Alva House

Alva House

Edinburgh’s premier gay-friendly guesthouse

Average Reviews

About

Alva House is Edinburgh’s premier gay-friendly guesthouse. You will find a range of stylish and comfortable accommodation, tailored to the needs of the LGBT community. Our prices are surprisingly affordable.

All rooms have TV and DVD player, and there is a DVD library for your viewing pleasure. Alva House is a non-smoking guesthouse, with wifi available throughout.

Our rates include a continental breakfast buffet which is available until midday. Tea, coffee and biscuits are available in the open kitchen at any time.

We are an easy walk to the bars, nightlife and many of Edinburgh’s major visitor attractions. Car parking on the streets neighbouring Alva House is free and unrestricted.

So come inside and take a look. Alva House is proudly gay-owned and operated and we look forward to meeting you.

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Reviews

Regent Bar
4.4
Based on 351 reviews
P O'Brien
06:53 26 Sep 24
I haven’t been but such a pity you don’t allow dogs given so many gay people have a dog. Been in Edinburgh 2 years, live locally and this is preventing me from visiting. Missing out on custom!I went in, got pounced on by 2 unfriendly bar staff - miserable as hell. Interrogation about having a dog. This is an unfriendly gay bar staffed by jobsworths who don't allow dogs. Try being friendly and welcoming instead of reactive and horrible.
Ryan Zhang
08:20 13 Sep 24
great place for one person going. bright lighting and cozy vibe,very friendly staffs!
Jason Harding
15:24 25 Aug 24
This is by far my favourite bar to hang out and chill in. I've met some lovely people and the staff are amazing. There are games that you can play, music is great and a wide variety of drinks on offer.
Jaun Mostert
19:21 24 Aug 24
Nice atmosphere, felt very comfortable here. IPA is top notch!
John Whitehouse
20:30 15 Aug 24
One of my favourite pubs. The real ale is always top quality, the atmosphere is always pleasant and there's no annoying TV blasting sport at you. It's described on this site as a "gay bar," but from my perspective, it's just a very friendly pub.
Jesse McLean
15:21 02 Jul 24
Super chill and down to earth gay friendly pub. Easy to find. I will be back.
Daniel Lewis
16:49 18 Jun 24
I didn't eat so cannot comment on the food.It's a lovely place, with a chilled and inclusive atmosphere. I like it a lot. Bright and friendly.
sebastian torres
02:30 26 May 24
Service is as amazing as it can possibly be. Everyone s so friendly and opened. Sometimes it’s just so packed you won’t find a place ( that might be the down side but it should also tell you how good it is). Also it would be great if they had any thing other than pop corn and crisps, but I just feel like the place is so so nice to be that everything else is just irrelevantI spent a lot with my gf bc we had more than couple drinks but it’s very affordable also
David Rodriguez
11:06 26 Feb 24
Great atmosphere and even better staffWe’ll definitely be back!
Jordan James
14:30 17 Jan 24
Very lovely place where I can feel like I can be myself and enjoy drinks along with the snacks, especially the popcorn. Would recommend and will be visiting more frequently
Jordan James
00:19 13 Jan 24
Went there tonight and loved it, felt like I could be myself and even though I was fine and probably take one more pint of cider, I was refused but I respect that because I understand why I was refused and I asked for a pack of peanut, paid and left. Will be going again even if it's kinda costy for a cider:)
Paul
09:01 05 Dec 23
Great bar, friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere. However, the prices let this place down slightly. Coming from Glasgow for the day we were shocked to find a pint of St Mungo priced at £6.50, Innis and Gunn at £6.60, and £5.40 for Tennents, although still easily the best gay bar in Edinburgh.
Joe B.
14:36 27 Oct 23
Dump. Empty 10:30 pmFriday. Also- probably fake drinks. Ordered 1. No alcohol in it. Left.
Dragonfly
20:12 26 Oct 23
Super cosy and friendly pub, the staff is absolutely amazing. Couldn't recommend it enough
Rising Star
09:33 07 Oct 23
Nice and friendly place. The decore is not very bar-y but it's quite cute and not pretentious.
Paul
20:58 13 Sep 23
Great bar, friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere. However, the prices let this place down slightly. Coming from Glasgow for the day we were shocked to find a pint of St Mungo priced at £6.50, Innis and Gunn at £6.60, and £5.40 for Tennents. Easily the best gay bar in Edinburgh.
