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Heading up for the weekend with wife and child to do the xmas market inc ice skating and stuff looking for old but elegant bars for a beer. Staying at the Hilton West End hoping to find a decent place for food reasonably priced please.
Rich
Just found the Voodoo Rooms which looks just the job anymore
www.thevoodoorooms.com
Not wanting to rain on your parade but are you sure about this? The Christmas thing on princes street is awful, tacky stalls, overcrowded, and with the bad weather this weekend will be even worse the weekend before Xmas. It is not the quaint and charming German market of a few years ago, I think poundstretcher run it now. If you want a bar in the West end the red squirrel is worth a look. Cosy and nice food not too expensive by Edinburgh standards. Voodoo rooms more of a late night club at the East end.
Do you want a traditional bar or a trendy one? Or a tourist trap in a traditional bar?
Wetherspoons is always good - they even open early so you can have a few beers whilst your wife does the shopping and takes care of your child.
Voodoo rooms is good.
I like The Cambridge too. Pop into The Oxford for a cultural experience (Ian Rankin might be in for a pint)
the Cumberland is ok too. Short walk from St Andrews square.
Voodoo Rooms sounds like what you're after, it's a nice spot.
99 Hanover is my usual - drinks selection is alright, prices are fair and the staff are great. Can be lively at the weekend with quite a loud soundtrack. Come to think of it, it's not exactly old or elegant 🤔
We have recently taken a shine to Sandy Bell's. A cosy traditional pub (not elegant though) with some good real taps on offer and a decent selection of whisky. There's often live folk music on too. You've then got Civerinos Slice just a couple of doors along for some of the best pizza you've ever had. Whilst it's not at all fancy, it works for us - probably since we're fairly local. We'll likely stop here for pizza and drinks on Saturday evening 👌🏼
Hopefully that's useful, enjoy!
PS: Hope the Xmas pressure has been nice and smooth 📨 Thankfully our office has been ticking along quite well, so far anyway!
Caley picture house, you said old and elegant. It’s a deco cinema saved by Wetherspoons. Hanging Bat a few doors up is good too. Brewdog too. Do the ghost walk and go to Harry Potter Cemetery.
Guildford in Rose St, Café Royal, Oxford (characterful if not exactly smart)as nice bars. Wotherspoons are boycotted by Remainers like myself! Eating places more towards TJ's neck of the woods (Leith), but nice: Educated Flea, Walnut; Aurora in Junction St doesn't look much but cheap with excellent food.
Have to echo comments about the German Market too I'm afraid.
Voodoo Rooms is good but it can be very busy, especially this time of year. I like Beer Kitchen too. And yeah the Caley Picture House is actually pretty interesting, despite being a spoons.
I've not been in this year but usually the top floor of the german market is pretty standard issue uk german market, but the more you get into it the nicer it is.
Speaking of traditional I was in the blue blazer a couple of Fridays ago I could swear they had the same carpet and stools as twenty years ago when I was a regular. prolly the same regulars too!
Second th Caley Picture House - a classy Wetherspoons of all things!
There's a huge selection of nice pubs and eating places in and around Leith waterfront and all within short walking distance of each other. The Roseleaf is a particular favourite. You can jump on a bus that'll take you down Leith walk. It'll be busy but nothing like the centre of town. It's got a nice vibe, by the water and lovely in the evening with the lights reflecting
the Birmingham german xmas market is better and you'd feel more at home 😉
Cambridge, Oxford, Kay’s would be my choice but I like little old pubs. West end food, ah teuchters as well.
OK for a curry down haymarket, chop chop on Morrison St as well. Kylo for steak.
Kays Bar, 6 Degrees North, Star Bar for beer bars, try Panda and Sons or Lucky Liquor for cocktails.
Fat Pony for wine.
For food try Shebeen (south African grill), Bodega (Mexican) or chop chop (dumplings).
For elegance try the Waldorf Astoria for a drink. Pricey, but an incredible setting.
All these places are in the West End/New Town.
Ignoring your old and elegant.
Kay's bar is a bit different its like a wee hoose.
