Edinburgh Pub Guide: Guildford Arms

Guildford Arms

The Guildford Arms is a superb pub and a must see for any visitor to Edinburgh who appreciates good pubs or good beer. You find it by crossing Princes Street in front of the Balmoral Hotel and nipping up the road besides the Burger King diagonally opposite.

Interior from the Door Looking Towards the Front Door

Inside you find a magnificent interior of glowing dark wood. Once you've negotiated the revolving front door you are faced by the canopied bar. An especially striking feature of the interior is the Gallery Restaurant, which sits at a mezzanine level above the far end of the ground floor.

Etched Window

The Bar

The Guildford Arms is just one of two pubs covered by this guide which have been featured in the beer lovers' bible, CAMRA's annual Good Beer Guide, every year from 2000 to 2006 (the other is the Bow Bar). This is a pub that cares deeply about the quality of its beer, and it shows in the wide choice on offer and in the care with which they are kept.

The Guildford Arms started life as a shop in 1841, but what you see today dates back to its no-expense spared conversion to a pub in the 1890s and to a lot of care and sensitive renovation since.

Address: 1 West Register Street, EH2 2AA
Telephone: 0131 556 4312
Opening hours, normal: 11.00am to 11.00pm
Opening hours, Friday & Saturday: 11.00am to 12.00 midnight
Opening hours, Sunday: 12.30pm to 11.00pm
Real ales: Caledonian Deuchars IPA & 80/-; Orkney Dark Island; Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted; Guest beers
Whisky choice: A range of malt whiskies is always available
Cocktails: No
Hot drinks: Tea, coffees, hot chocolate
Food: Traditional pub food and more. The restaurant menu is à la carte
Food service times: Lunchtimes: Monday through Sunday from 12.00 midday to 2.30pm; Evenings: Sunday through Thursday from 6.00pm to 9.30pm and Friday 6.00pm to 10.00pm; Saturday all day from 12.00 midday to 10.00pm
Music: Background music
Policy on children's access: No children's license
Disabled access: The Guildford is an accessible pub
Clientele: Locals, shoppers, office workers, tourists and beer lovers
Outdoor seating: No
Other attractions: Separate restaurant
Features in: Good Beer Guide 2006; Good Beer Guide 2005; Good Beer Guide 2004; Good Beer Guide 2003; Good Beer Guide 2002; Good Beer Guide 2001; Good Beer Guide 2000; CAMRA's Edinburgh & SE Scotland Real Ale Guide (2004)
If there is anything above that needs updating, please let us know.