Milnes Bar is one of Edinburgh's most historic and characterful pubs, established in 1910 on the corner of Rose Street and Hanover Street, and famous as the city's "Poets' Pub" where Scotland's greatest 20th-century writers gathered. If you are a student who wants to live near the New Town's legendary pubs and Rose Street's bars, browse Student Accommodation in Edinburgh for central options, then read on for the story behind Milnes and why it is worth a visit. This guide covers the pub's literary history, the Little Kremlin, its food and drink, and its location.
Milnes Bar at a glance
| Item | Details |
| Name | Milnes Bar |
| Established | 1910 |
| Address | 35 Hanover Street, corner of Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PJ |
| Famous as | The "Poets' Pub" |
| Literary regulars | Hugh MacDiarmid, Norman MacCaig, Sorley MacLean |
| Signature feature | The basement "Little Kremlin" bar |
| Known for | Cask ales, Scottish whiskies, traditional pub food |
Milnes Bar: the Poets' Pub
Milnes Bar earned its enduring nickname, the "Poets' Pub", in the 1950s and 1960s, when it became the gathering place and arguably the centre of the Scottish Literary Renaissance. Its regulars read like a roll-call of Scottish literary greats: Hugh MacDiarmid, Norman MacCaig, Sorley MacLean, George Mackay Brown and others met here to debate poetry and politics over pints, and distinguished visitors included Dylan Thomas and W.H. Auden. The literary energy was so intense that the basement snug was dubbed the "Little Kremlin" for its political fervour. Artist John Bellany was also a regular in the early 1980s. My tip: Milnes is a genuine piece of Scottish cultural history, so soak up the literary heritage on the walls, it is one of the few pubs where you are drinking where the country's greatest poets once did.
The Little Kremlin and the interior
Milnes was created from two former pubs and spreads over two levels with a warren of rooms and alcoves, extensive dark-wood panelling, and old photographs of Edinburgh throughout. The basement "Little Kremlin" bar is the pub's signature space, named for the left-leaning political discussions of the poets who drank there. For years the walls held literary portraits with poems beneath them, part of what made Milnes a living monument to the Rose Street poets. My tip: head downstairs to the Little Kremlin for the most atmospheric seats in the pub, it is where the literary legend was really made.
Food and drink at Milnes
Milnes Bar serves an array of cask ales, global craft beers and dozens of single-malt Scottish whiskies, alongside a menu of traditional British pub fare. Popular dishes include the steak pie, fish and chips, haggis dishes (including a haggis burger) and salmon fishcakes, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available, and there is a beer garden for warmer days. The pub also shows major sport and hosts live music. My tip: try a Scottish cask ale or a single malt to match the setting, and the fish and chips has a strong local reputation.
Location: Rose Street and the New Town
Milnes sits on the corner of Rose Street and Hanover Street in the heart of the New Town, a short walk from Princes Street, the National Galleries at the foot of the Mound, and Edinburgh Castle. Rose Street itself is a narrow, pedestrian-friendly street famous for its many pubs, the setting for the legendary "Rose Street Challenge" pub crawl, and full of characterful bars and independent shops. My tip: Milnes is the perfect starting point for exploring Rose Street's historic pubs, and its central location makes it easy to reach from anywhere in the city centre. See our guide to the best restaurants in Edinburgh to build a full night out around it.
FAQs
Q: Where is Milnes pub in Edinburgh?
A: Milnes Bar is at 35 Hanover Street, on the corner of Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PJ, in the heart of the New Town, a short walk from Princes Street and the foot of the Mound.
Q: Why is Milnes called the Poets' Pub?
A: Milnes earned the nickname in the 1950s and 1960s as the gathering place of the Scottish Literary Renaissance, with regulars including Hugh MacDiarmid, Norman MacCaig and Sorley MacLean debating poetry and politics there.
Q: What is the Little Kremlin at Milnes Bar?
A: The Little Kremlin is Milnes' basement bar, named for the left-leaning political discussions of the poets who drank there. It is the pub's most atmospheric and historic space, spread over dark-wood-panelled rooms.
Q: When was Milnes Bar established?
A: Milnes Bar was established in 1910, making it over a century old. It was created from two former pubs and retains extensive dark-wood panelling and old photographs of Edinburgh.
Q: What food and drink does Milnes serve?
A: Milnes serves cask ales, global craft beers and dozens of single-malt whiskies, plus traditional pub food like steak pie, fish and chips and haggis dishes, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options and a beer garden.
Q: Is Milnes Bar good for students?
A: Yes, it combines genuine literary history with a central Rose Street location, good-value traditional food, and a great atmosphere, making it a memorable and characterful spot for a night out in the New Town.
