You can imagine that this is where many an Edinburgh legal chap takes him or herself off to partake in discrete imbibing. The Jolly Judge is a traditional, Scottish bar, just a block or so up the Royal Mile from the law courts, but hidden away down a narrow Old Town alleyway.
It's a small, long-established bar, with a good selection of real ales, ciders, malt whiskies, and other spirits. When it's cold out, you can get cosy with one of their hot toddies or other winter-warming drinks by the fire (if you're lucky).
The pub is found down an alleyway off Castlehill (top of the Royal Mile), and opens to a small courtyard surrounded by tall residential, tenement buildings. The pub is sunk down a few steps into the ground floor of one of these tall buildings. When it's warm, you can drink in the courtyard - there are tables and umbrellas outside the Jolly Judge. Under-18s aren't allowed in the bar.
Due to its small size and proximity to the main tourist drag (Royal Mile) it can get busy, but as often is not.
The courtyard is next to Lady Stairs Close and the free Edinburgh Writer's Museum and Makars Court.