Under the stairs.
Bon Vivant
Thustle street bar.
Antiquary.
Red squirrel.
Loads in leith if you're down that way.
Joseph pierce.
Hanging bat.
Walk into caley picture house look round then walk out 😃
Ventoux for a bike filled bar and german beer.
Oregano for pizza.
Bodega for tacos.
Mother India for indian.
22 bus to the shore in leith - 25 eating and drink establishments within 250m of my front door. From Michelin starred to cheap and cheerful. My favourite is the ship on the shore - seafood to die for
Edit - I realised its too long since I have been up town to recommend somewhere but Sandy Bells was always a fave
Can't argue with TJ though.
Can’t argue with TJ though.
Preserved for posterity 😉
Anyone fancy a STW beer one night?
Why not?
must admit the xmas market was not the draw just getting away somewhere different!!! daughter is a Harry Potter fan so will check out the cemetery. Leith is great but not fancying the travel!!
Think it’s called Bow Bar. Whatever it’s called it’s on Victoria Street just up from the grass market.
Tourist trap would be Sandy Bells - I’m sitting in it. The Christmas market is centred on Princess st. Everywhere else is just normal tourist Edinburgh.
If you're looking for old traditional pubs there are still a few around. The Bow Bar, Cloisters, Blue Blazer and Thomson's all spring to mind. The Canny Man's in Morningside is "quirky". The Cafe Royal (below the Voodoo Rooms) is very elegant. And if you want to impress your wife take her to The Dome. Yes it's going to be busy with loads of folk taking photos, but it really is spectacular. And if you want something a bit different try and find the detective place just off Rose Street. Can't recall the name but it is great for cocktails. Not cheap mind you. And hidden away. Really.
Cloisters or Teuchtars.
Beer in the salt horse just off the royal mile was very good. Think they do food too but haven't eaten there. Hanging bat is decent too
Cafe royale, hits your old and elegant target, love it.
Get yourself on the bus out to Dalkeith for the market experience. Sports socks, Rizla multipacks and some big white pants for the Mrs and that's your weekend sorted.
And if you want something a bit different try and find the detective place just off Rose Street. Can’t recall the name but it is great for cocktails.
Bryant & Mack.
Great shout, definitely do this. It takes some confidence to push the door open though as its that hidden.
As for travelling to leith... Edinburghs busses are great £1.70 anywhere dead frequent or just get a day ticket for a little less than two journeys. You can get the app and you don't even need cash.
Also nobeers Cafe Royal suggestion really does tick the boxes although there can be some proper bellends there.
Ronde and gamma transportation for coffee and bikes if you end up in stock bridge.
Go up Scotts monument if you get the chance not sure if its open all year round.
Thanks people if anyone fancies a drink whilst wife and daughter do the Potter tour for a couple of hours let me know 🙂
Ship on the shore is, or certainly was, good as well.
If you have an hour or so to spare, get yourself up Arthur's seat....
old but elegant bars for a beer
Spoilt for choice. If I wasn't away is happily come and show you a few.
Guildford Arms for beer, Cafe Royale next door for the elegance and Oysters if you like. Just off St Andrews Sq.
Heading back West, I'd say Teuchters, or have a stroll round Stockbridge in the evening - it's nice and christmassy in itself with trees up in all the old buildings. Look for Kay's bar for novelty (in a good way).
Cheers for the info guys looking forward to the trip and the weather looks good 🙂
Enjoy!
Pitt Street market is on tomorrow aswell i think.
Basically head away from town towards leith its really the best option.
The weather is always good in Edinburgh.
kennyp
The Canny Man’s in Morningside is “quirky”.
Pretty good chance the OP is barred though.
Bow bar...location and beer
Teuchters...nice.
Guildford arms...classic
Kay’s bar...cute
Thomson’s
Blue blazer...variable these days.
Hanging bat.
Cloisters
Oxford bar...brill.
Cambridge bar
Dagda...quiet hideaway pub.
Panda and sons...is fun.
All good depending what you like.
Star bar...hidden away...something different.