Edinburgh afternoon out

You've a marvellous choice!

The 'three-line whip' pubs are my favourite, the Bow Bar in Bow Street just off the Royal Mile, The Halfway House, in the narrow ginnel (sorry, bit of Yorkshire there) between Waverley Station and the Royal Mile, The Guildford Hotel and Cafe Royal, next door to each other in West Register Street (New Town), and, if you fancy a trip down to Leith (and you can get an all day bus ticket for next to nothing), The Malt and Hops, overlooking the harbour.

Some excellent beers at these and so many others, but here's a challenge - can you find a pub that doesn't sell Deuchars IPA!!??

I will take that challange! I was thinking about a quick raid on Leith as I went there once as a courier (no drinking and driving). Ginnel? yes, quite exceptable, it's the "back entrys" you have to be careful of.

KW

...and in addition to the others you'll undoubtedly get I really recommend the "Rebus" pub

..and my other must visit is the Jolly Judge:

Thanks for the help..

Ken.

Another one ... I had a great time in here:

Very atmospheric but CAN GET NOISY

I think it did, but it was the Froach that did the damage !

C.

Good to know Bannerman's is still going: it's got to be one of my favourite bars ever - especially the Sunday brunch!

Ah yes, I forgot Bannermans. Bit young and vibrant for me (being over

50 and the opposite of 'vibrant') but a decent pint, and about the only place in Edinburgh you can guarantee Fraoch.

Spectacular setting though, penetrating, as it does, the vaults under the South Bridge. If you've time do go on one of the tours of the vaults

- Bannermans is right by the big arch in the diagram, which is Cowgate)

I note that the "other" GBG 2009 Leith pub, The Old Dock (think that's the right name) is now closed - looks like they shut up shop immediately after Christmas as the Xmas menu is still in the window ... Malt & Hops was fine, but empty mid afternoon.

M Platt> >

Empty? almost a bonus, as I'm quite adept at drinking without an audiance.

No mention as yet, of the Wetherspoons (3) in the area but, they *will* have a visit none the less.

I have come across some lovely bottled ale from Alloa (williams bros) recently so would like to find some on draught if possible

I strongly advise against the 'Foot of the Walk' in Leith. Poor beer, seedy clientele and worst of all, uncontrollable kids tearing round the place bumping into people, while the staff just looked on. We were going to say something, but no, nobody else seemed to mind - this was obviously the way the locals liked it. What right did we, as one-off offcumdens have to unbalance the status quo. (Ok I'll be honest - we didn't want to risk the wrath of an aggressive Scotsman!)

The Playfair is in a modern shopping/sports centre and is much more like a Lloyds. An uncomfortable pub - all high bar stools and echo-y.

The Standing Order in George Street is your best bet. Not far from the Guildford and Cafe Royal mentioned earleir, its back entrance is onto Rose Street which has a reputation as Edinburgh's main pub run (some indeed in the GBG). The Standing Order is much more of a traditional Wetherspoons (is that an oxymoron?) - an impressive converted bank, complete with a wonderful safe on show. Should be fine in the afternoon but as many JDW's becomes heaving in the evening.

Thanks for that (Miles?), I have seen photos of the interior of the "Standing Order" and so thats one of the three which deserves a visit. A couple of years ago I was suitably impressed by the Ayr 'spoons called "The Kirk" and yet another excellent change of use/alteration.

Ken (only 17 days to go).

back passages in e yorks!!!