80 West Bow
Edinburgh
EH1 2HH
0131 226 7667
Traditional Town Pub
The Bow Bar describes itself as the “last bar dedicated to air pressure tall fonts”. These beer taps, found only in Scotland, have the beer drawn from the barrel via air pressure generated by a water engine.
The pub dates only from 1987 but is set up as a traditional one-roomed drinking shop in a tenement. As well as the original whisky mirrors on the walls, there is an impressively crafted gantry behind the bar.
Beer drinkers are well served with four regular Scottish cask beers and four guests from around the UK, six craft beers and about 60 bottled beers from around the world. Whisky drinkers have a choice of around an astonishing 400 malts. Whisky and beer lists are on the pub website.
Deuchar’s IPA, now a well known national brand, started life as the house beer of the Bow Bar after after it opened in 1987.
Not the only pub in Edinburgh with tall fonts. The Athletic Arms has them.
I think it’s the air pressure system rather than the tall fonts that they say is unique. I must get myself to the Diggers next time I’m in Edinburgh. I haven’t been in years.