Jolly Judge

Great little pub just off the Royal Mile! Great selection of beer and cider on tap. This is a can’t miss spot.

The Jolly Judge Pub in Edinburgh is a charming spot that perfectly combines warmth and traditional Scottish character with a modern flair. Located in the city center, this hidden gem embodies the essence of a classic Scottish pub. As you step inside, you'll find a cozy atmosphere with low wooden beams, unique decor, and comfortable seating, making it ideal for both a quiet drink after a day of sightseeing and a lively evening out with friends. The drinks menu features a fantastic selection of local and international craft beers, fine wines, and an impressive range of whiskies. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, ready to offer great recommendations based on what you like. The food at the Jolly Judge is equally impressive, highlighting classic pub dishes made with fresh, local ingredients. Be sure to try the haggis, and don’t miss out on the perfectly crispy and flavorful fish and chips. There are also vegetarian options available, so there’s something for everyone. What truly makes the Jolly Judge special is its rich history and welcoming atmosphere. Both regulars and tourists feel right at home, creating a sense of community that’s hard to find elsewhere. Plus, with live music events and quiz nights, there’s always something fun happening at the pub.

The Jolly Judge provides a truly authentic Edinburgh pub experience in a charming, tucked-away basement location. The cosy, low-ceilinged interior, complete with a welcoming log fire, creates an inviting atmosphere perfect for relaxation. With its range of real ales, well-kept ciders, and an impressive selection of whiskies, the Jolly Judge caters to both locals and visitors seeking a genuine taste of Scottish hospitality. The knowledgeable and friendly staff add a personal touch, making each visit feel special. Conveniently located just off the Royal Mile, it is an ideal spot to unwind after exploring the city. The unique ambience and quality offerings make it a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy Edinburgh’s pub culture. Five stars well-deserved for this hidden gem.

The Jolly Judge: A Hidden Gem Off the Royal Mile Nestled just off the bustling Royal Mile, The Jolly Judge is a charming little pub tucked away in a historic building. Despite its small size, the pub has a welcoming and inviting atmosphere. A Quaint Retreat: Historic Charm: The Jolly Judge's quaint setting, with its exposed stone walls and traditional decor, provides a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city center. Friendly Service: The staff at The Jolly Judge are friendly and attentive, ensuring a pleasant experience for all patrons. A Great Drinking Hole: Relaxing Atmosphere: Whether you're looking for a quiet pint or a lively conversation, The Jolly Judge offers a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Off the Beaten Path: If you're seeking a break from the crowds on the Royal Mile, The Jolly Judge is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a drink. Overall: The Jolly Judge is a hidden gem that offers a charming and welcoming atmosphere. If you're looking for a great drinking hole off the beaten path, be sure to check it out!

We turned into this alley randomly and stumbled upon this incredibly cozy "basement" pub. The bartenders are very friendly. From now on, it's our must-visit spot in Edinburgh, and we recommend it to everyone.

Stopped in here on recommendation from a local. Space inside is small but cozy and if the weather is nice they have a nice patio. Tucked away down the side from Royal Mile, this offers a cozy respite from the tourist crowds. Bartenders were friendly and prompt.

This place is truly unique and special. It shouldn't be this great because it's in the middle of some of the heaviest tourist traffic in town. But it's through a little "close" and only for the adventurous. Not necessarily divey but it's a bit of a hole in the wall. You walk down the stairs into a tiny little pub full of life and good vibes. Friendly barkeepers and good conversation and on a busy day the crowd flows out into the courtyard. One of the best pubs in this part of town.

Cracker wee spot just out of the way enough to not bustle like the other tourist traps! Great beer selection! Could do with some snacks but that from a boozy muncher lol! Staff super engaging and knowledgeable!

Traditional and historic pub always go to jolly judge when in Edinburgh love the place

This place was phenomenal. It's definitely a cozy, Scottish spot. Very traditional. Great prices. Friendly bartender.

