Belhaven’s flagship Grassmarket pub The Beehive has officially reopened its doors to the public following a major refurbishment.
Set at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, the historic pub reportedly had £1 million spent on reinvigorating its interior and exterior, whilst preserving its ‘unique character’.
The ground floor bar has been fully renovated, with new furniture, enhanced lighting and updated décor to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Outside, there’s refreshed seating on the front terrace with views of the Grassmarket. Plans are also underway to install a stretch tent in the back garden, creating an adaptable space for year-round gatherings and corporate events.
On the first floor, The Beehive has undergone a complete transformation with the creation of a bright open-plan dining space, with a refreshed food menu, including a choice of Sunday roasts.
Another standout feature is the new dedicated whisky bar, with over 100 varieties, offering tailored whisky flights and bookable tasting classes.
The building’s top floor is now a multi‑purpose events space, with improvements to the existing comedy attic and additional meeting rooms for hosting corporate events and special celebrations.
Belhaven said that its investment had created multiple local jobs, with new members joining the team across both front and back of house roles.
General manager David Race said: “The team and I are excited to be officially welcoming guests back through The Beehive’s doors.
“It’s even better than before and perfect for creating incredible experiences for all our customers, with highlights including our new whisky bar and top‑floor events space. It’s an exciting new chapter for the centuries-old pub and we can’t wait for people to see it!”
Business unit director for Belhaven pubs, David McBride, added: “We’re proud to unveil The Beehive’s new look following a major investment, combining the heritage of this renowned social hub with some fantastic new features to ensure top-quality drinking, dining and entertainment experiences for locals and visitors from around the world.
“Pubs like The Beehive have been at the heart of Edinburgh’s rich culture for centuries, and they play a crucial role in supporting local jobs and creating safe and welcoming spaces where communities can come together and thrive.
“Despite the rising cost challenges facing the sector, this investment reaffirms we will do as much as we can to ensure these landmarks continue to attract customers, but we urge the Government to also play its part to reduce the significant cost pressures faced by pubs, which is needed alongside investment to keep these much-loved venues alive.”
The Beehive’s refurbishment builds on Belhaven’s 2025 programme of investment, during which the brand committed more than £5 million into more than 20 pubs.
