It is also a favourite of Sir Ian Rankin.
04:30, 26 Apr 2026
Lorraine Kelly lavished praise on the historic pub(Image: Lorraine Kelly (Instagram))
The Daily Record is back with the latest edition of our new Pub of the Week series, and this one is extra special. Not only has this Edinburgh bar been a longtime favourite amongst locals, but has also been praised by Lorraine Kelly and is even known for its appearance in Sir Ian Rankin’s Rebus novels.
The Oxford Bar is situated at 8 Young Street in Edinburgh‘s New Town, around just five minutes on foot from the city’s famous Princes Street. The Category B listed building, which has a history dating back to the early 19th century, has been operating as a pub for more than 100 years.
As reported by Edinburgh Live, Lorraine Kelly previously enjoyed a visit to The Oxford Bar following an appearance at the Edinburgh Book Festival to promote her new novel. The legendary television personality even posed for a photograph outside of the bar and praised the staff and punters.
Kelly, who can be seen smiling and posing with her family in the photo, wrote on social media: “And then afterwards we had to go to the @oxfordbar – it’s what @beathigh and #rebus would have wanted! What a great crowd and a proper pub with the best bar staff.”
Lorraine Kelly lavished praise on the historic pub(Image: Lorraine Kelly (Instagram))
The Oxford Bar is famous for its literary connections, with writers and artists such as Sydney Goodsir Smith, Colin Dexter, and Sir Michael Palin known to have visited over the years. However, for many people across Scotland and beyond, the most famous is Fife-born author Sir Ian Rankin.
The pub notably features in Rankin’s Inspector Rebus series of novels and its adaptations, being main character John Rebus’s favourite watering hole. Due to this connection, The Oxford Bar has become a popular destination amongst fans of the Rebus books.
As reported by The Guardian, Rankin previously said of The Oxford Bar: “I had been drinking in Edinburgh for four or five years at that point but I’d never come across the Oxford Bar, the reason being, it is tucked into a tiny lane. The first time you go in there you are a stranger and the second time you go in there you are a friend, and the barman is already pulling your pint.”
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On Google, The Oxford Bar currently holds an overall rating of 4.5 out of five based on 1,131 reviews from visitors. Previous customers have praised the historic pub for its old-fashioned ambience, friendly locals, and of course its legendary literary connections.
One visitor posted: “Exactly what I hoped it would be. Stopped by for an afternoon pint and met some of the most wonderful people. It had the look and feel of a real local pub.”
A second shared: “The best kept secret if you’re going up to Murrayfield for a Scotland match. The most well-kept beers you could hope for delivered carefully into your pint glass. A proper pub that feels like a locals, only pub, but they’re very welcoming. Beautiful little fire in the back room. Highly recommended.”
Another visitor to The Oxford Bar wrote: “As an Ian Rankin fan this was always going to be a must see. I had no expectations so was happy just to visit. To hear Ian visits and staff so happy to see a fan (I did bring five other friends along) I was very happy with my visit. Easy to find and well worth the visit. Highly recommended if you a Rebus fan.”
More information about The Oxford Bar can be found on the pub’s Instagram account. You can also find a selection of the Daily Record’s previous Pubs of the Weeks below: