Talk to me about nights out in Edinburgh
Discussion
Me and 3 mates are going up there for a long weekend to watch the Wales v Scotland match.
We are staying pretty central (cant remember the name of the hotel) so where should we go and avoid?
One of the mates has taken it upon himself to order us all a sheep outfit (see below) and is insisting we wear it to the match and for the night out afterwards. Now im all for having a laugh and have no problems wearing it for the match but not so sure about the night out. I see it as the same thing as walking around with a sign on you saying 'we are welsh, we look like idiots, feel free to give as a pasting'. Also on nights out id rather make an effort and dress smart so dressing up as a sheep is going to be waaaaay out of my comfort zone (cue welsh sheep related jokes).
I guess im looking for someone to say 'loads of places will turn you away if you turn up dressed as a sheep'. But failing that a list of where to go and where to avoid would be just as good.
The outfit
We are staying pretty central (cant remember the name of the hotel) so where should we go and avoid?
One of the mates has taken it upon himself to order us all a sheep outfit (see below) and is insisting we wear it to the match and for the night out afterwards. Now im all for having a laugh and have no problems wearing it for the match but not so sure about the night out. I see it as the same thing as walking around with a sign on you saying 'we are welsh, we look like idiots, feel free to give as a pasting'. Also on nights out id rather make an effort and dress smart so dressing up as a sheep is going to be waaaaay out of my comfort zone (cue welsh sheep related jokes).
I guess im looking for someone to say 'loads of places will turn you away if you turn up dressed as a sheep'. But failing that a list of where to go and where to avoid would be just as good.
The outfit
That is an epic outfit - do it!
I lived in Edinburgh from 1982-1988 and went to the majority of the five nations matches.
In those days the Welsh and Irish in particular were welcomed with open arms as the whole place became a Friday/Saturday/Sunday rugby drinkathon.
I may be wrong but I'd image that not much has changed since (apart from the rampant anti-English nonsense that a lot of my former countrymen now spout, that is).
I lived in Edinburgh from 1982-1988 and went to the majority of the five nations matches.
In those days the Welsh and Irish in particular were welcomed with open arms as the whole place became a Friday/Saturday/Sunday rugby drinkathon.
I may be wrong but I'd image that not much has changed since (apart from the rampant anti-English nonsense that a lot of my former countrymen now spout, that is).
LOL at the costume.
Apologies as I don't follow rugby but do live in Edinburgh... I walked through the Grassmarket when England vs Scotland was on. It was pretty hectic in most of the bars there; didn't see anyone getting KBed.
I'd suggest taking a backpack or something you can chuck the costumes in if bouncers do start getting arsey.
In terms of places to go:
Pubs
- 3 sisters on Cowgate have an outdoor screen and bar.
- Most Grassmarket pubs are fine for rugby/beer.
- Hanging Bat Cafe on Lothian Road or Brewdog bar on Cowgate if you want to try different beers.
- Bow Bar on Victoria street for Real Ale.
- Chanter on Bread Street for a "younger" crowd.
- Ghillie Dhu is nice, but no idea if they'll have the match on.
Bars
- George IV bridge has Bar Khol, Frankensteins, Villager and Vodka Rev.
There are plenty of clubs, suggest you look up what nights are on at each, here are some names:
- Ghillie Dhu - expensive but usually better crowds. Think you need to be upstairs by 11 to get free entry (though it's a wrist band so you can come back).
- Lava Ignite (formerly Cav) - usually full of slags.
- Hive - good music but full of 16 year olds.
- HMV Picture House - see above.
Alternatively, head along to George Street. Lots of choice of bars and clubs there!
After that there are a few casinos. My favourite is Gentings at Fountain Park, but there are others which are more central.
Apologies as I don't follow rugby but do live in Edinburgh... I walked through the Grassmarket when England vs Scotland was on. It was pretty hectic in most of the bars there; didn't see anyone getting KBed.
I'd suggest taking a backpack or something you can chuck the costumes in if bouncers do start getting arsey.
In terms of places to go:
Pubs
- 3 sisters on Cowgate have an outdoor screen and bar.
- Most Grassmarket pubs are fine for rugby/beer.
- Hanging Bat Cafe on Lothian Road or Brewdog bar on Cowgate if you want to try different beers.
- Bow Bar on Victoria street for Real Ale.
- Chanter on Bread Street for a "younger" crowd.
- Ghillie Dhu is nice, but no idea if they'll have the match on.
Bars
- George IV bridge has Bar Khol, Frankensteins, Villager and Vodka Rev.
There are plenty of clubs, suggest you look up what nights are on at each, here are some names:
- Ghillie Dhu - expensive but usually better crowds. Think you need to be upstairs by 11 to get free entry (though it's a wrist band so you can come back).
- Lava Ignite (formerly Cav) - usually full of slags.
