Milne’s Bar

Milne’s is a place I always end up in, but never really plan on going to. If that sounds like a put down, it’s not. You see, Rose Street is a strange beast. It’s full of pubs and restaurants and drinking holes that are either too noisy, too busy or too full of stag/​hen parties.
Then there’s Milne’s. For whatever reason, it’s usually a nice little oasis of relative sanity. It’s never *too* busy, and there’s a good range of beers and ales on tap at any given time.
It’s a two level pub, so the upstairs tends to be a wee bit more hectic than the downstairs; handy to remember — don’t just walk in and about turn — get down the stairs for a look.
On Rose Street, you could do a lot worse than take a wander into Milne’s — I’ve decided to change my attitude and deliberately seek it out more on my travels in future. Come on in and I’ll stand you a drink. Beer, though. Nothing fancy…

One of many pubs on Edinburgh’s famous Rose Street. Milne’s Bar is famous due to its literary connections. Several famous Scottish poets are said to have frequented this watering hole in days gone by, including Hugh MacDairmid, Edwin Morgan, Norman MacGaig, Sydney Goodsir Smith and Hamish Henderson.
The pub itself is of the traditional type but has no really outstanding architectural features.
Pleasant enough atmosphere, Real ales are served and food is an option. There is seating outside for the summer months.

I waited ages to be served because the guy behind the bar was too busy talking to people sitting at the bar. I then asked for two gins and as I went to pay for it, the card machine asked if I’d like to leave a gratuity.
Before I had a chance to decide, the barman pressed enter and said ‘I’ve just skipped that part’. I told him that he just added a gratuity which he said he didn’t. I wasn’t in the mood for arguing but two house gins came to £9.
To cap off an unpleasant experience, the mens toilet was disgusting. With one of the urinals blocked and nearly overflowing, and the rest of the toilet was just in need of a good clean.

Went in for a meal and a pint with my wife. After reading the menu and then going to the bar to order, was ignored by the bar man (smarmy git with a wannabe beard and fake posh boy english accent) several times. I was clearly in his eye sight, made eye contact with him and he continued to serve others. As I stepped right up to the bar he made it obvious that he wouldn’t serve me. So after a couple more minutes and a fellow patron asking me if I wanted to move even closer to get noticed, I decided to take my business elsewhere. Very disappointed and hopefully the plant pot of a bar man gets his cards sooner or later. Idiot!

Stopped in for a pint and a bite to eat on a Saturday night. The pub was crowded, but not too loud. Live music was starting up in the upstairs as we readied to leave.
The ale pours were below average — not sure whether it’s their ales or what they use to wash their pint glasses but my creamy top dissipated within a minute or two of the pour.
The boar sausage roll and ham croquettes were pretty nasty and not very appetizing (or good).
I liked the various nooks and the lower level but the staff was average at best, and not overly friendly.
If you’re looking for a great pub to be a regular at, keep looking… Not one of my favorites.

Been coming to Milne’s Bar for as long as I remember. Staff seem to be changing Monthly. Apart from that a good selection of ales and lagers. Large selection of food. The place is a wee bit pricey as you can expect up Rose street. When my wife and myself go shopping up Town I frequent this place while my wife takes a wander round the shops.
I have never seen any bother in this pub ever, a nice place to sit in the window and watch the world go by. I am sitting here now Tuesday afternoon 21^st January at 1:40 pm. Quite busy for a Tuesday afternoon.
I will always come to Milnes, nice relaxing place to be.

Expensive but good for after work drinks!
I went there a few times and usually meeting a few guys there who seem to like this place after a hard days of work. I noticed that compared to other Edinburgh pubs the prices are quite high.
Again, this place seems to be more for the inner city bankers or tourists who do not care about spending £5 on a wine glass.
The place has two floors and I prefer the lower floor. Its very cozy.
It has its special corners where you can hide yourself away from the crowd. I would say it’s good for a first date. Public, but not too public!
In the summer you are able to sit outside and enjoy a bit of «sunshine».
Sometimes its getting so busy that the waiting time takes a bit longer than anticipated. There are massive TV’s on the wall — so definitely good for football watching.
Overall, a pub I like, but there are others I like more…

Very traditional 40+ pub. Lots of rooms and cozy corners so they are high chances to find place to seat even during crowdy weekends evenings.

Central location on Rose Street which is what drew us in. But once inside– it is pretty typical of many of the bars located along this pedestrian mall.
The main floor was packed so the server sent us down the basement. There was one table left in front of the TV where the Olympics were being shown. It was kind of funny for we felt everyone in the place was looking at us but of course it was just the TV hanging above our heads!
This is a chain from the Taylor Walker group which has pubs all over the UK. The menu runs the same between them as well. Since I was only looking for a snack i opted for a bowl of soup and a beer. The soup was just okay but they did have my favorite beer on tap so that put a smile on my face.
If you want to order something– know that you have to go up to the bar and order as there are no servers. But they do end up bringing the food to your table.
Cold beer, friendly staff, okay food. .. .. .not bad for a mid day break!

It’s an OK place if you want to just come for a few drinks with friends and are looking for a pretty central location.
Food is typical pub-​grub.
Service could often be better, but then you are right in «tourist-​city»…

Good quality pub grub, in Edinburgh’s famous literary pub. We summed it up: «if you’re after a spot of traditional pub grub, Milne’s is a very good place to sample it. It consistently delivers an excellent range of hearty dishes that are guaranteed to please. We look forward to that fish finger sandwich on our next visit.»

