Review: Tram Trail 2026, a West End to Leith pub crawl

Bellfield Brewery has launched the Tram Trail 2026, a seven-pub crawl across Edinburgh connecting the West End to Leith along the city tram route. Running through October 2026, the promotion asks drinkers to order a pint of Bellfield at seven distinct venues, assemble a complete coaster mosaic, and claim an exclusive green T-shirt at the final stop.

While the concept neatly mirrors the expanded tram network down to Leith, it wasn’t a hasty marketing band-aid for past line closures. Bellfield trailed the campaign months ahead of its rollout, resulting in a cohesive, self-paced trail that works best when split across multiple sessions.

Tracking Coasters from the West End to the Shore

The trail mechanics are simple and clear. At each stop, you buy a pint of Bellfield, collect a venue-specific beer mat, and compile all seven pieces into a continuous graphic illustration. Rather than racing through seven pints in one afternoon, splitting the crawl over two weekends proved far more manageable and kept the experience civil.

I did it in the wrong order; you can too. Starting mid-route at Edinburgh Street Food meant breaking regular habits. Ordering at the back bar in person rather than via the usual table QR code secured the first coaster immediately from bar staff who understood the assignment without hesitation. From there, stepping into the ornate, tile-heavy hall of Cafe Royal on a bustling Sunday evening offered a stark contrast in pace and atmosphere, even if it proved to be one of the dearest pints on the card.

The route then shifted down into Leith Walk for an easy pint at the Boundary Bar near the Balfour Street tram halt, before culminating midweek at Nobles by Bellfield on Constitution Street. As explored in our Nobles by Bellfield review, the venue retains its neighbourhood charm. Better still, the bar team validate and sign your coaster set so you can retain the original art alongside your collected shirt.

West End Curiosities and Pint Economics

The real strength of the trail lies in nudging drinkers into unfamiliar doorways. Tucked just off Princes Street, Thistle Street Bar was the run’s standout discovery, pairing a compact, cosy interior with an exceptional back-bar spirits range and relaxed hospitality.

Heading west required some navigation. Mather’s Bar (West End) sits temporarily cloaked behind heavy builder’s scaffolding, preserving a mid-century saloon interior that feels stubbornly detached from the polished dining spots nearby. Further down toward Haymarket, Hebrides West End brings a multi-tiered floor plan featuring split levels and stairs reminiscent of an Escher sketch.

The Tram Trail turns casual weekend pints into a genuine neighbourhood treasure hunt across Edinburgh.”

Economics vary sharply along the steel rails. Pints across partner bars ranged between £6.00 and £7.00, whereas Nobles poured fresh Bellfield for roughly £1.50 less per glass. Total spend sits between £42 and £49, making it an investment if viewed purely as buying clothing, but exceptional value as an excuse to explore the city’s drinking institutions. With the organised Leith Beer Trail also trying to lure crowds down the line, coordinated neighbourhood hospitality trails are proving their worth.

Overall

It scores high because the Tram Trail 2026 values exploration over binge drinking. By keeping the pub list short and providing a full month to finish the mosaic, Bellfield Brewery has built a neat local pub crawl that delivers memorable discoveries, great craft beer, and a solid souvenir without running participants into the ground.