- Hive - good music but full of 16 year olds.
- HMV Picture House - see above.
Alternatively, head along to George Street. Lots of choice of bars and clubs there!
After that there are a few casinos. My favourite is Gentings at Fountain Park, but there are others which are more central.
bicycleshorts said:
I'd suggest taking a backpack or something you can chuck the costumes in if bouncers do start getting arsey.
In terms of places to go:
Pubs
- 3 sisters on Cowgate have an outdoor screen and bar.
we held my mate's Divorce Party in Edinburgh - we stayed at the 3 Sisters, the bouncers were dead on; there was a bloke there on a stagger with (plastic) pint glasses strapped to his hands and in a Stig outfit, so shouldn't be a problem...added bonus; outdoor bar and outdoor DJ...!In terms of places to go:
Pubs
- 3 sisters on Cowgate have an outdoor screen and bar.
militantmandy said:
For a proper beer selection try the Brauhaus just off Tollcross. Brew Dog is crap!
On a weekend Brauhaus is always packed with very little seating. Admittedly they do have a bigger selection of beers, though it's pretty much all bottles you can buy in the supermarket (with the exception of the German and Belgian beers!).The staff at Brewdog (and most of the clientele) are a bit up their own arse, but it's still a good pub with good beer. Why do you think it's crap?
The Welsh are usually here in force come a six nations match and are welcomed with open arms in the city. You are unlikely to get a pasting on the basis of being dressed as sheep or being Welsh, there will likely be as many Welsh folk in the pubs with you as Scots.
The three most central drinking areas;
Grassmarket/Cowgate = Stag/Hen parties mostly come the weekend (and rugby fans come six nations)
George IV Bridge area = Mixed bag of people, couple of well attended Vodka bars already named.
George Street = Most places here cater for people with money and taste. Also attended by people who pretend they have money and taste. Still get a mixed clientele all the same but this is the area you are most likely to be refused entry in a sheep suit, unless you visit one of the two Weatherspoons which are also on the street (Standing Order & Alexander Graham Bell)
Unless you are inclined to eye up the guys rather than the girls you may wish to avoid the pubs around the Playhouse theatre area, its known as the Pink triangle as the pink pound is most often spend there. In truth its on the opposite side of the city centre from Murrayfield so you aren't going to stumble in to the area easily.
At the western end of the Grassmarket (the West Port) there is also the "Pubic triangle". There are three "specialist" bars beside each other which will relieve you of your hard earned faster than you ever thought possible. You may wish to visit or avoid these accordingly!
Point to note - Make sure you really know where your hotel is, there are many chains with more than one in town, you may end up with directions to the wrong Apex or the wrong Best Western. As for Premier Inn and Travel Lodge, they have in the region of ten each dotted all over, if you are in one of them, have the address in your wallet!
For getting about you could do worse than have a couple of taxi numbers in your phone - The biggest two black cab companies are City Cabs on 0131 228 1211 and Central Taxis 0131 229 2468.
City Cabs also have an Android and Iphone app you could download in advance. It can use GPS to identify your pick up point so even if you don't know where you are, the cab will find you!
The three most central drinking areas;
Grassmarket/Cowgate = Stag/Hen parties mostly come the weekend (and rugby fans come six nations)
George IV Bridge area = Mixed bag of people, couple of well attended Vodka bars already named.
George Street = Most places here cater for people with money and taste. Also attended by people who pretend they have money and taste. Still get a mixed clientele all the same but this is the area you are most likely to be refused entry in a sheep suit, unless you visit one of the two Weatherspoons which are also on the street (Standing Order & Alexander Graham Bell)
Unless you are inclined to eye up the guys rather than the girls you may wish to avoid the pubs around the Playhouse theatre area, its known as the Pink triangle as the pink pound is most often spend there. In truth its on the opposite side of the city centre from Murrayfield so you aren't going to stumble in to the area easily.
At the western end of the Grassmarket (the West Port) there is also the "Pubic triangle". There are three "specialist" bars beside each other which will relieve you of your hard earned faster than you ever thought possible. You may wish to visit or avoid these accordingly!
Point to note - Make sure you really know where your hotel is, there are many chains with more than one in town, you may end up with directions to the wrong Apex or the wrong Best Western. As for Premier Inn and Travel Lodge, they have in the region of ten each dotted all over, if you are in one of them, have the address in your wallet!
For getting about you could do worse than have a couple of taxi numbers in your phone - The biggest two black cab companies are City Cabs on 0131 228 1211 and Central Taxis 0131 229 2468.
City Cabs also have an Android and Iphone app you could download in advance. It can use GPS to identify your pick up point so even if you don't know where you are, the cab will find you!
