'%20d='M32%203C16.4%203%206%2015.3%206%2031.2c0%2010.9%206.6%2020.1%2014.3%2026.2L32%2077l11.7-19.6C51.4%2051.3%2058%2042.1%2058%2031.2%2058%2015.3%2047.6%203%2032%203Zm0%2014c-8.8%200-14.5%207-14.5%2016.4V55h29V33.4C46.5%2024%2040.8%2017%2032%2017Z'/%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23C99B4A'%20d='m27.5%2055%204.5-24%204.5%2024h-9Z'/%3e%3c/svg%3e)
The pub’s story
Bramble is a modern cocktail bar in a discreet Queen Street basement, not a surviving Prohibition venue. The building belongs to an older story: HES dates 16 Queen Street to circa 1785, describes it as a former classical house and records Robert Paterson & Son’s 1884 remodelling. Bramble opened in 2006. In a 2024 interview, founders Mike Aikman and Jas Scott told Scottish Licensed Trade News that the unit had previously been a traditional pub; they removed its draught-beer equipment to concentrate on cocktails. A Guardian preview from June 2007 already described a tiny basement drawing the city’s bartenders. Drinks International placed Bramble at number 10 in its 2012 World’s 50 Best Bars list, evidence of modern trade recognition rather than older premises history. Time Out later described its speakeasy feel, but that is atmosphere: no reviewed source establishes Prohibition-era use. Today the official site publishes daily 4pm-1am hours and a walk-ins-only policy.
What to notice
- 01
Keep the dates attached to their phases: circa 1785 is HES's building date, 1884 is the property remodelling, and Bramble opened in 2006.
- 02
Speakeasy describes the modern basement mood, not a documented Prohibition-era use; the founders told Scottish Licensed Trade News that the unit was previously a traditional pub.
- 03
The official site says walk-ins only and 16:00-01:00 daily; those mutable details were checked 12 August 2026.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
HES dates the 16 Queen Street building to circa 1785.
HES records Robert Paterson & Son's remodelling of 16 Queen Street.
16 Queen Street with Railings was designated Category B as LB29540.
Scottish Licensed Trade News and Time Out date Bramble's opening to 2006.
The Guardian published a contemporary preview of the tiny Queen Street basement.
Drinks International ranked Bramble number 10 in The World's 50 Best Bars 2012.
Scottish Licensed Trade News published its founders interview recording Bramble's modern origin and former-pub unit.
Sources & confidence
Eight sources keep property, business and atmosphere separate. HES controls the circa-1785 building, 1884 remodelling and Category B record; its statutory title names 16 Queen Street, not Bramble or 16A. Trove's coordinates locate the broader property, not a surveyed entrance. The council dataset confirms a licensed Bramble premises at 16a. SLTN and Time Out date Bramble to 2006, with founder testimony identifying the unit's former traditional-pub use. The Guardian supplies contemporary 2007 evidence of the tiny basement and early bartender following. Drinks International's exact 2012 accolade is number 10. Speakeasy wording is retained only as modern atmosphere, not Prohibition history. Current phone, daily hours and walk-ins-only policy were checked on the official site on 12 August 2026.
Research reviewed
- 16 QUEEN STREET WITH RAILINGS (LB29540)Historic Environment Scotlandheritage
SupportsStatutory Category B identity and 3 March 1966 listing date for 16 Queen Street with Railings; circa-1785 former classical house; Robert Paterson & Son's 1884 remodelling; and New Town group context. The statutory title names 16 Queen Street, not Bramble or the 16A basement business.
- Edinburgh, 16 Queen StreetTrove, Historic Environment Scotlandarchive
SupportsNRHE place identity for 16 Queen Street and published latitude/longitude coordinates 55.95486, -3.19751, displayed with an OSGB36 - NGR datum. The point locates the broader Number 16 building record rather than a surveyed Bramble entrance, and this record is not independent of HES LB29540.
- BrambleBramble Bar & Loungeofficial
SupportsCurrent first-party Bramble and Bramble Bar & Lounge branding, 16a Queen Street address, EH2 1JE postcode, 0131 226 6343 telephone, daily 4pm-1am opening hours, walk-ins-only policy, cocktail-menu link and official HTTPS website. Mutable details were checked 12 August 2026.
- 58582 Licensed PremisesThe City of Edinburgh Councilgovernment
SupportsCouncil licensed-premises dataset row for Bramble, paired with Bramble Bars Limited at 16a Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JE. It supports the licensed-premises identity and address, not a historical opening date, former use or exact extent of listed fabric.
- Bramble founders focus on great drinks and service in a tough marketScottish Licensed Trade Newsspecialist
SupportsDated 13 August 2024 trade interview identifying founders Mike Aikman and Jas Scott, stating that Bramble opened in 2006, and recording that its Queen Street basement unit had previously been a traditional pub whose draught-beer equipment they removed. Founder testimony is attributed rather than treated as an older property record.
- PreviewThe Guardianeditorial
SupportsContemporary 30 June 2007 Bramble preview naming Mike Aikman and Jason Scott, describing the venue as a tiny Queen Street basement frequented by city bartenders, and publishing the 16A address and telephone. It documents the young modern venue, not the building's eighteenth-century use.
- The World's 50 Best Bars 2012Drinks Internationalspecialist
SupportsPrimary 2012 trade-ranking supplement placing Bramble, Edinburgh, at number 10 and identifying its 16A Queen Street basement. Its feature calls the venue inconspicuous and discusses speakeasy comparisons as contemporary atmosphere; it does not establish Prohibition-era premises history.
- Bramble Bar & Lounge | Bars and pubs in EdinburghTime Outeditorial
SupportsEditorial review dated 15 June 2016 describing Bramble as a discreet New Town basement cocktail bar that appeared in 2006 and had a speakeasy feel. The phrase is used only for modern atmosphere, while mutable visitor information comes from the current official site.
