Closes & Coffee

Brewed in history

Two hidden closes. One unforgettable morning.

Step into a story steeped in centuries with Closes & Coffee, an exclusive immersive experience from The Real Mary King’s Close and The Lost Close.

Begin your day at John’s Coffee House & Tavern, once a lively meeting place for Enlightenment thinkers like Adam Smith and David Hume. Beneath it lies The Lost Close – a hidden close sealed for nearly two centuries and only uncovered in 2019.

Descend into this remarkable underground space for an expert-led storytelling tour. Learn about the role of coffee in shaping 18th-century Edinburgh, explore the history of coffee houses, and admire the world’s second-oldest Crossley Four-stroke engine – a surprising gem beneath the city streets. Along the way, enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee from Edinburgh roaster Common Coffee.

Then, continue your journey through time at The Real Mary King’s Close. Step down into the preserved 17th-century streets beneath the Royal Mile and hear the real stories of those who lived, worked and died on the Close. With no myths and no exaggeration, this is Edinburgh’s history told where it happened.

Dates and Times

Saturday & Sunday
09.15 Coffee Tour at The Lost Close
10.00 Tour at The Real Mary King’s Close

or

10.15 Coffee Tour at The Lost Close
11.00 Tour at The Real Mary King’s Close

Price

£40.00 per person
Advance booking is essential. Only 12 places available per session.

Meeting Point

John’s Coffee House & Tavern
1A Parliament Square, EH1 1RF
View on Google Maps

Please arrive 10 minutes before your tour begins.

Need to Know

• Tours conducted in English
• Coffee provided by Common Coffee, roasted in Edinburgh
• Involves stairs and uneven surfaces
• Not suitable for children under 5
• Audio guides not available