Alex Eichinger
11:39 05 Sep 23
Lovely LGBTQIA+ pub! Friendly staff, with a nice atmosphere and chill vibes.You have some board games / card games as well, and 'protection' in the bathroom is most thoughtful.
Lisa N.
22:24 30 Aug 23
Stayed at an Airbnb just down the street and wanted a place to grab a pint close by. We popped in to The Regent Bar and felt like we had been coming for...
Paul
14:24 24 Jun 23
Great bar, friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere. However, the prices let this place down slightly. Coming from Glasgow for the day we were shocked to find a pint of St Mungo priced at £6.50, Innis and Gunn at £6.60, and £5.40 for Tennents. Easily the best gay bar in Edinburgh but make sure you go on payday and remember BFH (bus fair home) lol
Kent Alexander Hopsdal
21:40 08 Jun 23
Had such a lovely time here - Foolishly forgot my glasses here but the lovely two owners were so kind enough to keep them and return them to me.Thanks again! ♥️
Stewart
18:18 12 May 23
Really nice relaxing bar. Friendly staff.Unfortunately Dog companions are not allowed which is a shame.Still five star even though my four legged friend was barred.
Richard Mogan
05:59 24 Apr 23
A lively and entertaining pub! The bartenders were FANTASTIC and the crowd was friendly. I will certainly return on my next visit to Edinburgh.
Martynas Didzys
18:48 22 Apr 23
Your friendly local. Free condoms and lube in the bathrooms 😏
Leah Mellor
22:44 28 Feb 23
As someone who hasn’t come out of her “shell”, so to speak, I couldn’t have been met with such warmth, and welcome.The bartenders are kind, hospitable and they take cleanliness seriously. They provide a gentle atmosphere in which you are not demanded to be anything or anyone which I have struggled with in other places.This pub is truly LGBT friendly, all letters and otherwise included.The Regent does not just offer quality lager, but a good standard of ales, nibbles (I rate the olives!) and a decent variety of Scotch Whisky (my thanks for having my favourite, Dalwhinnie). They also offer coffee and soft drinks at a very reasonable price.It is a wee bit outside the centre of Edinburgh, especially for tourists, but it is such a straightforward and safe route there and back. Once you recognise the route, it’s very easy and comfortable.I travelled to Edinburgh for two days, and I deliberately sought an LGBT pub as I have never had the opportunity to come across them. I came back here twice.My thanks to the staff for their welcome. This place is perfect whether you are travelling solo, on your first date, or need to relax after work.I hope to return soon!
Simon Holder
18:39 21 Jan 23
Great bar - amazingly friendly staff and great service - crowd is mixed and friendly definitely worth visiting - if your travelling alone and need a drink this is the place for you!
Katharine Hill (Katie)
18:00 17 Jan 23
A cute and welcoming place but I have to admit that as a non-binary person there were a couple of things that made me uncomfortable. First, the toilets are gendered with no unisex option, and second, when we left a staff member called my group 'ladies'. Good natured but surprisingly out of step for a queer venue.
Mags
10:07 11 Jan 23
Honestly the best pub in Edinburgh. Loads of comfy seats, bathrooms always clean (with complementary sanitary products/lube/condoms!), music isn't too loud, staff are insanely lovely. A gay pub instead of a gay bar. Cosy and wonderful and I love it.
Jeffrey Davies
00:11 08 Dec 22
Fantastic pub. Friendly and Welcoming . Be sure to call in on our next visit to Edinburgh
Ryan Jones
13:32 09 Oct 22
Although somewhat outside the centre, and if you walk there you feel like you are heading to nowhere, this little gem of a gay pub is in a nice quiet residential neighbourhood.They had a menu which we didn't order off of - we were here solely for drinks. It was a Monday night so the crowd was minimal. Beer prices were a bit on the pricey side, which was a bit disappointing to see compared to many other bars in the city.Friendly and welcoming no matter who you are, I loved the home like atmosphere of the place and that walking to it took me somewhere in Edinburgh I've never been before.
Ryan J.
06:32 09 Oct 22
Although somewhat outside the centre, and if you walk there you feel like you are heading to nowhere, this little gem of a gay pub is in a nice quiet...