Located off of the busy touristy Royal mile. This small tavern was packed. We grabbed a quick pint of local brew. The tavern was small and quaint. It became busy and over crowded so we moved on after our one pint.

Pretty standard Edinburgh pub. Classic pub vibe. No food. Pretty small. Standard drink options. Outside seating. Efficient service. Not a destination but decent place for drink.

Very small pub approx 11 tables mostly for 2 . Medieval times for sure . Nice to think of all the folks who entered this place through the ages .. lively too

Great place to pop in for a pint. Love the is place! Definitely stop in and enjoy a true Scottish pub experience.

Quaint neighborhood bar. Casual and authentic. Inside is small but they have a nice courtyard.

Everything you would want in a great pub. Great ambience cold beer what more could you ask for.

Great cozy pub full of conversation and no loud background music. Service was quick, friendly and helpful. The crowd was relaxed and cordial. Very happy we found it.

Went for drinks in the afternoon. Exactly what you'd want from a pub in Edinburgh. Small. Intimate. Old and plenty of drink choices.

After dodging sword eaters and tchotchke vendors galore, we ducked into the Jolly Judge for a pint (or two). It was certainly worth our while - they've got some decent beers on tap, and the prices are certainly right. It's not too crowded either, so those looking for a breather best pay them a visit.

So a friend discovered this place after getting stressed by the amount of people on the Royal Mile and meeting a place to get away from it. After ducking down a little alleyway, lo and behold, he found the Jolly Judge. This is now his quiet place when he comes to town and this part of the city gets too much. It's a nice wee bar for a drink. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to leave Stockbridge to head there, but its an awesome place to hide out during the day when tourists and out in full force and you're sick of all the noise and business.

Had a nice couple pints and whiskies here with some sandwiches. Quiet, on a courtyard, the best part it was cool and had fresh air, unlike other pubs on Royal Mile. Nice people tending and very reasonable prices for top brands. Tasty toasties. A good find.

One of my favorite traditional pubs in Scotland. It's not on the Royal Mile, well...not right on it. The bartender was affable, the surfing cask ales (you must be takin a piss, mate) were awesome and the traditional decor rules. Once you're done with the castle tour and the Scot Whiskey Experience, roll by this place. You'll be sitting there, drinking pints, chatting with cute locals for hours, and hours, and hours.

Went in... tiny place and full! I liked the atmosphere for a small Scottish pub... wish my buddy and I had been able to actually find space to sit and have a beer! We couldn't, so we left! But it looked cool...

A cozy bar resto that serves excellent lentil curry soup and toasties. The place is very warm and cozy. Friendly staff. Will definitely go back there again before we head out of Edinburgh.

A while back, I was doing the tourist thing on the Royal Mile when I ducked down a side street to avoid the crowds. It wasn't long before I found the Jolly Jude, and it was a discovery that made my afternoon. This pub was like a little cave, or at the very least, my cousin's basement. Yup, I'm not ashamed to admit that I like cozy, and this pub is the definition of cozy. I ordered the lunch special, the plowman's lunch: fresh meat and cheese with a cold pint. The food was simple but hearty. The bartender was very helpful suggesting several brands of scotch for my buddy and I to taste. I have to admit that I didn't really know much about the "water of life" before I came to Edinburgh, but my barkeep did a really nice job of schooling me on the basic..now, I cringe whenever I see someone toss an ice cube in a glass of scotch. The locals, the food, and the atmosphere here where perfect. My only complaint, if you can call it that, is that the selection of beers where pretty much what I get back home. However that was really minor, and this will be one of my first stops when I return to Edinburgh

On a visit to edinburgh I checked out some places to have a pint on qype and this place came up. It is tucked away in a small court yard & wouldn't have found it if I wasn't looking. It is a very small bar in a small cellar but with a friendly atmosphere. Had a bowl of soup & toasted sarny with a pint and enjoyed it. Worth a visit, I would go back if up the royal mile.

