2 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
60-year-old S.F. pub featured in movies has closed
After more than 60 years in San Francisco's Tenderloin, the popular medieval-themed dive bar Edinburgh Castle Pub has closed its doors at 950 Geary St.
Owner Tay Kim, who bought the bar in 1999, confirmed the closure in a message to the Chronicle.
U.S. Bank filed a foreclosure lawsuit against the bar in February 2024 for a more than $700,000 loan made in 2009, records show. According to the lawsuit, Edinburgh Castle stopped making monthly payments on the loan in 2023.
This June, a court appointed receiver took possession of the property, and an auctioneer was appointed to sell the building.
The pub has a rich history dating back to its opening in 1959. It was a favorite spot for a slew of famed writers, and hosted readings from the likes of Scottish writer Irvine Welsh, whose book 'Trainspotting' was adapted to a play first staged at the venue, before it became a film. He staged the American debut of the production at the bar, which he would later adapt into a hit movie. The Castle was also featured in the films 'So I Married an Axe Murderer' and 'Venom.'
Despite its popularity in the 1990s and 2010s, when it was known to host live music, business in the historic space has been slower over the years, and Kim even put the bar up for sale in 2019.
In the end, Kim told the Chronicle, 'COVID really was the main catalyst for our demise. We lost approximately 70% of our business. I've been there for 31 years so it was a good run at a place where magic happened. I don't miss it now but I'll miss it in time surely.'
Mario Cortez contributed to this report.
This story has been updated to include additional comments from Tay Kim and to clarify that the author Irvine Welsh wrote the book 'Trainspotting.'