Sébastien Camille
12:35 03 Oct 22
Loved it ! lovely, cosy and queer friendly place. I also loved the bar tender, they are so cute 😍🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️❤️
Harry Bastermajian
13:41 14 Jun 22
Queer-Friendly bar in Regent Park area. Very relaxed. No loud music. Lovely people. Recommended.
Karen Stegeman
16:43 14 May 22
The people working here were very friendly. The bar is very clean. It was a delightful place to stop and have a drink during a long walk. Very welcoming.
B Husky
17:05 10 May 22
Very uplifting place, Bar and seating is clean and tidy staff as great, Will definitely be coming back.
Michael Antczak
10:42 01 May 22
Great Convinient gay Bar.easy to reach, funny Bar staff,good prices
Edith Collins
12:07 16 Mar 22
One of the best little bars in Edinburgh. Good vibes, good drinks.
Lourdes Barquín
05:05 07 Dec 21
We went thinking they’d serve food as that’s what it looks like on the internet, but they weren’t. This really affected our plans as we went to that area exclusively to visit that pub. However, we had to get a bus and go to the center where there were more pubs that served food. I hav two say though that the lady was lovely and the environment inside the pub is unbeatable. Very welcoming local pub.
Encyclopia
19:17 04 Oct 21
Such an awesome place. I love it and its welcoming, chill nature. So happy and proud to have this pub in my area. Always glad to pop in for a pint.
Angie Webster
21:34 29 Aug 21
Bar staff awesome! Lovely peaceful bar, away from the mad Edinburgh rush of tourists but within walking distance of Princes Street.
James T Harding
10:06 17 Aug 21
A relaxing traditional pub with added queerness. I always enjoy their rotating art exhibitions from local artists.
Anthony Bennis
08:29 01 Aug 21
Lovely pub with Very friendly staff.
Jeú Moraes
16:44 01 Jul 21
Very nice atmosphere. Very friendly staffing.
Colin Gillies
17:18 26 May 21
A well decorated cosy bar with comfortable furniture. Although it is still suffering from the effects of the lockdown and is not yet fully operational it is doing its best to get back to normal with good friendly service.
Jane Smith
19:17 02 Dec 20
Missing this amazing bar. Hoping it will open again when restrictions allow. Great food, great atmosphere and wonderful staff
Inma de Reyes
21:59 05 Sep 20
Lovely staff and atmosphere!
Adam Domenic
22:25 29 Jan 20
My boyfriend and I loved this place! Especially after walking around all day this was a great bar with a cozy atmosphere. Comfortable seating and relaxed feel makes this a great place for having drinks and a good conversation with friends. A great place to hang out and sit back. Will be back for sure to try the food!
Laura Crespi
13:37 15 Dec 18
Very well located, near the London road, Carlton Hill and Parliament, Regent bar's staff are extremely friendly and welcome all their guest with a big smile. The kitchen is open from morning to evening and the quality is very good. Decoration is good and seats are confortable, ideal for a nice chat with friends
Konstantin СH
20:55 24 Oct 18
Nice and cozy place. Very attentive staff, tasty cuisine and great Guinness, without any doubts.Will return back again
Jay Pendragon
20:51 17 Oct 18
Loved this from the rainbow flag hoisted outside to the cosy interior and the vegetarian haggis!Vegan and vegetarian friendly, quick service, tasty food and very inclusive atmosphere! A local friend took me there and I’m so glad they did. Apparently this is the pup for groups participating in Samhain celebrations from rehearsals onward 😉
Lard Belly E.
09:48 10 Aug 18
Absolutely loved this place. My sister and I had just finished a small hike up Arthur's Seat and was meandering down and around, slowly making our way back...
Haitham F.
11:58 25 Jul 15
A solid, decent and honest bar in a bit of a dry area. There's not a huge amount of places to choose from around this part of town, unless you head right...
Kenneth M.
06:28 07 Feb 13
Warm, welcoming & comfy bar serving well kept real ales. Could do with more than just the 2 or 3 taps they have at present but otherwise I can't fault with...
Annette B.
05:13 17 Nov 11
I went to this pub with friends. They advertise themselves as a gay pub but it isn't that obvious. We went there because it is one of the few places in...

Reviews from Google Maps, Yelp and WhereIs.Gay

Last Updated

23 July 2021

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