If I’m being honest, I’ve never been inside, yet managed drinks here on two separate occasions! I will say that I like the amount of outdoor seating it has… there is something about outdoor drinking that I like… whether it is at night before trekking onto another watering hole or a midday drink. That being said, it would be nice to see something other than the betting place across the way. The drinks must’ve been a reasonable price as the guy I was with at the time didn’t seem to complain and let’s just say he keeps a tight budget. Also like that while it is just down the street from where I usually stay, it is also near other bars and restaurants so it makes for a convenient stop on the drinking trail.

It’s hard for me to write reviews of these sort of places, as the old-​man /​traditional pubs are not the sorts of places I’d choose to go to myself and don’t have much experience of. It’s not that I think they’re lesser compared to my preferred watering holes; it’s just I prefer somewhere with music, funky quirky details with décor, the potential for interesting cocktails, and more than one type of gin. Also, I don’t like beer or football.
That being said I had a merry wee time in Milne’s Bar on a Saturday eve. There was even football on the tv when I was there and the simultaneous roars of the crowd on-​screen and jeers of the crowd in the bar didn’t disrupt the banter I was enjoying.
I came here with some friends for some pre-​dinner drinks. Luck would have it we were dining at Seadogs which is a stone’s throw. It’s a traditional pub, quite nicely decorated and preserved along this line. They EVEN had Hendrick’s Gin and Slimline tonic which isn’t always the case in more traditional places.
As far as centre-​of-​town traditional pubs go, this one’s pretty nice.

Always pop in here for some lunch, the foods good, not large portions and a good selection of drinks, the staff are on the ball and even when the place is buzzing the service was spot on. but one criticism — pet hate. I hate the Idea of take your table number to the bar and pay for your order upfront, sure for drinks or if your outside (Brewers Fare comes to mind)
It wont stop me from going back tho.

Pretty nice little bar. I was there for a work function and we’d reserved the downstairs area — it was a great little spot, they did some good food and a nice choice of beers.
Not too noisy, too crowded, or too quiet. Plus I had a win on the bandit. Yeah!

I’m reviewing this less as a pub, more as a Fringe venue. Though the fact it is such a great pub is the reason it’s a great venue. I saw a one man monologue type thing in here called ‘Honest’. If you get chance go and see it, it’s really darkly funny and incredibly misanthropic. Nominated for all sorts of stuff.
Milne’s itself is on the very popular stag route of Rose St, where nearly every business on there is a pub. And it’s like a tardis inside. Room after room after room spiralling downwards. I felt a bit lost by the time I got to the tiny little room (which seats about 20 people) where the show was being performed. But the clinking of glasses and background chatter of punters provided the perfect backdrop for what just happened to be an excellent performance.
Also, they’ve loads of draft ales, some good, some bad. Avoid the Directors, it tastes like ashtray. But ask the bar staff, they’ll let you try before you buy. Great spot.

Miles of Rose Street is a charming pub in an equally charming area just behind Princes St.
The pubs in this area are pretty upmarket, and Milnes is no exception. It is more traditional in style than some of the pubs along this stretch, but old meets new in its décor.
They have a hearty gastropub menu which isn’t too over the top, and will undoubtedly suit most tastes. They have a good selection of booze and their prices aren’t through the roof. Staff are friendly and there’s a nice, relaxed but busy atmosphere most of the time.
It’s a nice alternative to some of the stuffy «traditional» places on the Royal Mile, and an equally nice step out of the affected attitude of some of the «style» pubs and restaurants within the city centre.

Milnes of Rose Street is another great wee pub in the fantastic Rose Street in Edinburgh. Milnes is pretty standard pub, but it is on two floors with … wait for it … two bars!!! Amazing. However, it also comes with the standard pub stained carpets and below average toilets.
This pub stocks a wide range of different beers, ales and wines along with the usual spirit selection and so there is something here to suit everyone. Milnes also serves the usual pub meals including pies, steak, soup and, my particular favourite, fish and chips, which had really well cooked fish and plenty of chips –always a bonus! The prices are incredibly reasonable here too, with a large glass of house wine costing about five pounds, and most main meals in the six to seven pound region.
The staff are always incredibly friendly and plentiful and there is always music playing in the background, giving it a lively and fun atmosphere — definitely a place to go for pre-​drinks before a night out.

A large pub with gothic pews and large tables. The staff was very friendly and informative. My friend and I were able to sample the different beers on tap before commiting to a pint. The other customers at the pub were just as lovely. We didn’t make it into the door when a couple of tourists stopped us for a quick chat. Then at the bar, a friendly man chatted us up… not in a skeezy, creepy way… just a friendly chat about Scotland and whiskey and beer.

I’ve said it before. I think Rose Street might house my favourite pubs in Edinburgh. I am never usually in the City for a wild night out so when I do my drinking in the daytime, I like a cosy, traditional place. Milnes fits the bill rather well.
The only complaint was that we ordered food and it took so long to come I actually complained, which I very, very rarely ever do unless I am very annoyed. This was one such occasion. The bar was not busy so there didn’t seem to be a need for the wait, and when it finally did come it wasn’t the greatest pub grub I have ever had to be honest.
I left a little bit disappointed but not adverse to go back and have a drink in the future. I really liked the cosy, warm feel of the place and despite my complaint the staff were really nice.