John Dowie's Tavern


John Dowie's Tavern was an 18th/19th century tavern in Edinburgh, Scotland, frequented by a number of well-known persons. Its proximity to the Edinburgh law courts also meant it was a haunt of Edinburgh lawyers and judges.

History

John Dowie took over a tavern named "The Mermaid" on Liberton Wynd, off Edinburgh's Royal Mile, close to the Law Courts and St Giles Cathedral around 1770. The building held a date-stone of 1728 over the entrance. Dowie was a convivial host, and despite the small rooms and lack of daylight, it was a popular place, due to both Dowie himself and the quality of the beers. Liberton Wynd was a steep and narrow alley leading from the High Street to the Cowgate.
The south wall of the tavern was defined by the King's Wall, one of the early city town walls.
Edinburgh Ale was supplied to the tavern by Archibald Younger from the Croft-an-Righ Brewery near Holyrood Abbey. The tavern also sold food such as Nor' Loch trout, Welsh rabbit and "puffed herring". It was upon from around 10am until midnight.
The largest room in the tavern held around 14 people. The smallest space, known as "the coffin", held four, or six at a squeeze, and was the favourite space of Burns.
In 1806, the poem "Johnnie Dowie's Ale" was published, raising the fame of the tavern.
Following the death of John Dowie in 1817, the tavern was renamed the Burns Tavern due to its connection to Robert Burns.
Dowie left around £6,000 in his will. He was survived by his second wife and the children from his first marriage.
It was demolished to create George IV Bridge, which began construction in 1827. It is thought the tavern was one of the last buildings demolished for the project, around 1836. Although some records state the tavern was demolished in 1881, this appears to relate to a second Burns Tavern, possibly built by the owner of the first.

Known clientele

The following are known to have visited the tavern:
This was a "club" which met in the tavern in the last decade of the 18th century. Members included: