Regent Bar

LGBT friendly. Had an exhibition here and the clientele and staff were lovely. Welcoming environment. Would definitely recommend

Ever since the first time I set foot in the Regent Bar purely by accident, I’ve found myself turning up again and again and have yet to be disappointed.
Reasons why I totally dig the Regent Bar:
— It’s LGBT friendly. Say what! Don’t get me wrong, when I say that I don’t mean you’re going to walk into a Pride Parade. Sure, there’s a rainbow flag suspended from one bit of ceiling, but aside from that you won’t really have rainbows and pink triangles hurled into your face. It’s just your basic old-​mannish, wooden-​interiored, cozy pub, with a little splash of extra charm.
— The food is spot on, complete with some above-​average veggie offerings for folk like myself… and dang, that veggie chili is GOOD! Everything is fairly priced and each time I’ve had a nibble it’s been just nommy.
— The bartenders are friendly and more than willing to give you some advice or suggestions if you’re looking to sample an unfamiliar dram or two. There’s always some solid brews on tap (nothing too fancy here) and they are comfortable with your typical cocktails.
— You can play BOARD GAMES here. I’ve been on at least two occasions where we’ve spread out over some of the larger tables, and no one has batted an eye – they’ve even got a few on hand, if you like being flummoxed by obscure Trivial Pursuit questions! I’ve also seed people reading books and just generally relaxing inside.
— One time I was there and spied a wee dog named George trotting up to the door. As a customer (presumably a regular) very politely offered him the open door. He went outside, did his business, and was promptly let back in by yet another customer. Adorableeeeeeeeee. So yeah, this place is dug friendly!
–There seems to be a rotating selection of art on some of the walls – I only notice because at one point it was all cute little dog breed painted portraits. Also charming!
–One of the bartenders was cranking out some Dolly Parton on the speakers. Uh, can I just ay hells yeah? *Dolly Parton is my spirit animal*
All in all, the Regent is rock-​solid little joint with a splash of charm that just keeps me coming right on back. If you’re looking for a relaxing time with friends, some decent grub, maybe a change of scenery in playing a quick boardgame with friends, or all of the above, I’d give this one a gander!

Friendly staff, super laid back environment. I spent most of my afternoon there on New Year’s Eve nursing nursing a buzz and waiting to meet up with my friends for the main event. I grabbed some dinner there, and had a really nice sweet potato curry put together by a man who I think may have been the owner. Either way, the food was really tasty. The other patrons were a nice mixture of locals and tourists. I think it has cool that the bar is dog friendly, although there were a few dogs that didn’t get along.

Love this place — nice & relaxed vibe, always a good atmosphere without being crammed in like sardines. They’ve got a great selection of real ales and some good lagers too. It’s dog friendly, and does stovies for a fiver. Bargain!

A solid, decent and honest bar in a bit of a dry area. There’s not a huge amount of places to choose from around this part of town, unless you head right down to Easter Road.
The Regent Bar is not super-​modern inside and your first impressions may be that it’s a little run-​down, even. However, the staff are extremely friendly and they have a very solid selection of real-​ales on the pumps and bottled beers in the fridge.
The interior is comfortable and there’s a decent amount of space, despite it looking very small from the outside. Some of the clientele can be a bit sketchy, but not in a way that bothered me particularly.
The food, though, was a big surprise. Normally in a small, humble, beer-​centric pub, you don’t expect much from the food. Indeed, the sticky, laminated menus didn’t fill us with confidence, but the food was actually remarkably good!
I had the vegetable chilli with rice. The chilli was obviously home-​made and tasted great. The rice was infused with turmeric and was delicious. The missus had macaroni cheese, which also tasted definitely home-​made and was really nice. We shared the houmous and pitta bread starter. The houmous was nice enough and the salad it came with was deliciously fresh with a very tasty dressing. Surprising indeed!
With one main each and a starter shared between us, both myself and the old ball-​and-​chain were totally stuffed. At only £3−4 for a starter and £6−7 for a main, that’s a very cheap and tasty way to get stuffed.
You’re unlikely to go far wrong with the Regent Bar. Oh and it’s also ‘gay friendly’, whatever that means.

