History of The Bailie Bar

The Bailie has stood on St Stephen Street since the 1870s, when it first opened as the Grand Bar — a working man's spit and sawdust pub with no food, no frills, and a small jug bar at the side where women were permitted to drink. In 1971 Hamish Henderson bought the bar and renamed it The Bailie, apparently after a theatre production showing at the time — the advert still hangs on our walls today. The neighbourhood was dilapidated then, with plans to demolish St Stephen Street altogether, stopped only by the outrage of the antique dealers and small businesses who called it home. In the early 1980s the current owners took over, moved the beer cellar beneath the pavement and more than doubled the pub in size by buying the two adjoining basement properties — creating the restaurant, kitchen and toilets you see today. Other than a few televisions and adjustments for the 2006 smoking ban, very little has changed. No music, no fruit machines, no jukebox. Just banter, debate, and regulars who've been drinking here since the 1950s. There is also a famous photograph on the wall taken in 1973, showing the bohemian characters who frequented the pub through the late 60s and 70s — many of our existing regulars are in it. Come in and see if you can spot a familiar face.