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The pub’s story
The Rose & Crown occupies the ground floor of 170 Rose Street, a Category B corner tenement dating to around 1790. Edinburgh Council’s cultural assessment is clear that the late-eighteenth-century significance is principally in the exterior and New Town streetscape; it does not establish the age of today’s business or its fittings. The current pub trades as a food, whisky and live-music stop, advertising music seven days a week. One documented episode in the building’s recent visual history is a 2015 Tennent’s mural on the gable shared in coverage with the Shoogly Peg: it was reportedly commissioned, then required to be covered after the council said consent was needed for listed buildings. That makes this a traditional-looking, entertainment-led Rose Street pub in historic fabric, not a proven eighteenth-century tavern. It works as a lively, central music stop; use its live listings for a specific act and expect the bar to be busiest later in the day.
What to notice
- 01
The circa-1790 history belongs to the listed tenement and streetscape, not a proven continuous Rose & Crown business.
- 02
Live music is advertised every day, but check the current listing for a particular performer or set time.
- 03
The operator says ‘until late’; exact 01:00 closes are independently listed, so recheck before a very late visit.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
The City Council dates the 170 Rose Street corner tenement to around 1790, with later alterations and a public bar at ground floor.
Tennent’s and the bars’ owner commissioned a mural on the Rose & Crown and Shoogly Peg gables, according to contemporary Scotsman coverage.
The Scotsman reported that the City Council said the mural needed permission because the buildings were listed and would have to be covered.
The operator published a current food-menu document for the Rose & Crown at 170 Rose Street.
The operator advertises the Rose & Crown as a current food, whisky and live-music venue with music seven days a week.
Sources & confidence
The Rose & Crown’s official site establishes its current Scottish pub, food, drinks and music identity. CAMRA confirms the current layout and former Cat & Bagpipes name. No strong source establishes an opening date, so none is invented.
Research reviewed
- Rose & CrownRose & Crown Edinburghofficial
SupportsCurrent 170 Rose Street identity, daily live-music claim, food/whisky offer and opening-time wording.
- May Menu 2025Rose & Crown Edinburghofficial
SupportsDated 2025 operator menu material for the current Rose Street venue.
- Princes Street Cultural Significance AssessmentCity of Edinburgh Councilgovernment
SupportsCategory B, circa-1790 building, later alterations, ground-floor public bar and external New Town significance at 170 Rose Street.
- Iconic Tennent’s mural on Edinburgh pubs meets untimely endThe Scotsman Food and Drinkeditorial
Supports2015 mural commission and reported City Council consent/covering requirement for the Rose & Crown and Shoogly Peg.
- Rose & CrownYelleditorial
SupportsIndependent current address, contact and 11:00-01:00 daily hours listing; the operator website itself says only ‘until late’.
- List of licensed premisesCity of Edinburgh Councilgovernment
SupportsCouncil licensed-premises cross-check for the Rose & Crown.
