Joe Cardosi came to Thurso in 1910 and established two cafés in Thurso, one was on Traill Street, the other at the bottom of town, which became known locally as Top and Bottom Joe's. Joe's great grandson (5th generation) Scott Youngson now owns the lively town centre bar, café next door and Central Hotel, above.

The horseshoe bar has three handpumps with no set regular beers from the Heineken stable, although it sometimes drops to just one during the quieter winter months. No food service as such, but staff will direct you next door where you can order food from Cardosi’s café, and it will be brought to your table.

For those staying, or just passing through on the way to Orkney, Scrabster and the ferry terminal is only ten minutes away. Sister hotel is Commercial Hotel around the corner - which also has a bar!

Parking outside during the day is free, but time limited, however there are no restrictions a few streets away.