Ryan's Pub Reviews - Cloisters Bar

CLOISTERS BAR, BROUGHAM STREET
Pint of Lager - £3.90
For those adventurous people keen on sampling craft beers and real ales, then this church styled pub in Tollcross just might be your perfect place. For others, like myself, who wish to indulge in a bit of banter and be entertained, not so much. With an open fire and wooden tables, Cloisters is a good place to meet and catch up with friends. However, there is not really a lot to it. No televisions, games machines or even music here and the atmosphere seemed a bit flat, albeit I did go on a Monday night. I normally always order a Tennents or Carling on my pub trails but none were present here so after sampling a few different tipples ( from the kind barman) I settled on a pint of West 4.9%. Decent but a bit too sweet. Still, its hard not to be impressed by the vast amounts of whiskys, wines and world beers on display. There were also advertisements for festival events whereby you can go in and try the different beers, something I may well visit if in the area. Again, its a place that will divide opinion and it really depends on what you are looking for. Not bad by any means however.
7/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Golf Tavern

THE GOLF TAVERN, WRIGHTS HOUSES
Pint of Lager - £3.60

After sampling a delicious fish supper up the road, me and David decided to quench our thirsts in this old looking pub beside Bruntsfield Links, on the recommendation of one of his friends.

It is two floored although only the ground was open on this quiet Monday evening. Despite a small amount of customers being present, the lone barman seemed to be overseeing the running of the whole pub ( fairly large) and was struggling somewhat. It took him more than a couple of attempts to pour Davids pint of Guinness and even then it wasn't up to standard, my Carling being fairly disappointing aswell.

That aside, this is an impressive place, and one certainly geared for sports fans. Four large televisions cover the area and there are seats and tables galore. I was told later on that is one of the oldest pubs in the capital and it certainly retains that feel. The walls and ceiling are beautifully decorated with old newspapers and memorabilia from time gone by, including swords, a shotgun and the obligatory stag's head. You can also rent clubs to play pitch and putt at the park just across the road, another nice touch.

A shame about the drinks but it may genuinely have been a one off. Give this place a try.

7/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Halfway House

THE HALFWAY HOUSE, FLESHMARKET CLOSE
Pint of Lager - £3.60


Tucked halfway (ironically) down a side street connecting Market Street and the Royal Mile, this place could be identified as part of my inspiration for the entire pub crawl journey. After a visit back in 2012, I spotted an Edinburgh and Lothians pub crawl poster on the wall and thought it might be fun to try one day. Said poster is still on the wall today although at £4.70 to purchase, I settled for a cheeky snapshot instead. Inside, the Halfway House is small, really small and even on this dreich afternoon, with around 20 patrons present it did feel a tad cramped. Its cosy though, a living room type atmosphere with comfortable seating and a small television. Everyone seemed friendly and courteous and around half were tourists. I struck up a conversation with the elderly barman and although mildly eccentric, he seemed genuinely enthusiastic about what I was doing and gave me the usual glowing recommendations and 'stay the fuck away from that place' warnings. He got it bang on though when he glanced at my Tennents and said "Why do you drink that shite for?" It certainly wasn't the best pint I'd ever had. A nice place overall then, but the claustrophobic and those looking for private chat may want to venture elsewhere.


7.5/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Westroom

THE WESTROOM, MELVILLE PLACE
Pint of Lager - £4.20
One of the fun things about doing a pub tour round Edinburgh is exploring places you've never been to and finding places you've never heard of. The Westroom was completely unknown to me but although expensive and fairly upmarket, was a pleasant experience.

Billing itself as a cafe-bar, the interior is t-shaped, with a very long bar and two person booths opposite. Further seating is found to the left and a staircase on the other side leads down to the toilets. As mentioned before, the place is pricey and has more of a 'couples' feel to it, the kind of place you'd want to go to impress your girlfriend on a first date. The lager was very sweet, not the usual acquired taste I'm used to but something different and still very enjoyable.

Feeling peckish, I sampled some of the nuts ( shoosh guys), although at nearly 3 quid and coming in a small dish, this was a far cry from the wee packet of KP's you'll find in your local boozer. Can't have too many complaints about this place overall, pop in for a drink if your passing but if your planning to staying a while, it's gonna cost you.

7/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Conan Doyle

THE CONAN DOYLE, YORK PLACE

Pint of Lager - £3.65
Had previously visited the Conan Doyle once before, way back in 2010 and thought a return was long overdue. Can honestly say apart from a lick of paint (black looks better than green) and the removal of the games machine, not a lot has changed. Not that this is any bad thing.

The inside is split over two levels with the lower mainly for those wishing to indulge in traditional pub grub. Sharing a name with the famous Sherlock Holmes author, its no mystery to see why this is a popular place for tourists, many of whom were American and watching the golf on this particular evening. The interior is historical and well decorated, with portraits of ACD himself alongside many other photo frames and a large built in bookcase. Although the service was a bit slow, it was worth the wait and I enjoyed a fine lager, the first on my return from sunny Portugal.