This used to be my favourite bar in Edinburgh: friendly, chilled, great beers, even better menu. How can you not love a gay real ale bar? I still love the mac and cheese — and the nachos — but I think it’s lost something over the last wee while. And not just everyone heading down the road to the Safari Lounge.
It’s still one of the best places to drink around Abbeyhill and London Road. Especially if you have a dog. I just think it needs a little boost in terms of décor, staff friendliness and beer options to bring it back to its better days.

I’ve been to this pub many times as it was quiet close to where I lived in Edinburgh. Very nice and welcoming atmosphere, cosy seating area and interesting decoration. Everybody is relaxed and friendly here. You might see a family with their grandpa eat dinner right next to a punk reading the newspaper. Good real ale selection and their haggis, neeps and tatties are great. It’s perfect for eating out after a long day at work.

Great little pub just off Carlton hill, went there for the first time a couple of weeks ago as part of the Samhuinn stewards group the place was very friendly standard pub seating comfy enough. Great tasting simple food prepared to order very nice selection or real ales and the food is just the kind you want to be eating with a good pint.
The staff were really friendly even though we were a large group; some bar staff in similar sized bars can get a bit shitty when ;large groups come in and order food and as individuals, NOT here they were welcoming and happy to help.
Ended up here for a good few hours and could easily of spent the whole night.
It markets its self as Edinburgh’s Gay real ale pub but to be honest if it wasn’t for the information on the menus and the sex ed posters and free condoms and lube; a common thing in gay venues but sadly not in «straight» bars and clubs, you wouldn’t know.
So in summary this place is great grab some mates get along have a pint with a toastie or some nachos and have a great night/​day chatting away, putting the world to rights.

My wife and I walked in there this night just based on the criteria that they serve food all day and have some real ales. First impression was: This is a really nice neighourhood pub (I noticed later that it had won several Camra awards well deserved!) Second impression: There could be more Real Ales the friedly waiter offered samples from the few casks he had and admitted there should be more bottled ales.
Third impression: Good food, good beer, friendly staff plus a shelf with free (!) books.
Had they offered more cask ales they would easily reach 5 stars.
And yes: the people there really seem to care about the gay community (free condoms at the toilet!), pamphlets, leaflets and magazines all over the place. And they attract customers from that community; but not only these.

Warm, welcoming & comfy bar serving well kept real ales. Could do with more than just the 2 or 3 taps they have at present but otherwise I can’t fault with it. Have never had food here so can’t yet comment on that aspect.

Although this is tipped as a «gay bar»… it’s not REALLY (i.m.o)… when compared with the likes of Planet/GHD/CC’s etc. I would say it’s more of a gay FRIENDLY bar…
Inside it’s actually more of an «old man’s pub» with lots of bench seating all around the outside, comfy armchairs and a few stools dotted around the bar. They have a large selection of board games and books to help while the time away over a few pints.
Good if you’re an ale fan as they often have guest ales on tap. Food menu isn’t huge but everything I’ve had from it (about half) has been tasty.
Glad to call this place my local! If only it had a secret beer garden out the back for summer time I think it would be perfect!

Great staff and beer selection on tap. Friendly atmosphere for both straight and gay.
Good nibbles too, the nachos are great. … I should really go here more often.

I’m in the Regent right now, in one of the comfiest chairs I know. It’s become something of a home from home for me, this place it’s friendly and cosy, it’s on the way home from the Crags when I take Fergus for a long walk, it has real ale, great food (macaroni cheese to die for) and speedy wifi.
It’s calm during the daytime a good place to meet friends, or to read or work; it gets going in the evening, when there’s always a fun crowd in, a right mixed bunch of people of all walks of life. It’s dog-​friendly so dog-​friendly, in fact, that your dog is brought a bowl of water and a chew as soon as you sit down. Fergus loves it in here, as do I. A favourite of mine, and a regular haunt.

I checked this place out last month when I was in town. It showed up on a list of real ale pubs and I was all about giving some of them a try.
I showed up on a Thursday night. The inside was clean and it was fairly busy. Despite this, I did manage to snag a seat at the bar. It’s always a bit funny when you’re the out of towner and stepping into a neighborhood kind of bar. I’m pleased to say that I did feel welcome. As advertised, they had several «real ales» available. Despite the brisk pace of customer orders, my bartender was very friendly and gave me several tasty suggestions for local brews. They also had a malt of the month on special as well. We need that back home! They were serving food, but I was still stuffed from my dinner so I didn’t give that a try. I have no idea if this matters but they had a big notice on their taps stating they don’t use «sparklers» for their real ales unless you request they do. I hadn’t seen such a device before but I’m assuming it’s an important matter for the extreme real ale enthusiast.
Aside from the bar itself, there were tables and also what I’d call lounge style seating for lack of a better word. This would definitely be good meeting place for small groups of friends. As to this being a gay bar, I guess I could see that on my visit but only if looking closely. I think back home we’d just call it gay friendly. For what it’s worth, I was a lone male and definitely didn’t feel uncomfortable that evening. For any last century guy out there who might worry, you won’t be manhandled while enjoying your beer.
So if you’re in the area and want to check out a real ale bar, this is your place. I’m sorry I didn’t make it back for a second visit.

