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Pubs
on the Web More and more pubs now have a web presence. Unfortunately
some tend to disappear from time to time. Others are part of a corporate website.
There is even a virtual pub! Where pubs have a site, there is also a link
from their area entry.
Acanthus
(website)
Waverley Bridge
EH1 0131 556 2358
Once a
railway building, stands between the ramps down to Waverley Station. Now has comedy
nights (check
out the oracle for dates). Beer Garden and a vintage red telephone box in
blue. Entrance from Waverley Bridge and from the Princes Mall. 
The
Bank Hotel
Was once a bank, now art-deco pub and hotel, with some
of the original art-deco themes. Belushi's
(website)
9-13 Market Street
0131 226 1446
New American
Bar, part of a national chain, with American and local beers on draught. Food
served in this lively bar with internet access and a long glass frontage on to
the Fruitmarket Gallery. Popular for 'nights out' and when we visited, with Australians
Bottoms
Up Showbar
93 Lothian Road
EH3 9AM, 0131 229 1599
bottomsupshowbar@hotmail.com
One of the newer (perhaps only) showbars with lap dancing.
The
Bridge Inn Ratho
Children welcome, go on a barge on the canal. What
more could you want.
The
Burke and Hare
Oh dear. One the pubs in the 'naked triangle' where
Bread Street joins West Port. Adults only please.
The
Blind Beggar
97-99 Broughton Road
Highly spoken of bikers bar
- all chains and things.
Cenny
Watchers
It seems like Edinburgh's first virtual pub. Weird tacky,
the place where **** all happens (their words not mine)
Carters
Bar
Cosy wee place with real ales and largely local custom. Comfy
and chatty. I once left books there and came back two days later to find them
safe and being read by customers.
The
Cambridge Bar
Famous for its real ales and CAMRA pub of the year 1999, I'm told. Lunchtime
food is great. Aptly at the other end of the street from the Oxford
Bar.
Cuba
Norte
192 Morrison Street
Dizzies
http://dizzys1.tripod.com
Iona Street
Espionage
- website
Victoria Street, EH1 2EX
0131 4777 007
Trendy
and popular bar and club complex on the site of what used to be the Place in the
60's. The Lizard Lounge, the Kasbar, PRAVDA and Mata Hari all have slightly different
spy themes. The street level bar on Victoria street has fascinating portraits
of Native Americans and nice candlelight. Usual beers and lots of special offers.
Opens 5pm-3am.
Old
Chain Pier Bar - Website
32 Trinity Crescent
EH5 3ED
0131 552 1233
A totally rebuilt bar jutting out into the Forth where the
old Old Chain Pier was, dating from 1898 when the Chain Pier ticket office was
converted. The new pub - one of CAMRA Pubs of the Year 2001 - has good
beers and food, a conservatory type balcony looking out across to Fife and a maritime
feel. The old pub was a legend run by Betty Moss. Though far from today's pub,
Betty's days must be mentioned. She of indeterminate age wore square bamboo framed
glasses and electric blue kimono cum kaftan. The bar served Campbell Hope and
Kings out of most taps, but was called lager if that's what you asked for. The
walls and ceilings were festooned with beer mats and business cards and a multicolored
plastic ribbon curtain led to a small 'select'. It too had a balcony, rickety
wooden spars that took some nerve. Closing time was fun as Betty waved a sword
or brandished mock (we hope) firearms - ah such fun.
The
Old Dock Bar - Website
3/5 Dock Place, Leith,
Edinburgh
EH6
6LU
Tel: 0131 555 4474
A Free House, which is always welcome. Review pending
but their website says "One of Leith's oldest bars established in 1813, the
Old Dock Bar has been through a number of transformations over the years, more
recently as Pierre Victoire and Bar Sol. Click here for a map. It has now reverted
to its original form that is the one established many years ago - as a pub serving
real food and proper ales, boasting five hand pulled ales from an ever changing
range of beers such as Youngs, Robinsons, Woodefords, Caledonian, Harvieston and
many more" - which is good. Serves meals throughout the week. Website
has some smashing pictures of old Leith - worth a visit.
The
Oxford Bar
8 Young Street
EH2 0131 539 7119
At the
other end of the street from the Cambridge Bar. Once run by a truly eccentric
nationalist, now a lot more normal, good beer and the haunt of Ian Rankin's fictitious
Inspector Rebus.
The
Park Bar (website)
4 Alvanley Terrace (Whitehouse Loan)
EH9
1DU 0131 229 3834
Overlooking Bruntsfield Links and part of the Bruntsfield
hotel. Outside terrace, food all day, large screens for sporting events and pool
table.
Pear
Tree House
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.
Port
'O Leith
Once a real seafarers drinking den and used as a bank by
dockers. Now a bit more trendy, but still has the tradition of sailors leaving
hats. Portobello
Bar (website)
187, Portobello High St Portobello
EH15 1EU 0131 657 3287
Raeburn
House Hotel
112 Raeburn Place,
EH4 1RG 131 332 9469
OK it's a hotel, but is viewed as a bar locally. Beer garden with good food and
children ok, which is a blessing when so many places are still in the dark ages
as far as kids are concerned.
 The Royal McGregor (was Valentines)
154, High St
EH1 1QS 0131 225 7064
Great location on the Royal
Mile. Re-opening after redesign in April 2001. Good chat and wide spectrum of
locals and visitors, young and trendy and the rest of us. Excellent value steaks
and generally good food from own kitchen. Keg and cask ales plus Bruichladdich.
Fewer advocates come in than used to but still attracts local trade union hacks
and politicians as well as sensible people.
Three
Sisters (website)
139 Cowgate, Edinburgh,
EH1 1JS 0131 622
6801
Named after three sisters reputed to have stayed nearby and performed
at the Tailors Hall which used to be a playhouse. Three bars: Popular courtyard
with well, Outside bar & BBQ: American, Irish and Gothic bars and upstairs Disco.
Food and large TVs
St
Vincent
A smashing Stockbridge pub see the write up on the Rose
Street/New Town page.
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.
Southern
Bar
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.
Waverley
(website covers Fringe folk dates at the Waverley)
St Mary's Street
A real pub! The horseshoe bar takes up half the place, backing on to the windows.
Hard to set a point in time with old (Victorian?) fittings, yet 50/60's 'contemporary'
orange lamp shades in the window. Keg beers served really well and at the right
temperature. Sports an Edinburgh Festival 1998 logo on the door and posters on
the ceiling. Folk music upstairs and a Fringe venue, the Waverley has a long history
of developing and hosting some of the biggest names in Scottish folk music.
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