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The pub’s story
The Broughton’s polished dining-pub identity sits over the former Phoenix’s performance history. A local-history survey places a spirit merchant at number 46 in 1900, without proving continuous pub use across today’s 46-48A frontage. Laughing Horse dates its Free Festival affiliation to 2011. Sam Roberts later described taking over the Phoenix in 2013. Peter Stubbs’s December 2014 photographs record panelled seating on an upper level; January 2015 captions identify the separate 48 Below basement. In June 2015, Roberts told Wikinews that noise complaints had stopped live gigs that March, prompting her licensing-policy petition. This was a dispute over performances, not evidence that the pub closed. The Phoenix reopened as The Broughton in autumn 2019 after refurbishment, with an upgraded menu. The operator credited its kitchen development with a Michelin Guide listing in 2021, not a star. Outside, gold lettering and broad windows frame the central entrance. The dining focus is recent, while the rooms carry a longer, more varied social history.
What to notice
- 01
Gold the BROUGHTON lettering runs across the dark-blue fascia.
- 02
The central entrance sits between two broad display windows.
- 03
PUBLIC HOUSE & EATERY appears on the right-hand frontage.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
A later local-history survey identifies a spirit merchant at 46 Broughton Street, the later Phoenix address.
Laughing Horse dates the Phoenix premises joining the Free Festival to this year.
Sam Roberts later described taking over the Phoenix in 2013.
Peter Stubbs photographed the Phoenix’s panelled upper-level seating, documenting its split-level interior before the later refurbishment.
Owner Sam Roberts reported that live gigs stopped following noise complaints, leading to her licensing-policy petition.
The Phoenix reopened as The Broughton after refurbishment, with an upgraded menu.
The Broughton entered the Michelin Guide, according to the operator's account in DRAM.
Sources & confidence
Local history, original photographs and contemporary reporting document the spirit-merchant site, festival affiliation, takeover, split-level interior, performance dispute and later refurbishment. Photographs establish what existed, not when it was installed or what survives. The 2015 performance account is the owner’s testimony, not a legal judgment. The 2021 Michelin claim concerns a Guide listing, not a star. Exact footprint origins and earliest licensed use remain unknown. The operator announced seven-day opening on 6 January 2025; its last dated schedule found was published on 7 November 2024. Friday-Sunday closing times remain unconfirmed. The premises coordinates and frontage are supported by mapped and photographic evidence.
Research reviewed
- Current identity, address, contact and visitor offer; ordinary hours only where explicitly statedVenue operatorofficial
SupportsCurrent identity, address, contact and visitor offer; ordinary hours only where explicitly stated.
- Exact pub node 1968533745 contains the recorded latitude, longitude, name, street and postcodeOpenStreetMap contributorsappearance
SupportsExact pub node 1968533745 contains the recorded latitude, longitude, name, street and postcode. Retained XML verifies the premises; stale hours and telephone tags are excluded.
- Organizer identifies this address and dates Free Festival participation under the Phoenix name to 2011Laughing Horse Free Festivalofficial
SupportsOrganizer identifies this address and dates Free Festival participation under the Phoenix name to 2011. Festival hours are excluded from ordinary bar hours.
- The importance of proofreadig, 29 December 2019Broughton Spurtleeditorial
SupportsContemporary report confirms former Phoenix reopened as The Broughton in autumn 2019, with refurbishment and upgraded menu. Complements retained October 2019 opening notice; no exact refit day or fabric-survival claim.
- Exterior image captured 1 August 2024: navy frontage, gold the BROUGHTON lettering, central entry and broad windowsEdinburghGuideappearance
SupportsExterior image captured 1 August 2024: navy frontage, gold the BROUGHTON lettering, central entry and broad windows.
- Spurtle 143, December 2006/January 2007, p. 2Broughton Spurtleeditorial
SupportsRoss MacLean summarises John Dickie's 1900/1996 address survey: Phoenix at 46 Broughton Street occupied a 1900 spirit-merchant address. Not proof of present 48A footprint, pub name or continuous licensed use.
- The Rocca Group serves up new appointments, 11 August 2021DRAM Scotlandeditorial
SupportsOperator Stefano Pieraccini credits Paul Barber's food work at The Broughton with securing its 2021 Michelin Guide listing. Award is listing, not star.
- Phoenix interior photographs, 18 December 2014 and January 2015Peter Stubbs / EdinPhotoarchive
SupportsOriginal photographer captions and inspected full photographs document panelled upper-level seating by 18 December 2014, dartboard and team shirt in January 2015; captions identify 48 Below basement. No construction date or claim these fittings survive the 2019 refit.
- Original interviews on Edinburgh live music, 25 June 2015Wikinewseditorial
SupportsOriginal interview with Phoenix owner Sam Roberts: her 2013 takeover, live gigs ceased in March 2015 after noise complaints and petition campaign. Attribute her account; not a legal ruling or permanent end of performances. Her 30-year tradition is not a verified 1985 opening date.
