Draft:The Athletic Arms (Diggers)
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| Athletic Arms | |
|---|---|
| Alternative names | Diggers |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Location | Edinburgh |
| Address | 1-3 Angle Park Terrace, Edinburgh, EH11 2JX |
| Opened | 1897 |
| Landlord | Kevin McGhee |
| Website | |
| https://athleticarms.co.uk | |
The Athletic Arms, commonly known as the Diggers,[1] is a historic pub in Edinburgh. 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 tis 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/-
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ a b c "HOME". Athletic Arms. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
- ^ a b c d "Athletic Arms [Diggers], Edinburgh". CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
- ^ a b c "The Athletic Arms – Bury me here". Edinburgh Pub Reviews. 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
- ^ "Edinburgh publican wins BT Sport December Manager of the Month award". MorningAdvertiser.co.uk. 2018-01-26. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
- ^ a b "Regulars at popular Hearts pub in Edinburgh donate nearly £10k to keep bar in business". Edinburgh News. 2020-04-28. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
- ^ "Edinburgh's Top Bars and Pubs revealed as Bar Awards Finalists Announced - Scottish Business News". scottishbusinessnews.net. 2024-09-04. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
- ^ "All the pubs and bars shortlisted for the Edinburgh Bar Awards 2024". Edinburgh News. 2024-09-04. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
- ^ "End of an era for city cask beer". 2006-12-19. Retrieved 2024-11-28.