At this end of Princes Street there is a junction of five roads and there several bars to visit. After leaving the gardens reach the corner and cross Lothian Road. On the opposite corner is the Huxley (formerly Rutland Bar) and to the right of it, in a converted church, is The Ghillie Dhu. The street is now Shandwick Place.

Looking across the road and to the right there are two roads intersecting together - Hope Street to the right and Queensferry St to the left - with the start of Shandwick Place. The Angel’s Share (formerly Hudsons) is on the Hope Street (right hand street), Ryan's Bar at the apex of the junction and across Broughton St (the left road) from Ryan's is HP Mather.

These first five bars are also the last five of trail 2. This makes it possible to link these two together into one long trail.

Around the corner and walking down Shandwick Place is The Grosvenor and back over on the left at a corner is The Fox and Faun (formerly Au Bar)

You are now in a large impressive crescent called Coates Crescent. Back track a little to the side road across Shandwick Place from the Au Bar. This is called Stafford St. Walk up this and take the first left into William St. Along here, opposite one another, are Teuchters and The Voyage of Buck (was Bert's Bar). Continue along William Street and turn left and walk back down to the middle of Coates Crescent.

There is now a short walk to the Mercat Bar still on the right-hand pavement and then, finally, on the opposite side of the road is The Haymarket. On the opposite junction, beside the station, is Ryries

These last two bars are also the first two of trail 2. This makes it possible to link these together into one long trail.

 The Huxley (formerly Rutland Bar) is a well designed curved room with booths and variety of styles of tables and chairs. Lots of tables for two. Music and lighting to relax to. Large windows to people watch at this busy junction. Food served.

Have a half pint here

heavy       :Deuchars, Bitter & twisted, Caledonia Best, Belhaven Best

lager         :Schiehallion,, Birra Moretta, Heineken, Carling, St Mungos

cider         : Strongbow                                              Guinness

 Ghillie Dhu is a converted church which has been floored to have a large function/band room upstairs and a large (church sized) 'public bar' at street level. There is a long serving area with plenty of standing room and long tall tables. Beyond that is a large seating/dining area, raised up a few steps, where music is also performed during the evening. Behind the bar there are further booths for four or snugs for bigger parties. The booths can be served through small hatches in the back bar. Food served.

Have a pint here

real ale    : Deuchars, Gillie Ale

heavy        :Caledonia Best

lager         :Tennent's, Starapramen

cider         : Magners                                                  Guinness

 The Angel's Share (formerly Hudsons) is the bar of a hotel. It is modern and very shiny. Low lights, low music and dining tables for two. Food served.

Have a half pint here

heavy       :Innes & Gunn, (only by the half pint), Belhaven Best,

lager         :Carlsberg, San Miguel, Heineken

cider         : Strongbow                                             Guinness

 Ryan's is a large round bar on a junction corner. It has a high ornate ceiling. There is a restaurant downstairs and a coffee bar in the right-hand curve.  Lots of tables close together (small & round seating 4 to give a cafe feel) and not a lot of standing room except at the bar. Outside seating along the road. Serves food.

Have one here

real ale    : Old speckled Hen, Deuchars, Bitter & Twisted, Stewarts 80/-

heavy        : Innes & Gunn, Belhaven Best

lager         :Tennent's, 1664, Carling, Heineken, Stella, Blue Moon,

                    Peroni

cider         : Strongbow                                                  Guinness

  HP Mathers is an old style bar which has retained its old bar charm - mainly men; some drunks; lots of chatter; three different sports on TV; a wooden floor where it is impossible to see the planks. The tall mirrored back gantry is great.

One of Scotland's Heritage pubs

Featured in Bob Steel's Edinburgh Pub Walks

Have a  pint here

real ale    : 6X, Deuchers, Flying Scotsman, West End cask

heavy       : Belhaven best,, McEwan's 70/-. John Smiths

lager         :Tennent's, Stella, Carlsberg

cider         :   Strongbow                                            Guinness

The Grosvenor serving area to the left is long and the drinking space narrow. To the right is a larger seating area with booths and tables.

