Tucked inside the old Edinburgh University veterinary school at Summerhall, The Royal Dick is one of those bars that feels like a well-kept secret — until the beer garden fills up on a sunny day and you realize everyone already knows. They brew their own beer (Barney's) and distill their own gin on-site, so the drinks lineup is genuinely unique. The food is solid pub grub with a cult following — the fish-finger sandwich is legendary among regulars.
Hidden in Summerhall's old vet school, this courtyard bar brews its own beer and distills its own gin on-site — and serves one of Edinburgh's best beer gardens.
Opening hours are quirky — they open at 4pm Tuesday to Thursday and noon on weekends. On sunny days, arrive early to grab a spot in the courtyard beer garden, which fills up fast.
A hidden courtyard bar brewing its own beer and gin inside an old vet school
The Royal Dick isn't your average Edinburgh pub — it's hidden inside Summerhall, the city's most beloved multi-arts venue, which used to be the old veterinary school (hence the name, a nod to the Royal Dick Veterinary School). You'll find it through the courtyard, and on a sunny day, that courtyard becomes one of the best beer gardens in the city. It's sprawling, relaxed, and has the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to stay for "just one more."
What sets this place apart is what they make on-site. Barney's Beer is brewed right here — a couple of casks and countless kegs from the house brewery and beyond dominate the bar. The Summerhall Distillery gin is also produced within reaching distance of the bar, and it's excellent. Try any of the house beers; the Good Ordinary Pale Ale is a reliable starting point. The food is proper pub grub — well-priced sandwiches and mains served all day, with the fish-finger sandwich being the thing regulars swear by.
It's not a polished, cocktail-bar experience, and that's the whole point. The vibe is artsy, slightly rough around the edges, and all the better for it. You'll share the space with students, artists, and locals who've been coming for years. Opening hours are a bit unusual — they open at 4pm Tuesday through Thursday, and at noon on weekends — so plan accordingly. During the Fringe, this place is absolutely buzzing, but year-round it's a genuinely great spot for a laid-back drink.