Iconic San Francisco bar shuts down after 60 years

A Historic Bar in San Francisco Closes Its Doors

Edinburgh Castle, a beloved bar located on Geary Street in San Francisco's Tenderloin district, has closed its doors after decades of operation. The two-story establishment, known for its unique atmosphere and long-standing presence in the city, poured its last drink this month, marking the end of an era that began in 1959.

Tay Kim, who has owned the bar since 1999, first confirmed the closure to a local publication. U.S. Bank foreclosed on the property in February after the bar's owner allegedly stopped making payments on a loan, leading to the bar entering receivership in June. While the exact date of closure could not be confirmed, Kim did not respond to requests for comment in time for publication.

The bar was easily recognizable for its rare indoor smoking room and the Scottish flags that lined its walls. It also served as a popular filming location, with scenes from "Venom" and "So I Married an Axe Murderer" shot inside. Beyond its cinematic appeal, Edinburgh Castle was a central hub for the local arts scene, hosting at least one Noise Pop concert and numerous punk shows in the early 2000s.

Fred Schrunk, co-owner of the Knockout, shared his memories of the bar. “In the early 2000s when I was finally old enough to attend bar shows, Edinburgh was one of the best spots for underground music in the entire city,” he wrote in an email. “Whoever was booking back then really had their finger on the pulse of outsider music.” Schrunk added, “Really sad to see it go. Hopefully whoever takes it over does something remotely cool with the space, but I won't hold my breath.”

In the wake of the pandemic, the bar continued to serve as a venue for occasional concerts, hosting events such as Psyched! Fest and the Tenderloin Music and Arts Festival. Earlier this month, Edinburgh Castle hosted a three-band concert called "Cumbia at the Castle," with another event planned for August 23 that was later canceled.

The bar also had a rich literary history in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Alan Black, who was then the bar manager and bartender, brought in fellow authors like Irvine Welsh, the Scottish author of "Trainspotting." The bar hosted four months of sold-out play performances based on the book before it was adapted into a 1996 movie that received critical acclaim. Regular readings by local writers and visits from established authors such as Aimee Bender and Pushcart Prize winner Kim Addonizio were common occurrences.

Tay Kim started working at the pub in 1994 and became its owner in 1999. He purchased the building in 2010 and listed Edinburgh Castle for sale in 2019 for $3.995 million, which included the business, the building, and the liquor license. At the time, Kim told SF Weekly that business had been slow, partly due to the changing demographics of the city. “Different crowd, not a drinking one,” he said. “In the past it was more of a band watching, drinking one, but they've either started families and/or moved out of the city. The recent ‘tech' transplants are not drinkers or social.”

Despite these challenges, the bar remained in Kim’s ownership until its closure this month. The loss of Edinburgh Castle is felt deeply by many in the San Francisco community, especially those who cherished its role as a cultural and artistic landmark. As the city continues to evolve, the legacy of Edinburgh Castle will remain a part of its rich history.