Entertainment wise however, there doesn't seem to be too much going on here, no pub quizzes or karaokes mentioned and indeed the removal of the games machine means its pretty much a case of chat and/or eat.

A good place to go for a pint or two at the start of a night but I don't reckon its somewhere you'd stay for too long.

7.5/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - Panda & Sons

PANDA AND SONS, QUEEN STREET
Pint of Lager - £4.20
A pub that looks absolutely nothing like a pub. If you were unaware of this place you would stroll past without a second glance, thinking it was a shut down barbers.That is exactly what makes it unique though, a staircase leading down to a revolving bookcase door and into a large modernised boozer. We were immediately greeted by a pretty maitre'd who ushered us into a back seat area.

An extensive drinks menu was then given to us, as well as glasses of water and a bowl of popcorn. I'm allergic to corn and literally one bite could kill me but the poor lass wasn't to know that. I normally settle for a pint of Tennent's in every pub but this was not on offer here so a Camden it was. Nice but pricey. But it was the impressive interior and quirky production design that really caught my eye. Hairdresser style seats are present, along with an old fashioned telephone booth and vinyl record player. Even the toilet walls were creatively designed with haircut styles.

Always feel bad looking for negatives in places like this but there is absolutely no phone signal and no wi-fi as far as I was aware. Again though, this can work as a positive and encourage you to engage in conversation and take in the impressive surroundings.
P.S I will now be taking and uploading three photos with every review, just to give readers a wee bit more insight!



8.5/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Merlin

THE MERLIN, MORNINGSIDE ROAD
Pint of Lager - £3.70
Visited this large pub late on the same night as Canny Man's, spotting it just further up the road. It is indeed very big and Wetherspoons-like in appearance and interior although not quite reflected in the lager prices. There are vast amounts of tables, chairs and benches, most of them empty on this Monday night but ideal for sporting events ( four large televisions) general nights out or special occasions ( I was told there is a function room upstairs).

The food menu consists mainly of traditional pub grub and there is a separate level at the back for dining, where a couple of games machine sit. What I found most impressive was the outdoor seating, perfect for a Summers day/night, if we do indeed ever get one.

Not a classic then but simple in its effectiveness.

7/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Canny Man's

THE CANNY MAN'S, MORNINGSIDE ROAD
Pint of Lager - £3.85
Heard tales about this place for a long time, many of them mixed opinions, and decided a visit was essential. The famous plaque outside prohibiting the use of cameras, mobiles and backpacks was present although seemed to be more of a joke as we played unharmed with our phones inside. The Canny Man resembles something more of a medieval museum than a pub, with swords and armour decorating the wall, a historic lobby and a rag dressed dummy hanging from the ceiling.

Of the two bars, one is stocked so full, it genuinely looks like every drink on the planet is on show. Surely the most fussiest of patrons can be satisfied here. Mines was a Tennents and it was beautifully poured and crisp tasting. As for seating, there are three main rooms, with little pockets of space dotted around and adequate tables and chairs for couples or groups.

So now for the down points and the class division was always gonna come up. Canny Mans is situated in Morningside, very much a part of upper class Edinburgh. You see, I have no problem with people having money, or power or a ridiculously posh accent, its fine. But when its to the detriment of how you treat those less fortunate that it becomes a problem. The staff were immediately suspicious of us upon arrival, indeed a moody Irish barmaid seemed to be on security alert and scoped our every move. Ok, I might not speak like Tony Blair or wear an Armani suit but I didn't exactly have a needle hanging out my arm. This made for a bit of an uncomfortable experience and spoiled what is a truly excellent venue.

A bit less snobbery and this could easily have been a 10
7/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Waverly

THE WAVERLEY, ST MARY'S STREET
Pint of Lager - £3.70
Tried this place several times in recent weeks only to find it always being closed. However, on Friday night I caught a lucky break, spotting the interior lights on and breezed inside. It honestly felt like stepping into a time capsule. To call the place old fashioned is an understatement, it genuinely doesn't look like its been touched in about half a century although this does add to the uniqueness.

There are two floors, the upstairs resembling something of a 1950's living room with a fireplace and sofa type seating with very thin tables. There is also a tiny stage and a boarded up, unused bar and very old music posters decorating the walls. Soft classical music was playing and it generally just felt like a nice place to chill and have a conversation.

The foreign staff were friendly and the rumour that free crisps are handed out to customers is true, although none were available on this night. But its definitely not for everyone. Its refusal to adapt to technology will no doubt have held it back somewhat ( no televisions, pool tables or jukeboxes) and there is literally only Tennent's (mines was ok) and Guinness on tap with a small range of other drinks available.

However, if you want somewhere to come and have a catch up with friends and a wee glimpse into the past then this is the place for you.

8/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - Shakespeares

SHAKESPEARE'S, LOTHIAN ROAD
Pint of Lager - £3.38
Another one of those familiar places you've passed for years but never bothered to venture into. Situated right beside the Usher Hall, I was taken aback by the sheer size of the place upon entering. It is massive and has endless tables, chairs, benches and sofas all spread evenly over its huge, impressive interior.

