The White Horse
- Telephone 0131 557 3512
- Bar open Sun–Thu noon–11pm; Fri/Sat noon–midnight. Extended in Fest
- Food served Mon–Sun noon–9pm
- Average price £10 (lunch); £10 (evening meal)
Jump to times, videos or comments (6)
The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.
With Boswell and Johnston supposedly meeting here, The White Horse has pedigree and 250 years on it remains popular with a diverse clientele. The stone walls provide some historic character but friendly bar staff and comfy seats contribute more to the ambience of the fairly simple interior. The selection of drinks is short but well chosen: there is a handful of interesting whiskies and Glasgow’s WEST lager makes a welcome change to the more ubiquitous brands. Food is basic but cheap: the stovies and steak pies are good choices, but the nachos could do with more toppings. A pint, burger and stand-up comedy in the back room for £6 on Tuesday nights provides particularly good value.
- High point: A friendly and down to earth alternative to its touristy neighbours
- Low point: Food is serviceable rather than exciting
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 8
- Provides: Live music, Free wi-fi
- Music on stereo: Folk, jazz, R&B, classic rock
- Capacity: 50
- Open since: 2010
- House wine: £12.25 per bottle
Event times
Burger, Beer and Comedy Night
A burger, a beer and some delicious comedy – what more could you want? Hosted by Rick Molland.
Tue 4 Jun
£6 (comedy only £1) / 0131 557 3512
Produced by www.flixity.tv
Comments & ratings
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6.
C S – 26 Oct 2012, 5:25pm
The White Horse
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One of my favorite bars in Edinburgh, a fantastic back room, nice beer selection and of the bars in that area is head in shoulders above in my opinion.
Go just to chill out in the back room...or hire it...for free!
- 5. Amused – 26 Aug 2012, 10:28pm Report
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Totally disgusted and disappointed with the service received at The White Horse Bar! We ordered their Nachos and discovered that a portion of the Nachos was too salty. We informed the waiter of this... and he immediately offered us a refund. We felt that since we had eaten the Nachos, a refund would not be appropriate. We suggested a drink on the house instead of a refund and the manager refused... even though a refund had been offered and told us that she was the senior here and her word was final! Sad thing is that we were regulars there...!!
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4.
warren evans – 7 Jul 2012, 8:57pm
The White Horse
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saw this really cool cosy little bar on the Royal Mile and decided to take my girlfriend and her two children. We were accepted warmly and invited into the ex stable room at the rear were we were allowed to have food and drink and entertain the childred up untill 8.00pm. Overall rating excellent, we will be back.
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3.
MrsMac – 12 Apr 2012, 4:32pm
The White Horse
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I booked the above establishment for a private party, but was a little worried after the previous reviews, but went ahead anyway - the room was free to hire, so why not? I found the staff friendly helpful and very accomodating. We brought along our own DJ and this was no problem. I have a great night and the food and drinks were great. The Simple Simon pies and mash are fab and so is the mac and cheese! Maybe there was some teething problems when it first opened, but since my birthday, two of my friends have also held events there, a hen night and a 40th. A great cosy pub with a warm and friendly atmosphere.
- 2. seon – 27 Jul 2011, 4:24pm Report
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Shame that this is another auld traditional pub gone. It seems as if it came under 'new' management a few months ago and is radically different from the ordinary down to earth pub it always was. I can remember the old Tron as it was before it was turned into a plastic student/ tourist bar. This is a bit more arty but is miles from the authentic place it used to be.
Do tourists just want to see plastic Scotland?
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1.
Squire – 26 Jul 2011, 10:51pm
The White Horse
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I love the White Horse's décor. It genuinely looks cool and appealing. It's exactly the sort of place that I'd love to go for a drink more often and become a real regular. However at present the customer service and the food are badly letting the side down.
Came here for lunch with a few pals. One of the bar staff, charitably, has not found his vocation in his present employment. He made it clear that he does not enjoy the customers, giving off a disdainful attitude and answering queries in an awkward, roundabout way. I'm sure he's thinking that he's being funny but the only person who could possibly be amused is himself. I myself work in customer service. Some people in the business take pride in their role and how they can help others. Others just do the job as they can't get anything else, which is likely the situation for this poor chap. This guy is not a happy camper.
The worst thing, however, was the food. A number of the dishes we ordered were hot and cooked on one side and ice cold and uncooked on the other. Imagine happily tucking your way through a nice lamb moussaka to then take in in a shockingly cold mouthful ! Wisely we left our plates half eaten. As you can well understand no one quite had the stomach to tell the bar man about this, given his distaste for human interaction. Also one of our orders was forgotten about for a good 15 minutes and we had to remind/ re-order again.
My pals were from outside Edinburgh and I was embarrassed by this all. They were all so keen on the place upon first impression. Shame.
By just changing these bad aspects the White Horse could be the great pub it almost is. Sincere best of luck.
Average rating /5 from 4 reviews of The White Horse.
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