EDINBURGH’S Keane family this week opened its latest pub, Malones Leith, proclaiming it a worthy addition to its successful stable of authentic Irish pubs with ‘no Paddy-wackery’.
Opening on Constitution Street just as Leith is enjoying a bounce in trade from the completed direct tram link with Edinburgh city centre, the new 250-capacity venue has special significance to the family, which has long celebrated the historic links beween the Scottish capital and the Irish drinks industry.
Simon Keane said that the motivation to extend the family of pubs to Leith stemmed from numerous factors, but a significant personal influence was discovering that a considerable number of his wife Celena’s ancestors had arrived in Scotland through the Port of Leith.
“Leith is important to my wife since so many of her Irish ancestors can be traced back generations since they arrived in Leith port for their new lives in Scotland,” said Simon. “If it wasn’t for Leith, we may never have met, so opening a Malones venue in Leith is in a way a tribute to my wife and her ancestral roots.
“Given that some of her ancestors settled here, I’m sure she has extended family members in Leith, so we hope you can all enjoy a drink at Malones and maybe discover something about your past!”
The Keane family also own Malones bars at Haymarket, Glasgow and Aberdeen, as well as Cask Smugglers and Festival Village on the roof of Edinburgh’s Waverley Market.
The family make a point of pouring ‘significant’ investment into the fabric and structure of each building they acquire, restoring neglected original features to preserve their heritage.
Following in the footsteps of Malones Edinburgh, the Leith outpost claims to be only the second venue in the city to offer Tennent’s Tank Lager.
The new pub is also committed to sustainability, and intends to source its drinks from brands that share those values. Its own-brand Smugglers Spirits of gin and vodka are made in Edinburgh with locally-sourced botanicals and ingredients, and it works with a Dublin-based distillery to make its own Malones Triple Cask Irish Whiskey.
Malones Leith’s menu has launched with a focus on quality, locally-caught seafood, which is a speciality of head chef, Ruxi Mirton-Teng, a Leith local who previously worked at Michelin-starred restaurant Heron.
“Malones as a brand is great craic,” said Simon. “But also remember that we’re Irish people running authentic Irish pubs – not Irish themed pubs. You’ll find no Paddy-wackery stuff here. It’s all good quality drinks, live music from local talent, sports, great locally-sourced food, and attentive service from my wonderful team.”
Malones Leith is child-friendly (until 10pm) and dog-friendly, open seven days a week, from 11am to 1am, with a weekly roster of sport and live music.