Friendliest pub I was in while visiting Scotland. Half of the place is some kind of historical landmark so they literally can't change anything. Very cozy, and warm. Check out all the currency stapled to the ceiling and ask for some history on that. Amazing how much they've taken off the ceiling there and the fact that they are only missing two countries, so they say. They'll even show you a $10 trillion dollar note from Zimbabwe, worth something like 40c. I recommend the McEwan's, for those with high gravity American tastebuds, but the real ales are all great here. Didn't get into the whiskies because my map app wasn't working and my memory tends to fade with the sunlight... All in all, a lucky find!

This is a hidden gem with low key, excellent service with cozy fire place. We loved this place that we came back the last night in Edinburgh. Its reasonable and located in the small alley, that its gets enough people, but never too crowded or get bad service.

The Jolly Judge gets four stars because of what it has to offer as a package. Tucked immediately off the Royal Mile and down a set of stairs, it certainly gets its fair share of festivalling tourists, but you are also very likely to find smart locals who have decided to pop into town to take in the atmosphere and don't want to be crowded while they enjoy a pint. And indeed the pints are to be enjoyed - especially the special Stewart's Brewing "Festival Ale" that's on tap just now. Not only that, it's in a lovely (mostly) quiet courtyard space with outdoor seating for those rare warm sunny days. A respite from the crowds, the Jolly Judge is probably the festival's best hidden gem.

Love this pub! Here are the reasons: - its tiny and has an open fire - its dog friendly - it has out door seating - loads of people dont know its there, so in the festival it can be a welcome break from the crowds - they do great booze - the staff are friendly - you find a proper mixed bag of people here Whats not to like? :D

I have loved The Judge ever since I drunkenly stumbled across it looking for a shortcut to Princes Street one night. It's down an alley on the Royal Mile, one of many, but when you find it, you're laughing. It's a gorgeous little pub, that just *feels* right. There's a well stocked bar with a rotating choice of ales, well versed staff who offer advice and tasters where required, and a wide range of malts and the like. It's small and compact, but in the winter, it's absolutely perfect and toasty warm. A great place to set up camp for the night if you can get one of the tables, and a definite must stop place any time I'm in town.

I was pleasantly surprise when I entered the Jolly Judge. In my mind I was walking into somewhere that looked like the Halfway House, down towards Waverley, but not at all - this place has clean lines, comfy modern furniture and tasteful decor. It's as though Habitat never closed down. Small and friendly, a mix of tourists and locals, with limited food options but a reasonable range of drinks. Well worth a stop if you're up the top of the Mile.

My mum absolutely loves coming here every Sunday for their pub quiz....and you know what? So do I! Let's look at the facts....a seedy looking old-man's pub in the heart of tourist-land in Edinburgh - yeah, I wasn't too keen either. But I learnt my lesson...the same lesson I learnt that fateful night watching Susan Boyle on Britains Got Talent - never judge a book by its cover. Yeah it's a tradtional pub and yeah you can tell the clientele have been going there for years. When my mum and I first started going to the pub quiz we were greeted somewhat coldly, but once they realised we had no general knowledge and positively sucked at World Geography, we got a few more smiles. So, overall it's a brilliant pub and has a great quiz every Sunday. Look out for my mum and I in the corner, we'll be the ones making our way through the wine

My favorite Pub in Edinburgh. Outstanding and helpful service with a very nice selection of beer both local and general crafts. The St.Mungo from Glasgow is really quite nice. The gentleman handling the bar was both knowledgable and courteous and didn't treat me like a tourist. Their soups and toasties were perfect for a rainy afternoon!

This is exactly what a pub should be like. Walk down and alley, down some stairs and into a warm cozy basement where you want to sit back and drink all night. Dare I say it's one if the best pubs in Edingburgh.

The Jolly Judge is a great traditional little pub just off the Royal Mile. Inside it is cozy (warm) and welcoming, while for the nicer days there are picnic tables so you can enjoy the architecture of the courtyard and the rare scottish sun. There is a decent selection of draft drinks (real ale and craft lager) alongside a good range of spirits. Whilst just off the Royal Mile the Jolly Judge never feels like a tourist trap, prices are average and there is a mixture of locals and visitors. The only downside is that the Jolly Judge is a bit of a mobile black spot, though they do offer wireless which compensates for this somewhat. Overall this is simply a good pub.