Have a half pint here

real ale    : Deuchers

heavy       : Caledonia best,

lager         :Tennent's, Stella, 1664, Peroni, Stella Black

cider         : Aspall  , Weston'sWyld Wood real cider                                                                                                              Guinness

Au Bar (think chemical symbols!) ( now called The Fox and Faun). This is a long bar with seat & drinking area at front with serving bar. Beyond this is more for dining and then doors to beer garden.

Have one here

real ale     : Bitter & Twisted, Golden Amber, Foxy Blonde

heavy        : Caledonian Best

lager         : Tennents, Stella, Strap

 cider        : Brother's Pear                                                   Guinness

Teuchters  is a two room pub opened up. lots of seating and standing in front part where the attractive bar is. Further seating through to rear. Helpful staff. Gets packed

Featured in Bob Steel's Edinburgh Pub Walks

The Good Beer Guide (CAMRA) regular, including 2023, 2024

Have more here

real ale     : Deuchars, Red Rocker (Cromatory Brewery), Jarl, Landlord, Dark Munro

heavy        :Innis & Gunn Oak Aged, Belhaven Best, Brew Dog Punk

lager         : Amstel, Black Isle, Peroni, Weihenstephen, West 4

cider         :Magners, Blackthorn                                 Guinness

Bert's Bar (now called The Voyage of Buck) has tables to the left and then a thin bar with not much standing room. To the right is a large open room with seating. Staff were great. Gets busy.

Featured in Bob Steel's Edinburgh Pub Walks

Have more here

real ale     : Deuchars, Stewart Zymic, Mellow Yellow, Landlord,    Red Smiddy, William's Red, Schielhallion

heavy        :Joker, Caledonian Best

lager         : Tennent's, Stella Black

cider         :Magners, Blackthorn                                    Guinness

Mercat Bar is a small bar/diner successfully trying for the intimate style - Mood music and lighting, and large TV. Attracts the premium lager drinkers. Not much room at bar. It has a whisky bar and more tables downstairs.

Have half pint here

real ale     : Deuchers

heavy        : Belhaven Best

lager         : Tennent's, Stella, West 4, Kozel, Cruzcampo

 cider        : Aspall                                                 Guinness

The Haymarket is a large pub set on the apex of a Y-junction which gives it a more interesting shape inside. It is a Nicolson's pub - one of 7 in the city. There is a lot of room in it but it can be crowded at the bar. 12 pumps of real ale were available. There is more seating upstairs

Have a pint here

real ale    : Deuchars, Jack Black, Nicolson's Pale Ale, Carte Noir, Black Swan, Topaz Gold, Junga, 80/- Stewart

heavy       : John Smith, McEwan's 70/-

lager         : Tennent's, Carling, Peroni, San Miguel

cider         : Aspall                                             Guinness

Ryries Bar has recently reopened after refurbishment and is just outside Haymarket station. There is a long bar with a smaller sitting room beyond. Six pumps but only one on to sell real ale. Fridges were bare and some lager was off. It has an attractive public bar feel. Entrance doors a bit cramped, especially if smokers there.

Featured in Bob Steel's Edinburgh Pub Walks

One of Scotland's Heritage Pubs - CAMRA

CAMRA Good Beer Guide 2024, 2025

Have one here

real ale     :Orkney Best  (Swanney);  You Shall Not Pass  (Loch Lomond); Man O’Hoy (Orkney); Hurricane Jack (Fyne Ales);  Landlord;  Dark Island (Orkney)

Heavy/Pale Ale :Preserve;  Local Motive ;  Session IPA (Stewart);  Happy Chappy (Cromatory);  Caledonia Best

 Lager :Leith pils;  Staroperaman;   Estrella;  Tennent’s

 Cider            :Strongbow                  Guinness