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The pub’s story
Regent Bar occupies a prominent corner at Montrose Terrace and presents itself as LGBT+ and straight-friendly. Local pub history places the present Regent's opening in 2003 and recalls the earlier Regent Buffet at the same address. The turquoise frontage wraps around the ground floor, with the name set beside tall windows and a central corner entrance. Inside, sofas, low music and an emphasis on conversation shape the room more than a nightclub atmosphere. Three cask ales, a cask cider and fourteen other taps span local and international drinks. Tabletop games, local art and a regular Bear Scots gathering add to the pub's community role. It remains a clearly identified queer venue without presenting itself as exclusive, and its daily 16:00 to midnight hours are unusually simple to remember.
What to notice
- 01
The turquoise frontage turns the corner and places the entrance between two runs of tall windows.
- 02
Music is deliberately kept low so that the room works for conversation rather than club volume.
- 03
The bar combines three cask ales and a cask cider with fourteen taps for other beers and ciders.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
The Regent Buffet is remembered at the address during this period.
Alan Joy and Colin are remembered as opening the Regent Bar as an LGBT+ and straight-friendly pub.
An Edinburgh Pub of the Year award was presented at the Regent.
The bar closed as pandemic restrictions began.
The Regent reopened at 16:00.
Sources & confidence
The operator and CAMRA agree on the current identity, address, telephone, daily hours, inclusive positioning and relaxed character. The reported 2003 opening, earlier Regent Buffet and 2020 closure and reopening come from one specialist local-history chain; LGBT History UK cites that account and is not independent corroboration. OpenStreetMap fixes the position.
Research reviewed
- HomeThe Regent Barofficial
SupportsCurrent identity, address, telephone, daily hours, LGBT+ positioning, beer offer, reservations, events and house character.
- Regent, EdinburghCampaign for Real Alespecialist
SupportsCurrent identity, former Regent Buffet name, daily hours, January 2026 survey, cask range, atmosphere and dated exterior photograph.
- History of the Regent Bar, EdinburghThomas Hoskyns Leonardeditorial
SupportsAttributed account of the Regent Buffet, reported 2003 opening, March 2020 closure and August 2020 reopening.
- Regent BarLGBT History UKspecialist
SupportsDerivative summary that cites the Leonard history; useful for discovery but not independent corroboration of the reported 2003 opening.
- Regent map recordOpenStreetMapappearance
SupportsMapped identity, address and coordinates at Montrose Terrace.
