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The pub’s story
The Bailie sits below pavement level at the corner of St Stephen Street and Kerr Street. Its curved iron arch, descending steps and black frontage make the entrance easy to spot. The operator traces the business to the 1870s, when it traded as the Grand Bar, and dates the Bailie name to 1971. The pub expanded into adjoining cellars during the 1980s. Inside, CAMRA records a large island bar, a Victorian print above the fireplace and a dining area beside the main bar. The open fire is a winter feature rather than decorative scenery. Current listings support four cask lines, a Tuesday quiz, live music on Friday and food every day. The historical sequence comes mainly from the venue itself, so the early dates are presented as its account rather than independent fact.
What to notice
- 01
The entrance is down steps from pavement level and CAMRA reports no step-free route or accessible toilet.
- 02
Look for the island bar and the Victorian print above the fireplace once inside.
- 03
Tuesday quiz and Friday live music are current regular events, but busy evenings are worth checking before travel.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
The operator says the premises opened as the working man’s Grand Bar.
The operator dates the change of name from the Grand Bar to The Bailie to this year.
The venue says new owners extended the pub into adjoining cellars and more than doubled its size.
A photographed visit recorded the basement layout, central bar, red seating, open fire and traditional fittings.
CAMRA published a current photographic record of the bar interior.
CAMRA surveyed the pub and updated its current visitor information, food times and programme.
Sources & confidence
The current venue site establishes identity, contact details, programme, food times and the operator’s account of the Grand Bar, the 1971 renaming and the 1980s expansion. CAMRA’s August 2026 record independently supports the present layout, facilities, hours and events, although its Sunday opening differs from the official page. A dated 2014 visit supplies independent interior observations. Licensing and map records confirm the premises and location. The early history remains attributed because the checked sources repeat the venue account rather than supplying contemporary records.
Research reviewed
- The Bailie: homeThe Bailieofficial
SupportsCurrent identity, address context, events, food times and standard opening hours.
- The Bailie: historyThe Bailieofficial
SupportsOperator account of the Grand Bar, the 1971 name and the 1980s cellar expansion.
- Bailie, EdinburghCampaign for Real Alespecialist
SupportsCurrent address, phone, interior, accessibility, cask offer, events and a conflicting Sunday opening time.
- The Bailie Bar, St Stephen StreetEdinburgh Pubseditorial
SupportsDated independent visit and photographic evidence of the basement interior and frontage.
- Licensed premises dataCity of Edinburgh Councilgovernment
SupportsLicensed premises identity and St Stephen Street address.
- The Bailie map featureOpenStreetMapappearance
SupportsMapped position and coordinates at the St Stephen Street and Kerr Street corner.