I love this little pub. It has a great Scottish feel to it - lovely and cosy in the winter. The staff are very good too. It's an excellent place to pop into for a quick pint before going off to visit the Royal Mile.

I can cut through James Court in my backyard and pop into the Judge for a quick pint whenever I fancy -- no need to hit the Mile at all! Of course, the downside to this proximity is that drunk revelers can do the same, so that every Friday and Saturday night I go to sleep with the hoots and hollers of rowdy men in my ears. I can't hold it against them, though; the JJ is a great place to enjoy a few pints and plenty of banter. The bar staff aren't over friendly but that's just fine. It's a cozy little place without a hint of the tourist vibe that most places on the Royal Mile ooze.

Good beer, good whiskey, good people and an overall lovely time during both our stops into this tiny pub just off the Royal Mile. Down a narrow close, it is not frequented by tourists so it offers a lovely respite from the hustle and bustle of pubs and restaurants along the busy road. Cozy quarters inside, and a few tables outside, keep this pub a hidden gem within the city center.

Loved this place! As an out of towner it seemed like more locals were here--less touristy. It is a smaller pub so it does fill quickly, but we were really glad we got to have a drink here :)

This pub has a lot of charm. It is basically an olde place, done in a modern style. Narrow. Could get cramped, but if you get a seat, it is a spectacularly cosy place to kill some time. Enjoyed a very good pint of Kelburn's Tarten Army! Would like to have stayed longer. Their website doesn't do them justice in terms of beer range!

Great service, great location, and excellent food . Wasn't expecting much honestly because it was a small tavern with little seating inside but I was quite surprised !

A great take on the Scottish traditional pub! Drinks with no fuss, occassionally extremely busy but a must see while you're in town. Closed for refurbisment in late 2008. Ess

As the name promises you can spend here a jolly evening with your friends either in summer in a lovely little treasure of a backyard/court or on a cold day inside next to a heating fireplace. Charming stuff which make you feel comfortable, great choice of Ales, and atmospheric interior. Well done, Jolly Judge!

My fav. on the Royal Mile. It's well hidden inside Lady Stair's Close in front of Writer's Museum. It's tucked into a side wall and down some steps once you enter the Close from the Royal Mile. Not that many tourist here, or any drunken Stags or Hens acting like idiots. Very traditional and laid back, no loud music. You wouldn't know it was a pub from the outside either. 2 picnic tables in front and a plain white plastered wall with 2 plain windows are all you see, making it look more like an entrance to nice flat. A simple sign hangs out front. The customers spilled out into the Close, drinks in hand, standing & chatting in groups casually, something you couldn't do if the pub were on the main street. Inside is a treasure too. It's old wood beams crossing every 2 feet on the ceiling, painted on the spaces between the crossbeams, and a white, clean stucco wall with charming pastoral pictures hung around the place. The bar is narrow but long, accommodating around 60 people that night, and it was packed. The atmosphere isn't living room, and isn't modern chic, but it's warm and cozy without having cloying wood everywhere. (They have nice modern toilets above the bar, something unusual in a pub like this, I think.) They had Real Ale, cask ales, freshly hand cellar pulled as well as the regular swill. Overall, my favorite of all the bars in the immediate area.

On a fricking freezing midday walk down the Royal Mile from the Castle, we needed two things: a cheap lunch and warmth. We stumbled across this place and I'm really glad we did! It's a cosy, small little basement pub with a roaring fireplace and a handful of tables. I even managed to find a table next to a socket to charge my phone. Result! Their menu is very basic and cheap. It did the job. I ate a baguette with three fillings for about £3.50. Friendly and chilled mix of locals and tourists. The bartender was sweet. If you're trying to find this place, walk down the Royal Mile (from the Castle) and look for a signpost on the right hand side of the road. The pub is through a little alleyway in a tiny courtyard.

