Closes & Coffee
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.
About Closes & Coffee
Brewed in history - Two hidden closes. One unforgettable morning.
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.
Your Experience Includes:
A guided coffee tour at The Lost Close, An underground close not open to the public for nearly 200 years
A freshly brewed coffee from Edinburgh roaster Common Coffee.
The tale of coffee’s journey to Edinburgh and its Enlightenment-era role
A guided experience at The Real Mary King’s Close, winner of Tripadvisor’s UK’s Best Visitor Attraction 2024
Entry to two of Edinburgh’s most atmospheric hidden closes
Small group setting for up to 12 guests
Dates and Times
Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday
From 19 June to 30 August 2025
Meeting Point:
John’s Coffee House & Tavern
1A Parliament Square, EH1 1RF
Please arrive 10 minutes before your tour begins.
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