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Before you visit
Happening Here
Karaoke
The Three Sisters · Cowgate / Old Town
21:00
Karaoke at The Three Sisters from 21:00.
Confirmed by The Three Sisters. View source. Checked .
The pub’s story
The Three Sisters at 139 Cowgate occupies the Category A former Tailors’ Hall, a place whose long building history is much better evidenced than its current name story. HES records the Incorporation of Tailors’ 1620 purchase, main hall completed in 1621, National Covenant approval there in 1638, a 1757 top floor, 1801 acquisition by Argyle Brewery, circa-1925 brewery conversion and later public-house/nightclub use. The operator's tale of three McKinnon sisters running a 1733 playhouse and being executed is an engaging house story; the consulted statutory record does not corroborate it, so it belongs to venue lore. Today it is a large courtyard-centred event bar, with separate live, sports and karaoke rooms. During the Fringe its format and capacity can change sharply. Visit for scale and activity; read the historic masonry as Tailors’ Hall, not proof of the current bar’s age.
What to notice
- 01
The Category A history belongs to the former Tailors’ Hall. Treat the 1733 McKinnon-sisters execution tale as uncorroborated operator lore.
- 02
The licence register uses 137-139 Cowgate while visitor-facing sources use 139; these identify the same venue, not separate bars.
- 03
It is family-friendly only until 20:00, with live music each evening and event-heavy Fringe operation. Official opening is 09:00-03:00 daily.
The time rail
The building, the pub and its interior may date from different periods. The timeline keeps documented dates separate from tradition.
Historic Environment Scotland records the Incorporation of Tailors acquiring land south of the Cowgate, then occupied by ruinous buildings.
The Incorporation completed the main Tailors’ Hall on the south side of the courtyard.
The draft National Covenant was approved in the Tailors’ Hall.
The operator says three McKinnon sisters turned the venue into a playhouse in this year; the consulted statutory record does not corroborate the people, date or story.
A top floor was added to the Tailors’ Hall.
Argyle Brewery acquired the Tailors’ property, except for one building the Incorporation retained.
The group of buildings was converted for use as a brewery, later functioning as a hotel.
139 Cowgate, Former Tailors’ Hall, was added to the statutory list at Category A.
The Three Sisters operates as a multi-room Cowgate bar with courtyard, live entertainment, sport and karaoke; Fringe operation is event-led and variable.
Sources & confidence
The official contact page supports current name, 139 Cowgate address and standard daily hours. The Free Fringe supports its current multi-space festival role; that seasonal positioning is not generalized into a permanent programming claim.
Research reviewed
- 139 Cowgate, Former Tailor’s Hall (LB28595)Historic Environment Scotlandheritage
SupportsCategory A designation; the Tailors’ 1620 acquisition, 1621 hall, 1638 National Covenant connection, 1757 top floor, 1801 Argyle Brewery acquisition, c.1925 conversion and subsequent public-house/nightclub use.
- About UsThe Three Sisters Barofficial
SupportsCurrent operator’s Three McKinnon sisters / 1733 playhouse and execution story. It is treated as venue lore because the consulted statutory building record does not corroborate it.
- ContactThe Three Sisters Barofficial
SupportsCurrent 139 Cowgate address, daily 09:00-03:00 hours, kitchen close, access, family and dog policies, music and sport information.
- The Live RoomThe Three Sisters Barofficial
SupportsCurrent live-room and karaoke use, with karaoke Sunday. Thursday from 21:00 and the operator’s statement that the space has Fringe-venue heritage.
- The Three SistersCampaign for Real Alespecialist
SupportsCurrent 139 Cowgate specialist pub record and the 2018 note that handpumps had been removed.
- The Three Sisters — PBH’s Free FringePBH’s Free Fringeeditorial
SupportsFestival-season performance use of the Cowgate venue; programme, rooms and capacity should be checked for the current Fringe rather than assumed year-round.
- Licensed Premises RegisterCity of Edinburgh Councilgovernment
SupportsCurrent licensed-premises entry for Three Sisters, Scotsman Group plc, 137-139 Cowgate, EH1 1JS; the operator visitor address is 139 Cowgate.
