Port O'Leith on Constitution Street has been placed on the market for lease after a near ten-year stewardship, prompting memories of Mary Moriarty and concern over recent licensing restrictions
The iconic Port O’Leith pub on Constitution Street is entering a new chapter after its current landlord announced he will step away following almost a decade in charge. A for lease sign has been observed outside the venue, and the venue is being handled by Star Pubs, the pub division of Heineken UK.
Though the listing has not appeared yet on the company’s official site, the external sign has made the situation clear to passersby and regulars alike, sparking conversation among the local community about what comes next for this familiar watering hole.
The announcement comes at a moment when the bar’s recent crowd scenes and communal evenings have been much talked about online and in person. Footage from a busy weekend shows patrons filling the room and proudly singing “Sunshine on Leith”, a moment that many saw as a celebration of an era coming to an end.
The pub’s atmosphere and traditions have long made it a social anchor for Leith residents, and the prospect of new management or a new leaseholder has raised both curiosity and concern among those who consider the venue part of their neighbourhood identity.
Change of hands and local reaction
The person currently stepping down, Craig Smith, has been at the helm of the Port for nearly ten years and will leave behind a venue with deep local ties. The pub itself carries a layered history, not least the long tenure of the late Mary Moriarty, affectionately known as the “Queen of Leith”, who managed the establishment for 25 years and passed away in 2026 at the age of 83. Her stewardship cemented the Port’s reputation as a community hub; regulars remember her warmth and presence fondly, and any change in management is being measured against that legacy.
Who is handling the lease and what we know
Star Pubs, part of Heineken UK, is overseeing the lease process for the venue. While the public-facing listing of the pub has not yet appeared on the corporate website, the visible for lease notice has signalled that the end of the current tenancy is imminent. Local traders and patrons are watching to see whether a similar-style operator will take over or whether the pub will undergo a more substantial repositioning. At the time of writing, both Craig Smith and Star Pubs have been contacted for comment but no detailed public statement has been provided.
Licensing issues and regulatory context
The Port has faced regulatory scrutiny in the recent past, with locals reporting heightened attention to noise and late-night activity. In a licensing review held in March, the venue was subject to oversight by the local authority’s licensing board and was subsequently given a 10pm noise limit order. That directive, issued after complaints, restricted certain types of amplified or outdoor noise beyond that hour. Observers note that the lease was due for renewal this year, and that Heineken UK expedited the end of the tenancy; whether that decision was linked to the licensing outcome has been a matter of local speculation.
Noise restrictions and community balance
The imposition of a 10pm noise limit order reflects a common tension between vibrant nightlife and residential amenity. For the Port’s patrons, the pub’s energy and communal singing were defining features; for nearby residents, noise complaints prompted the licensing review and subsequent restrictions. The balance between maintaining a lively public house and respecting local living conditions is a recurring theme in such disputes, and any incoming operator will have to navigate those expectations carefully to retain goodwill from neighbours while preserving the pub’s character.
Lease timing and next steps
It is understood that the pub’s lease was already approaching its renewal window, but the landlord and operator have been informed that the end of the tenancy would come sooner than originally planned. The visible for lease sign indicates that Star Pubs is now actively seeking a new tenant, and the community can expect announcements once formal arrangements are made. Meanwhile, regulars continue to gather, and the recent scenes of shared song and fond goodbyes highlight how the venue’s social bonds remain strong even as management changes. Both the outgoing landlord and the pub owner have been asked for statements; the public awaits their response.
