence but you choose to turn away business. I have no sympathy for any publican or brewery who will say they’re having a hard time.
Written 13 August 2021
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.
Allan C
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Friends
Really disappointed and annoyed by overly aggressive bar staff attempting to get people to finish their drinks at the end of a busy pre Christmas Friday evening. In over forty years of living (and drinking happily and peacefully) in Edinburgh, I have never been subject to such behaviour - staff trying to snatch glasses out of people’s hands! Completely inappropriate and out of all proportion. Disgraceful.
Written 16 December 2022
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.
Marcelo Nogueira
Assis, SP28 contributions
Jan 2020
A little hidden in the alley, this is a typical Scottish pub. Small, cozy, with the fireplace on... Great option for draft beer (mainly Scottish one). Not a fancy or a tourist catch pub, instead a more authentic place from those that I could see there... Worth to go to a one (or two, three...) pint!
Written 19 January 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.
Greig R
Dalgety Bay, UK98 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
A wee quirky pub in the old part of the city just off the Royal Mile. Friendly staff and a decent selection of beers, wines and spirits. No TV or jukebox so you have to sit and actually talk to the people you're with, what a great concept lol. Definitely going back the next time I'm in auld reekie.
Written 31 July 2022
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.
Jamie
Coventry, UK84 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
We loved this traditional pub. Great choice of drinks. Father in law visited in 1987 and he says it’s barely changed at all, which is great. Can imagine being sat here in a flurry of snow, too cosy to leave. Be lucky to get a seat at the best of times!
Written 3 April 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.
No just lunchtimes
Written 30 March 2019
Are children welcome? If not, can you recommend anywhere decent on or just off Royal Mile?
Written 10 March 2015
Unfortunately no, due to licencing laws no children are allowed inside the pub. They are welcome to join you in the outside seating area (above 5 years of age).
Written 11 June 2017
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