This is a good place for real ale; good enough to win a couple of CAMRA awards in recent years! I was a bit confused initially by being addressed as darling (my friend was sweetheart). When I sat down I saw on their menu that the pub is a gay real ale pub, not a combination you see every day. It is a shame that qype doesn’t allow multiple categories for this place (why? anybody?) because it is more than a Gay Bar.

What what what? A friendly pub in Auld Reekie? Surely not.
But yes. The staff here give you a good warm welcome, and the pub in general is friendly and inviting.
I’m disinclined to call this a gay bar as so many do and as it advertises, because there’s little to distinguish itself as one. Also, in this day and age, it really shouldn’t matter. I know it does, I’m not living in a dream world. But it shouldn’t.
If I am going to pigeon hole this place, I’d call it a real ale bar. They have a selection of good lagers and always have guest ales on. They also run ale festivals. Also the hops draped along one wall gives it away.
Food here is good, quick and cheap (compared to standard Edinburgh prices).
If I was a local, I’d be happy to call it my local. But I’m not, so I’ll say it’s a regular haunt when I’m through, and I’m happy to say that.

I went to this pub with friends. They advertise themselves as a gay pub but it isn’t that obvious. We went there because it is one of the few places in Edinburgh that dogs are welcome.
The menu was quite small but still had an excellent variety to include vegetarian options. The staff and other customers were very nice, and as some of the other reviewers mentioned they really make you feel welcome.
My friend left his phone by mistake and they looked after it and returned it to him the next day. We went in at lunchtime and really enjoyed the drinks the food and the experience.
I highly recommend, and would suggest that it is a good place to visit even for those of you like me who are straight.

Used to be my local and it’s a good bar. The staff are always friendly and the atmosphere is always laid back and jovial. Dogs are allowed in which is great because I love dogs.
Never had the food mind you because it’s quite pricey, considering it’s warmed up in a microwave.
I recommend getting a pint or three of Old Rosie scrumpy cider, just dont drink it if you have work the next day. Seriously.

It doesn’t have a rainbow flag outside, but you can quickly realise when you go in that this is a gay bar.
The thing that tipped me off was that there was no head turning when I walked in. I suppose it’s always a good way to find out for sure, if it’s the girls’ heads that are turning then you know the score.
The crowd that have been in it the couple of times I’ve stopped in it have been so friendly and welcoming, you feel like a local within half an hour of being in.
Inside the bar itself is pretty cool, with loads of cool colours and several bizarre animal charicatures on the walls. I’ve ate in it once, having the nachos which were great and well priced.
Nice bar with a different atmosphere to most of the other bars in Edinburgh, definitely worth a visit.

Yes, it’s a gay bar. No, it really doesn’t look like a gay bar at all. By gay bar, I should probably specify gay pub. Because it is indeed a pub. There’s a small, yet very definite difference between a bar and a pub (mainly all the wooden furniture and ale), and this one falls into the latter category.
At the Regent, not only do they serve really really good ale, but they also sell really really good food. Vegetarian food, to boot. It’s a bit out of the way for me, this place, but I’d say that at times it’s well worth the walk. Though, to be honest, I’m not sure I could tell you how to get there. Not because I’ve arrived or departed drunk, but because I’ve arrived from so many different directions, that the Regent remains in a mysterious directionless location for me. All I know is that it’s somewhere by Calton Hill. I think that’s all you need to know.
The only thing that gave the pub away as a gay pub (to me) was 1) my friends telling me it was one and 2) the gay magazines strewn across the tables. This place has really got a great atmosphere. Dark and wooden and with little to no antipathy directed towards newcomers. Highly highly recommended. Oh! They also have Crabbie’s Ginger Beer. Tasty.