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The pub’s story
Montpeliers Bruntsfield occupies 159-161 Bruntsfield Place within a sandstone terrace begun in 1882 to designs by Hippolyte Jean Blanc. The Caterer dates the bar's opening to 1992, by David and Ruth Wither with Rob and Wendy Elliott. A major June 2014 refit moved the entrance to the left and the bar towards the rear. Another refurbishment took place in February 2024, with Jim Hamilton and Wendy Elliott credited for the design. Pale sage-green paint and gold lettering on the glass sit beneath a striped awning. The words MONTPELIERS, EST. 92 and BRUNTSFIELD connect the glazing to the bar's identity. Above the shopfront, the terrace's canted bays and gableheads give the street its repeating stone profile. The venue publishes daily opening from nine in the morning until one after midnight.
What to notice
- 01
Gold MONTPELIERS and BRUNTSFIELD lettering appears on sage-green-framed glazing.
- 02
A black-and-white striped awning projects above the pavement seating.
- 03
Canted bays and gableheads rise in the sandstone terrace above the bar.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
Hippolyte Jean Blanc's sandstone terrace, including the present venue frontage, was built.
The terrace including the venue premises was listed at Category B.
The Caterer dates the Bruntsfield bar opening by the Withers and Elliotts to this year.
A major refit moved the entrance and bar and changed the room arrangement.
A further refurbishment refreshed Montpeliers, reported complete in March.
Sources & confidence
Five meaningful milestones and current official daily 09:00-01:00 hours are supported. New independently photographed sage frontage complements the saved PUREspa image: the complete left named fascia/bay and adjacent doorway are suitable for a bounded portrait, not an invented wholebuilding view. Capture date remains unknown despite 2025upload. HES 1882 terrace date remains authoritative over the rejected 1830s claim; old dark-frontage images remain excluded.
Research reviewed
- Current venue identity, public visitor offer and contact detailsMontpeliers Bruntsfield operatorofficial
SupportsCurrent Montpeliers Bruntsfield identity at 159-161 Bruntsfield Place, 0131 229 3115; ordinary daily 09:00-01:00.
- Exact premises identity/address, specialist description and practical cross-checkCAMRA Edinburgh and SE Scotlandspecialist
SupportsSame address, phone and daily bar schedule; food 09:00-22:00 is separate. Last updated 2021, so practical corroboration only. Montpelier Partnership freehold does not prove current operating company.
- Statutory LB26861 building and listing accountHistoric Environment Scotlandgovernment
SupportsLB26861 includes 155-195 odd Bruntsfield Place: Hippolyte Jean Blanc terrace begun 1882, curved sandstone frontage, canted bays/gableheads at 155-165. Category B listed 12 December 1974. Whole-terrace designation, not a precise pub point.
- 21 February 2013 retrospective career profile dates Bruntsfield Montpeliers Bar and Brasserie opening to 1992 by David/Ruth Wither and Rob/Wendy ElliottThe Caterereditorial
Supports21 February 2013 retrospective career profile dates Bruntsfield Montpeliers Bar and Brasserie opening to 1992 by David/Ruth Wither and Rob/Wendy Elliott.
- 25 June 2014: early-June refit moved entrance left and bar rear, enlarged panes and added snug/raised dining areaDRAM Scotlandeditorial
Supports25 June 2014: early-June refit moved entrance left and bar rear, enlarged panes and added snug/raised dining area. Operator 1830s shell assertion conflicts with HES and is rejected.
- 4 March 2024 report: February refit completed, Jim Hamilton/Wendy Elliott credited by Innes Bolt; four-day duration is attributedDRAM Scotlandeditorial
Supports4 March 2024 report: February refit completed, Jim Hamilton/Wendy Elliott credited by Innes Bolt; four-day duration is attributed.
- Inspected image served from July 2025 asset path: pale sage-green frontage, striped awning, gold MONTPELIERS/ESTPURE Spa UK partner photographappearance
SupportsInspected image served from July 2025 asset path: pale sage-green frontage, striped awning, gold MONTPELIERS/EST.92/BRUNTSFIELD glass lettering. Current partner crop, capture date unknown; full width not proved.
- Exact node 368877716 carries premises name, address, latitude and longitudeOpenStreetMap contributorsappearance
SupportsExact node 368877716 carries premises name, address, latitude and longitude. Retrieved HTTP 200 and plotted within building footprint. Hours/contact tags are not adopted.
- 22 best festive decorations and lights in Edinburgh, item22Flying Scots Girlappearance
SupportsInspected IMG_3145-1.jpg: current-style sage frontage, complete left MONTPELIERS fascia/bay and adjacent doorway; Christmas decor obscures lower glazing. Upload2025, capture unknown. Corroborates PUREspa; not full building width.
