The Bow Bar — Edinburgh

Pub · Edinburgh

The Bow Bar

4.6 (2,680 reviews)
££ 📍 80 W Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2HH

About The Bow Bar

Tucked just off Victoria Street, this is an old-fashioned Edinburgh drinking den — narrow tables, wood-panelled cosiness, a slow shuffle of people to watch through the window — and it works better for a family pit-stop than you'd expect. There are high chairs, buggy access and a kids' menu, and the pie menu is short but the pies are good; regulars are blunt that food isn't the point here. The staff are the real draw: patient, genuinely knowledgeable about the hundreds of whiskies behind the bar, happy to let you sniff a few before you commit, and just as warm with dogs and children. Prices are reasonable for such a touristy spot. Do come early — it's small, it fills fast, and one parent notes the beers run warm by design, not by accident.

Kid-friendly features

🍽️
Kids menu ✓ Likely
🪑
Highchairs ✓ Likely
🛻
Buggy friendly ✓ Yes
🥦
Vegan options ✓ Likely
🌾
Gluten free ✓ Likely
🔊
Noise level Lively
📅
Booking Walk-ins welcome
👶
Best for All ages

Tags

#bar#pub
Something wrong or out of date? Suggest an edit →
Three Family Friendly UK Restaurant Activity Packs spread across a table — colouring, drawing and origami pages for kids.

The Free Restaurant Activity Packs Your Table Will Love

A little something creative for your next meal out. Filled with colouring, simple drawing prompts for cute animals, origami and conversation starters designed to bring more play, laughter and connection to the table. 3 free printable packs for toddlers, preschoolers and primary-aged children.

  • Colouring
  • Origami
  • Drawing lessons
  • Table questions

You might also like

Mariachi Restaurant ££
Mexican Edinburgh

Mariachi Restaurant

Bright, lively Victoria Street Mexican with a kids' menu, high chairs, patient allergy-aware staff and fresh nachos and tacos — book ahead.

✓ Kids menu (likely) ✓ Highchairs ✓ Outdoor space ✓ Buggy friendly (likely) ✓ Vegan options ✓ Gluten free (likely) 🔊 Lively atmosphere 👨‍👩‍👧 Great for all ages Booking recommended
Little Inn Cafe £
Cafés Edinburgh

Little Inn Cafe

A budget-friendly Edinburgh café with outdoor seating — an easy, low-key stop for a coffee and a bite with the kids.

✓ Kids menu (likely) ✓ Highchairs (likely) ✓ Outdoor space ✓ Buggy friendly 🔊 Relaxed atmosphere 👨‍👩‍👧 Great for all ages
The Mussel and Steak Bar ££
Restaurant Edinburgh

The Mussel and Steak Bar

Grassmarket seafood spot with proper kids' portions of mussels, high chairs and buggy access — book ahead, and save room for the sticky toffee pudding.

✓ Kids menu ✓ Highchairs ✓ Outdoor space ✓ Baby changing (likely) ✓ Buggy friendly ✓ Vegan options (likely) ✓ Gluten free (likely) 🔊 Lively atmosphere 👨‍👩‍👧 Great for all ages Booking recommended