Edinburgh Locals: Bar recommendations for a Somerset PH'er?

[AngryApples]

Hi all,

coming up to Edinburgh with the Mrs next weekend (Friday - Monday), and I wondered if you could make some recommendations for some decent bars/places to visit that might not be in the general tourist recommendations?

Bar wise looking for somewhere quality, bit of music is fine, but nowhere where ear plugs would be needed (would be great to hear the "in bars", along with the likelihood of getting in!)

Thanks for any help you can give,

AA (Matt)

[Malcster]

Where are you staying?
What kind of bars do you like?

As a rough guide I'd say...

Homely feeling old style bars - Grassmarket, Royal Mile, or Rose Street.

Trendy neon lights bars - George Street

[ALY77]

Cider business Mr Apples?!?

"In" street is George Street. It has a couple of Weatherspoons too though so you wont be completely bankrupted (Standing Order & Alexander Graham Bell).
Rose Street runs parallel with George St, about 20 yards to the south and has a variety of less fashionable place that on the whole are still worth a look.

Decent area is George IV Bridge with another bar round the corner on Chambers St.

If you're with the wife and not on a stag/student drunken antics tour then you might want to steer clear of the Cowgate/Grassmarket area as the night gets on.

There are quite literally hundreds of pubs though even just in the city centre so you should be sorted. There is a well established gay friendly area too around the Broughton/Piccardy area too which I'm told can be a good night still but you may wish to steer clear.

[AngryApples]

Cheers chaps!

Yup, with Mrs AA (not Cider Biz, just Somerset born and bred!)

Looking for trendy but cosy?

(burgundy and comfy leather type thing perhaps?)

Staying at the Bonham (EH3 7RN)

Edited by AngryApples on Friday 26th November 21:10

[SXi Lad]

The Standing Order is a good shout. Fairly cheap drinks and has a nice atmosphere.

[ALY77]

Your closest would be Ryan's Bar & The Rutland at the west end, five mins walk (even for Mrs AA in heels probably).

http://www.therutlandhotel.com/bar-rutland-hotel.h...

http://www.caley-heritable.co.uk/discover.htm

[shooomer]

Bonham is near my house
West Room and Sygn are close to hotel

[sherman]

Try Hamiltons Bar and grill in Stockbridge.
http://www.hamiltonsedinburgh.co.uk/

Its where we hold the edinlushes and has comfy sofas, good food and the musics not too bad either.

[AngryApples]

Thanks!

[AngryApples]

Is there anywhere that would afford a good view of the castle at night?

[sherman]

I cant think of any pubs but as the christmas market at Princes street gardens is on now take a walk through it at night and there will be good views of the castle from there.

[Famous Graham]

Oloroso on George St does, it's a rooftop bar & restaurant. Bit posh and not cheap, but stunning view.

The entrance is around the corner on Castle St.

http://www.oloroso.co.uk/index.html

[Leithen]

The Guildford Arms opposite the Balmoral (just off East End of Princes St).

The Abbotsford on Rose Street, behind Jenners.

Owned and operated by Pistonheaders

[AngryApples]

This is great stuff

Leithen - YHM!

FG - quite happy to splash a bit of cash to get the right views and places, cheeers for the info!

Edited by AngryApples on Saturday 27th November 16:14

[Famous Graham]

Leithen said:

The Guildford Arms opposite the Balmoral (just off East End of Princes St).

The Abbotsford on Rose Street, behind Jenners.

Owned and operated by Pistonheaders

I never knew that. I might have to pop in over Christmas, wearing a PH fleece

[shooomer]

Famous Graham said:

Oloroso on George St does, it's a rooftop bar & restaurant. Bit posh and not cheap, but stunning view.

The entrance is around the corner on Castle St.

http://www.oloroso.co.uk/index.html

I think it has closed down?

[Leithen]

Famous Graham said:

Leithen said:

The Guildford Arms opposite the Balmoral (just off East End of Princes St).

The Abbotsford on Rose Street, behind Jenners.

Owned and operated by Pistonheaders

I never knew that. I might have to pop in over Christmas, wearing a PH fleece

It'll keep you warm if nothing else....

[CooperS]

shooomer said:

Famous Graham said:

Oloroso on George St does, it's a rooftop bar & restaurant. Bit posh and not cheap, but stunning view.

The entrance is around the corner on Castle St.

http://www.oloroso.co.uk/index.html

I think it has closed down?

Certainly hasn't, and is a nice chilled out place for a few nice cocktails before a night out. Although it isn't cheap it certainly a nice place to be and the food is great (ime)

Tempest is also nice on George street and my local Hectors in Stockbridge is a great pub.

[AngryApples]

Slightly OT here, but I note the comment above about wearing a PH fleece into a PH'ers pub and whilst thats probably in jest it constantly frustrates me that PH don't come up with a subtle button hole pin and clasp style PH badge that you could quite happily wear with most things

Even at the likes of Goodwood, the amount of PH'ers that must pass each other by, or when it comes to PH pub meets if you didn't want to wear a PH T Shirt/Polo/Mankini it would be a subtle ID to avoid weird smiles and "Excuse me mate, are you....." type conversations!

[AngryApples]

Is Voodoo Rooms any cop?

Looks pretty cool inside on the website and the menu whilst nice doesnt look that expensive?