The Athletic Arms

Last updated
Athletic Arms
The Athletic Arms, Dalry - geograph.org.uk - 7376194.jpg
Alternative namesDiggers
General information
Architectural styleVictorian
LocationEdinburgh
Address1-3 Angle Park Terrace, Edinburgh, EH11 2JX
Opened1897
LandlordKevin McGhee
Website
https://athleticarms.co.uk

The Athletic Arms, commonly known as the Diggers, [1] is a historic pub in Edinburgh, Scotland. Located near Tynecastle Park and Murrayfield, it is popular with sports fans on game days. [2]

The pub's nickname, Diggers, comes from its location between two graveyards, which made it popular with gravediggers at the end of their shifts. [1]

The building is an example of a late-Victorian Scottish pub, well-known for their spacious interiors and central bars. Its bar has a tall fount, a traditional way of serving draft beer in Scotland. [2] [3]

In December 2018, licensee Kevin McGhee won the BT Sport Manager of the Month award for the pub's close association with the Hearts football team. [4]

In March 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pub started a crowdfunding campaign to pay staff. It raised nearly £10,000. [5]

In 2024, The Athletic Arms was shortlisted in the Best Pub category at the Scottish Bar Awards. [6] [7]

Famous patrons include actors James McAvoy and Ken Stott, and author Irvine Welsh. [5]

McEwan's 80/-

The Athletic Arms was famous for its McEwan's 80/- (eighty shilling) beer, which was brewed at the nearby Fountain Brewery. Traditionally, patrons could hold up their fingers to indicate how many pints of 80/- they wanted. There would be up to 15 bar staff wearing red jackets at any one time. [2] According to a sign inside the pub, "by the time [patrons] reached the bar the requested number of pints would be waiting for them.” [3]

An unfounded rumour suggested that the pub had a direct line to the Fountain Brewery which meant it served the freshest beer. According to a 2006 BBC News article, then-owner Karl McKenna said he sold a third of all 80/- served in Edinburgh. [8]

McEwan's stopped producing 80/- cask ale in 2006. The Athletic Arms currently serves a version of 80/- brewed by Stewart Brewing. [3] The pub now calls itself a "specialist whisky pub", with over 700 malt whiskies at the bar. [1] [2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "HOME". Athletic Arms. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Athletic Arms [Diggers], Edinburgh". CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  3. 1 2 3 "The Athletic Arms – Bury me here". Edinburgh Pub Reviews. 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  4. ↑ "Edinburgh publican wins BT Sport December Manager of the Month award". MorningAdvertiser.co.uk. 2018-01-26. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  5. 1 2 "Regulars at popular Hearts pub in Edinburgh donate nearly £10k to keep bar in business". Edinburgh News. 2020-04-28. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  6. ↑ "Edinburgh's Top Bars and Pubs revealed as Bar Awards Finalists Announced - Scottish Business News". scottishbusinessnews.net. 2024-09-04. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  7. ↑ "All the pubs and bars shortlisted for the Edinburgh Bar Awards 2024". Edinburgh News. 2024-09-04. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
  8. ↑ "End of an era for city cask beer". 2006-12-19. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
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