Aly has got it right, you will have to be really unlucky or stupid to get into bother on a rugby weekend and most peeps will love the sheep suits. BTW certain parts of Scotland are also nicknamed sheep shaggers, including one well known Scottish regiment!
I think your sheep suits are hilarious and it would be a sad pub that wouldnt have a flock of you guys in.
G
I think your sheep suits are hilarious and it would be a sad pub that wouldnt have a flock of you guys in.
G
bicycleshorts said:
On a weekend Brauhaus is always packed with very little seating. Admittedly they do have a bigger selection of beers, though it's pretty much all bottles you can buy in the supermarket (with the exception of the German and Belgian beers!).
The staff at Brewdog (and most of the clientele) are a bit up their own arse, but it's still a good pub with good beer. Why do you think it's crap?
You're not wrong about the seating in the Brauhaus. I'd argue though that there are a LOT (dozens!) of beers in there you won't find in the supermarket.The staff at Brewdog (and most of the clientele) are a bit up their own arse, but it's still a good pub with good beer. Why do you think it's crap?
As for Brewdog:
I really don't like their beer, I find nearly everything has a very sharp, sour aftertaste with the exception of 5am saint and punk IPA. Also, they don't sell ANYTHING "normal" so if you don't like their stuff (or one in your group doesn't) you're pumped.
Obviously it's pretty subjective, but I found that when a group of us went a couple of times (novelty), it was not long at all before folk were wishing they were in a pub that served something else. I've never seen so many unfinished pints in one bar!
Lot more years than I care to remember ,we used to go on courses in Edinburgh . May not be the same now, but on the last night a trip down Rose St was the norm. Walked down ,and later staggered back . Too many pubs, not enough time . Only one pub we used to avoid -the Rose St version of the police Acedemy "Blue Oyster" .
militantmandy said:
As for Brewdog:
I really don't like their beer, I find nearly everything has a very sharp, sour aftertaste with the exception of 5am saint and punk IPA. Also, they don't sell ANYTHING "normal" so if you don't like their stuff (or one in your group doesn't) you're pumped.
Usually at least 4 guest draught beers on and about 30-40 bottled beers from other breweries.I really don't like their beer, I find nearly everything has a very sharp, sour aftertaste with the exception of 5am saint and punk IPA. Also, they don't sell ANYTHING "normal" so if you don't like their stuff (or one in your group doesn't) you're pumped.
militantmandy said:
You're not wrong about the seating in the Brauhaus. I'd argue though that there are a LOT (dozens!) of beers in there you won't find in the supermarket.
As for Brewdog:
I really don't like their beer, I find nearly everything has a very sharp, sour aftertaste with the exception of 5am saint and punk IPA. Also, they don't sell ANYTHING "normal" so if you don't like their stuff (or one in your group doesn't) you're pumped.
Obviously it's pretty subjective, but I found that when a group of us went a couple of times (novelty), it was not long at all before folk were wishing they were in a pub that served something else. I've never seen so many unfinished pints in one bar!
You're right about the other drinks. I'm not allowed in with the missus as she normally just drinks coke and they were out of all soft drinks last time we went!As for Brewdog:
I really don't like their beer, I find nearly everything has a very sharp, sour aftertaste with the exception of 5am saint and punk IPA. Also, they don't sell ANYTHING "normal" so if you don't like their stuff (or one in your group doesn't) you're pumped.
Obviously it's pretty subjective, but I found that when a group of us went a couple of times (novelty), it was not long at all before folk were wishing they were in a pub that served something else. I've never seen so many unfinished pints in one bar!
They also got a bit arsey when she had a vodka lemonade which tasted of tequila (no idea why!). I had to get some random bloke at the bar to "guess the drink" before they'd take it back.
vixen1700 said:
matlee said:
Tell you what would have been a laugh, if one of you had dressed up as a sheep dog.
Before anyone else says it let me just add,,, "You sheep, get out you're baaaaa'd".
Edited by Tonto on Sunday 17th February 09:40
vixen1700 said:
matlee said:
Tell you what would have been a laugh, if one of you had dressed up as a sheep dog.
Before anyone else says it let me just add,,, "You sheep, get out you're baaaaa'd".
Edited by Tonto on Sunday 17th February 10:06
Tonto said:
brilliant outfit, although it looks a bit tight in the hind quarter's.
Tell you what would have been a laugh, if one of you had dressed up as a sheep dog.
Before anyone else says it let me just add,,, "You sheep, get out you're baaaaa'd".
It is very tight! Although its been dropped off at the mother's for her to work her magic on altering it.Tell you what would have been a laugh, if one of you had dressed up as a sheep dog.
Before anyone else says it let me just add,,, "You sheep, get out you're baaaaa'd".
Edited by Tonto on Sunday 17th February 09:40
Turns out that the mate who has sorted out the outfits has bought himself a farmer's outfit!
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions so far.
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