Port O’Leith

  • port-o-leith-edinburgh

    The Port O'Leith pub in Leith, you'll never leave!

The Port O’Leith welcomes (piss) artists and artisans, but the biggest compliment you can pay ladylady Mary is that her pub is indisputably, but undefinably Leith.

It isn’t the exclusive domain of seafarers, past regulars have included David Mamet, Steven Berkoff and Irvine Welsh author of Trainspotting.

The anchor above the door broadcasts the maritime connection. Step inside and you are swamped with a sea of impedimenta adorning the walls. All manner of life is contained within which, come midnight, can resemble the Star Wars bar. But, that shouldn’t keep you away, it’s impossible to drink alone and even harder to leave sober.

The bevvy is cheap (or at least was last time I went) and it can get very lively on Friday and Saturday nights when it is open beyond midnight, maybe even later on Saturdays. This (in)famous historical pub well worth at least one visit.


Trailer for documentary film ‘The Port’ by Rory Alexander Stewart.

‘The Port O’ Leith’, one of Edinburgh’s most infamous pubs, has a distinct tradition fuelled by the stories of its tight-knit regulars. Filmmaker Rory Stewart grew up around ‘The Port’ and now works there alongside his father, allowing him unique access to make an intimate study of one the last true ‘Locals’.

Place Categories: Feature, Music, Pubs Nightlife and Videos.Place Tags: history, leith, maritime and pubs.

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1 review

  1. Profile pic

    Edinburgh LETS (Local Exchange Trading Scheme) - Site Admin, December 23, 2014 12:39 pm business - Port O’Leith
    5/5

    I fell into the mad, bad, Port O Leith one dim, dark, winter night and had a fantastic time. There was a first-rate live band that night, and even after they finished playing, the atmosphere was of one big party. Everyone was really friendly, the bar service was fast, and the convivial atmosphere warmed me to the very core. I have to say that it was one of the most memorable pub nights I’ve ever had in Edinburgh. I always go where the music takes me, and I hope it takes me back there sometime soon.

       -   Reply
    • Terry Rossell jr., May 15, 2015 9:32 am business - Port O’Leith

      I was wondering the planet 3000 plus miles away from northern Michigan when I found myself in a drinking stupor I stumbled into an adventure which still brings a smile even as life kicks me in the arse. After a while of people watching in the port o leith I got the urge to become a part of leith life and asked the spritely gray or pure white haired wan behind the bar if she would have any need of me. When she heard my ascent mrs Moriarty offered this big yank a job and a shooting new star was set ablaze in this amazingly unreal Brigadoon. It still after all these years seems a wonderful dream. I still cannot explain the connection I feel to this tiny piece of real estate on constitution street and to that lovely ageless woman.

         -   Reply
      • Profile pic

        Editor - Site Admin, May 15, 2015 1:39 pm business - Port O’Leith

        Nice post Terry, thank you 🙂

           -   Reply

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