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The pub’s story
Platform 5 is a modern Haymarket pub, not a heritage building. Belhaven took a vacant ground-floor retail unit in early 2014, refurbished it over four months and opened the pub on 1 May. Its name refers to the four platforms at Haymarket, a deliberately light travel theme for a site opposite the station. The pub was designed for hotel guests, commuters, workers and matchgoers rather than as a traditional local. CAMRA’s later record confirms the two-level contemporary layout, glazed station views, terrace and fluctuating cask-ale provision. Current official and council records place Platform 5 at 8 Clifton Terrace. It is a useful arrival or departure pint, sports stop and practical Haymarket base, rather than a historic-interior destination.
What to notice
- 01
The name is a deliberate Haymarket-station reference. There were four platforms when the pub opened, rather than a claim to an historic fifth platform.
- 02
Choose the front glazing or terrace for station views; use the quieter upper level when you want less of the sport-screen focus.
- 03
The cask line has changed recently, so check the handpump rather than expecting a fixed beer list.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
Belhaven took a 25-year lease on a vacant retail unit at the accommodation-only Tune Hotel and began a four-month refurbishment.
Platform 5 opened as a Belhaven managed pub at 8 Clifton Terrace.
The opening report explained the name as a nod to Haymarket’s four platforms and the pub’s travel theme.
CAMRA published an exterior record of Platform 5, confirming its current-name presence at Haymarket.
CAMRA recorded a temporary removal of real ale from the handpumps because of poor sales.
CAMRA reported that real ale had returned, with one cask beer available at a time.
Platform 5 remains a licensed Greene King/Belhaven pub at 8 Clifton Terrace with the operator’s current weekly schedule.
Sources & confidence
Contemporary licensed-trade reporting supplies the 2014 lease, investment, launch and naming history. CAMRA documents the later layout, current-name evidence and changing cask-ale status. The operator and City of Edinburgh licensed-premises register support the current venue and address.
Research reviewed
- Platform 5 pulls in to HaymarketScottish Licensed Trade Newseditorial
SupportsEarly-2014 lease and refurbishment, 1 May 2014 opening, £1.2m investment, name origin and original visitor focus.
- #268: Platform 5, Haymarket Terrace, EdinburghEdinburgh Pubseditorial
SupportsIndependent August 2014 visit describing the new pub’s ground-floor hotel-unit setting and contemporary interior.
- Platform 5, HaymarketBelhaven / Greene Kingofficial
SupportsCurrent 8 Clifton Terrace identity, operator offer and published weekly hours.
- Platform 5, EdinburghCampaign for Real Alespecialist
Supports2018 exterior record, two-level layout, station view, terrace, contemporary facilities and the 2025 cask-ale updates.
- Licensed premises registerCity of Edinburgh Councilgovernment
SupportsCurrent licensed-premises entry for Platform 5 at 8 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5DR.
