Southside,
Newington
Southsiders have a strong identity and a keen sense
of community, sometimes feeling left out at the expense of other parts of the
city. A population resident here for generations successfully mixes with more
a transient student one. Much of its architectural heritage dates from the same
time as the New Town but it only really became a full part of Edinburgh when the
South Bridge crossed the Cowgate divide towards the end of the 18th century.
A
lot of its core has been damaged by poor planning in the past and by the ravages
of the university's short sighted demolition of many key landmarks in the 60's.
Things
have begun to change with new community resources and shops returning to the area.
The boundaries are always open to debate, but this area covers the university,
halls of residence, the Sick Kids Hospital, the Meadows, the Queens Hall, the
synagogue and the central mosque.
Pubs vary widely from old traditional
locals, to bistros and student haunts. Many of the hotels in Minto Street, Mayfield
Gardens and Craigmillar Park (actually all one road which amuses Glaswegians)
have bars but these are not covered here.
The Abbey
65, South Clerk St
EH8 9PP
0131 668 4862
The Advocate
82, South Bridge
EH1 1HN
0131 220 2094
The Auld Hoose
Ratcliffe Terrace
Barcelona
2-8, West Crosscauseway
EH8
9JP
0131 662 8860
Braidburn Inn
200, Mayfield Rd
EH9 3BE
0131 667 3867
Brass Monkey
14 Drummond Street
EH8
0131 556 1961
Captains Bar
4, South College St
EH8 9AA 0131 668 2312
Traditional wee and real local pub. Some real ale.
Refreshingly genuine.
The Cauldron
77, Clerk St
EH8 9JG
0131 622 7236
Drouthy Neebors
1, West Preston St
EH8 9PX 0131 662 9617
A lively. studenty and welcoming bar on a Scottish
theme rather than traditionally Scottish. Real ales, jugs of beer and cocktails.
Grey Horse Inn
200, Dalkeith Rd
EH16
5DT 0131 668 2292
Jeannie Deans Tryste
67, St. Leonards Hill
EH8 9SB
0131 667 2628
Kildares
133, Nicolson St
EH8 9ER
0131 667 3749
Leslie's Bar
45, Ratcliffe Terrace
EH9 1SU 0131 667 5957
Built in 1896 and designed by the same architect
as the Abbotsford, Leslie's is the genuine article. The wide selection of real
ales, wines and whiskies combines with the unspoilt surroundings to make it a
firm favourite with Edinburgers. One side of the bar is open with a small room
off. The other side has separate 'snug' type arches for privacy in the days when
some wouldn't want others to see them in the pub. There is also a traditional
snug on this side with an alcove through the back. This is a local pub but some
of the locals travel a good bit to get there. Loads of stories about how the pub
has looked after customers and customers have looked after each other.
The Maltings
81-85, St. Leonards St
EH8 9QY
0131 667 5946
The Meadow Bar
42-44,
Buccleuch St
EH8 9LP 0131 667 6907
Comfy bar popular with locals
and students who refer to it as the 'moo' because of its sign. Used to be a lot
more basic. In my student days a colleague lost possession of tape recorder there
when working on phonetics project to study drunken speech.
Minders Bar
114, Causewayside
EH9 1PU
0131 667 9479
The Old Bell
233, Causewayside
EH9 1PH
0131 668 1573
Pear
Tree House (website)
Historical place with big wall-enclosed beer
garden and apparently a ghost. Good variety of beers in this lively bar. Popular
with students and locals alike.
Proctors
93-95, Buccleuch St
EH8 9NG
0131 667 9773
Southern Bar
(website)
22-26 South Clerk St EH8 9PR
0131 667 2288
Always something going on here and it seems to be the hub of a variety of sporting
and recreational activities. Big bar, big TV and two raised more secluded areas.
An area set aside for ski-ing and driving games (last time I was there). Also
more traditional pub games. Students and locals mix here. Beer reasonably priced
and service good.
The Southside Steamie
72-74, Newington Rd
EH9 1QN
0131 667 9019
Stewarts Bar
14, Drummond St
EH8
9TU 0131 556 1961
A real southside locals pub dating back 100 or so years.
Trophies on show testify to its community roots. Ornate lamppost outside advertises
its presence. Steady trade of jugs of beer for the unlicensed Kushi's restaurant
next door, itself and Edinburgh institution.
Swany's
Lounge Bar (website)
1, Ratcliffe Terrace
EH9 1SX 0131 667
8023
'Our family run Lounge Bar is situated in the historic southside
of Edinburgh' - their own site describes it well. Had a few nice chats here when
the 42 bus was missing again! Boasts its own whisky. Cosy atmosphere and very
welcoming.
Victoria Bar
25, Causewayside
EH9 1QF
0131 667 1145
The Wine Glass
Newington Rd
EH9 1QR
0131 651 0901
Quite different from the usual older Edinburgh bar, the
Wine Glass has been unchanged for many years. It has a kind of hotel/ theatre
bar feel that has clearly continued to attract.
Woolpack Bar
32 Potterrow
EH8 9BT
0131 662 9788
Some real ales in the very spacious and quite new bar with
an old name. This area is gradually recovering from being turned into a car park
by the university 30 years ago.
Duddingston
Another
of Edinburgh's ancient villages in the city. Only a few minutes walk from busy
Milton Road, just down the road from the sprawling Craigmillar housing scheme
and a five minute drive round Arthur's Seat from the Commonwealth Pool, yet Duddingston
still feels like a village in the country. Quiet, affluent and in a beautiful
setting next to Duddingston Loch where skating was popular in times of old when
it used to freeze over more. Famous ancient church.
The
Sheep Heid Inn
43-45, The Causeway, Duddingston Village
EH15 3QA
0131 656 6951
Nestling the shadow of Arthur Seat, close to Duddingston
Loch, The Sheep's Heid is said to date from 1360. The name derives from the design
of a snuff box given by King James VI. Previous regulars include Mary Queen of
Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie who must have dropped in during a break from planning
the Battle of Prestonpans in a house at the other end of the Causeway in 1745
(so there). Good beer and good food served till mid evening. Beer garden and parking.
Also has a skittle alley popular for night out. A real medieval feel to this pub,
well because it's medieval. A living museum well worth a visit.
