Regent Bar — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

One of my favourite pubs in my east Edinburgh neighbourhood is the fabulous gay real ale bar The Regent.

If you don’t like gay people, great beer and dogs, then number 1: stop reading this review, because I have no interest in writing for you. Number 2: you won’t like The Regent.

If, however, you think all three are great, then haste yerself up Regent Road in Abbeyhill. I once painted a feature wall in a bedroom the same shade of teal as The Regent’s frontage, because I love this pub so much.

Inside, there’s a horseshoe bar, and two sitting areas, with a range of table sizes. I’ve been in here on my own to read, and in groups of 20 to party, and the staff couldn’t be lovelier whoever you are. Very welcoming to dogs, but children can only come in if they’re over five and having a meal – an interesting vagary of the licensing laws.

There’s a great range of beers – enough for The Regent to win CAMRA Edinburgh’s Pub of the Year award a few times. Edinburgh stalwart Deuchars IPA is always on tap, although I tend to favour one of the many fruit ciders available by the bottle. The last time I was in a few weekends ago on a flying visit to Edinburgh I sampled McEwan’s new Red. Probably won’t be doing that again.

The menu is short but decent – The Regent’s nachos are the best in Edinburgh. There’s books and boardgames, a frequent quiz night, and lots of information about the LGBT scene in Edinburgh. I’m reliably informed there’s free condoms in the men’s toilets.

So. Books, beer, dogs, friendly crowd, and an old gymnastics horse to perch on outside the toilets. What more could you...

As someone who hasn’t come out of her “shell”, so to speak, I couldn’t have been met with such warmth, and welcome. The bartenders are kind, hospitable and they take cleanliness seriously. They provide a gentle atmosphere in which you are not demanded to be anything or anyone which I have struggled with in other places. This pub is truly LGBT friendly, all letters and otherwise included. The Regent does not just offer quality lager, but a good standard of ales, nibbles (I rate the olives!) and a decent variety of Scotch Whisky (my thanks for having my favourite, Dalwhinnie). They also offer coffee and soft drinks at a very reasonable price. It is a wee bit outside the centre of Edinburgh, especially for tourists, but it is such a straightforward and safe route there and back. Once you recognise the route, it’s very easy and comfortable. I travelled to Edinburgh for two days, and I deliberately sought an LGBT pub as I have never had the opportunity to come across them. I came back here twice. My thanks to the staff for their welcome. This place is perfect whether you are travelling solo, on your first date, or need to relax after work. I hope to...

Nice enough gay bar but completely unremarkable in every way. It was pretty dead when we arrived around 10:30-11 PM. Probably because it closes so freaking early. 12AM for a gay establishment on the weekend? And one that is a far travel away from anywhere else? Interesting choice. It's nothing particularly amazing but I guess it's fine to grab a pint, if you don't mind spending more than necessary and you're already in the area.

Maybe it's better on a busy night, although I'm not sure it ever does because a Saturday night should be prime time. No real vibes. My single friend was quite disappointed that there were no other lesbians there, let alone any other 20 or 30-something women. Just men. And, honestly, it seemed like the barman only cared about serving men anyway. I can kinda see why there were no other women there. Not much to draw them. We can be ignored in any regular pub just as easily... and for cheaper!

Personally, I was sad to see such anti-dog attitude. Atmosphere would definitely have been improved had a cute dog been there.

Expected a bit more for the journey. Especially a Saturday night during Pride month. Didn't seem...