A wee gem of a pub which is easily overlooked due to it's location tucked away down an alley off the Royal Mile. The Jolly Judge is a basement pub with tables outside for the rare days when it is warm enough to go al fresco in Edinburgh! Inside,the pub is a long narrow shape featuring a very low ceiling with wooden beams. The atmosphere is extremely warm and cosy, I have never felt cold in here! This is one of the classic Edinburgh pubs and not to be missed!

A lovely little traditional Scottish pub -- beautiful low beamed ceilings, no music, muted carpeting and minimal decoration, extremely hospitable staff... During my week in Edinburgh I found myself here multiple times, it's just so terrifically cozy, I enjoyed about a dozen each of McEwan's 80, Tennent's Lager, and Belhaven's Best... A really great place to converse with good friends and waste away the day in a wonderfully serene atmosphere.

Ok so I finally went in to this pub to see what the hubbub was all about. I have to say I was impressed. It was my perfect style pub, quiet, off the beaten path away from the rat race of the fringe. Place was clean, had good service, and good drinks. Didnt get to busy either which is great. I love a pub that I can just go sit down, not have to listen to a crowd or have to yell just to speak to someone. Those places can be fun sometimes but for me I prefer a nice quiet area. This place did that for me. Go here not for the food as they have a very small menu but for a quick or long relaxing pint.

Can be hard to find... hidden through an allay off the Royal Mile or through a court yard and watch out for the leaking drain pipe near the entrance! Once instead it's a little gem of a place. It's small but perfect and not too big to get rowdy so you can't hear yourself speak on a Saturday night. There is a lovely fire so it gets real cosy. Just a cute wee typical Scottish pub really. Take a look at the clothes hooks on the wall too, I've often thought they look like funny wee octopuses ready for a fight?... but maybe that's just too many JDs?!

I've Yelped from in the Jolly Judge! I stopped in here on one of my Yelp fact finding missions to treat myself to a glass of white wine (I deserved it) and caught up with a couple of reviews of a few shops I'd popped into in the morning, notebook in hand. It is such a quaint little pub with massive beams that dominate the low ceilings of this place. With my glass of wine in hand, I did have a little problem making the internet work on my laptop, but one of the kind bar staff made it work for me with no hassles. It's only a couple of minutes away from the bustle of the Mile, yet when you're in it you feel a million miles away. If you need a quiet moment of reflection or rest after a day pounding the cobbled streets of the capital, then this is a cracking wee place to chill out (and even work from!)

Hyped in my tourist guide. Nice ambiance, but neither the beer nor the whisky collection impressed me (and frankly, I do expect that in Edinburgh). It even had a tv with sports on, was I back in the US?

We stopped in this pub, located in old town, for a couple of drinks. I loved the atmosphere, cozy and comfortable. It is unpretentious, with a good mix of locals and a few out of towners. I'll be back next time I visit Edinburgh.

Very neat pub, below ground and off the beaten path, so to speak. The name drew us in. Private and cozy. Great choices for whiskey and beer, but especially the whiskey. We didn't order food, but I'm sure you would do well.

beer, a book and my dog... a pretty perfect night if i do say so myself. i live, quite literally, around the corner from this place. it's also a stop on my favorite... edinburgh literary tour. it's got a fireplace. it's made from a ship. it's simply, heavenly.

Low ceilings, lots of wood, hidden in an alley off the Royal Mile.... despite its proximity to all the most touristy things in town, this place feels authentic. And despite its closeness to the university, there is seldom a student in sight. The Jolly Judge is a lovely little pub in which to enjoy a pint or two of real ale on a quiet evening. Not really a boisterous crowd here, at least on the nights I have been. But, sometimes, that's okay. Sometimes you just want a quiet pint in a place that feels, well, real.

This place is exactly what I was hoping for: a small, quiet pub. It's a great place to have a beer and a conversation. I went back a couple times.