If you are looking for sport and/or entertainment then you are in luck, five large televisions situated above the bar and beyond and five games machines sit on the back wall also. Quiz nights and a karaoke were also well advertised on chalkboards throughout.

An extensive food menu was on the table and despite it looking rather tasty for a decent price, I opted for a bag of roasted nuts instead. Happy to say the toilets were much more up to standard in this venue and I also enjoyed a bit of footy banter with a fellow footy fan inside. Indeed, the only real downside was the drink.

Similar to Fiddlers Arms, it was dry and fairly tasteless. And despite it being a cheaper and unusual price ( the barman was unsure why) it was not what I was craving. Shame as it was poured by a very polite young gentleman who I engaged in conversation with for over five minutes. He seemed genuinely interested in the journey I was undertaking and also strongly recommended a steak house on Rose Street that his friend worked in.

Just a shame the drink was so bad as this place had potential to be a 10.
8/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - Ryan's Bar

RYAN'S BAR, HOPE STREET
Pint of Lager - £3.65
This place should get a solid 10/10 simply for having the best male forename in the world. But I don't work that way. A cafe bar situated at the west end of town, it was let down by grim bar staff ( although it was near the end of the night to be fair) and yet another dodgy pint ( no excuse ), my third bad drink in succession.

A shame as it seems a genuinely good place, the many pictures on the far wall show it is proud of its Edinburgh roots and there are impressive, dome shaped ceilings high above the large bar. A couple of televisions are on display although this is not a sports venue. Instead, it had a studenty feel to it, with large groups of youngsters congregating in the many tables, though the small, two seated tables at the far side were ideal for couples.

A small outdoor area was accessible although no smoking was allowed, somewhat of a slight inconvenience for those who do partake in the habit. Food is served throughout although this was way past eating hours and the front part area was closed off.

Another mixed bag but definitely somewhere with potential. And indeed a great name.

6.5/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - Fiddlers Arms

FIDDLERS ARMS, GRASSMARKET
Pint of Lager - £3.90

There is nothing quite like Edinburgh in the sunshine, particularly the Grassmarket and last night I thought I'd try the Fiddlers Arms, the one pub in the area that I'd never visited before. Billed as a 'Traditional Scottish pub', we spent a lot of it outdoors in the comfortable seating and lapping up the evening heat.

The lager was overpriced and not the best, somewhat of a dry taste and not the fresh, ice cold pint I'd been so desperately craving. The pub itself was pretty impressive with large windows at the front pulled open to allow the air in, quite a good idea on this glorious night. Pub grub was also on sale and served throughout. The inside was well catered for with tables and chairs on both sides of the well stocked, central bar and there was a nice touch of an 'Alcohol Analyzer' machine, the first of its kind that I'd ever seen. What let it down though was the restrooms.

A massive cracked mirror greeted me inside, with a decaying radiator and wet toilet paper scattered around the floor. This area is in desperate need of some repairs and is probably the worst toilets I've seen on the pub journey so far.

That, allied with the disappointing drink means I can only give this an average score.

6.5/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - No.1. High Street

NO.1 HIGH STREET, ROYAL MILE
Pint of Lager - £3.85
After finding the nearby Waverley bar closed, we desperately needed to take shelter from the torrential Monday night rain and decided upon this pub on the corner. It was very busy, with not a seat to be had, including the large area through the back.

We soon realised a quiz night was starting in 20 minutes so this was the reason. In terms of the pub itself, it has a very large selection of ales and wines and is well furnished, its upcoming events and promotions marketed on a large board high on the wall. A television is also present on the opposite side, although completely out of view from one side. Not a particular good place for groups, as the tables were mainly small and seemed to be only adequate for two or three people.

I was disappointed with the staff, they seemed a bit too task orientated and unapproachable and the young barman was particularly glum. And the expensive Tennents wasn't particularly great either. Maybe it was just the wrong time to go in but I can't rate this place any higher than decent.

6/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Worlds End

THE WORLDS END, HIGH STREET, OLD TOWN
Pint of Lager - £3.90

Most of us have heard of the infamous 'Worlds End Murders' that took place in the late 1970's and resulted in the tragic death of two young women. That has no absolutely no bearing on my review whatsoever, although you'd think the owners may have considered changing the name of the pub some time ago.

The place is split into two, with a restaurant area occupying the bottom. The top half is small but warm and cosy, resembling something of an old-fashioned living room, comfortable seating and two televisions, with a fruit machine in the corner. Above the bar is finely decorated with foreign notes from time gone by, easy to imagine in such a tourist dominated place ( I think we were the only Scots inside).

The stone walls are impressive and blend in well with the more modern architecture. I genuinely felt very relaxed and was in no rush to leave. Nearly 4 pounds for a pint is expensive though and the Worlds End t-shirts on sale gives it a bit of a 'cash cow' feel.

Saying that though, it is still very impressive and the 'award winning fish and chips' sign in the restaurant area means I'll be coming back for food one day soon.

8/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - Grey Horse

GREY HORSE, DALKEITH ROAD

Pint of Lager - £2.90
Average is the best way to describe this small boozer, situated just up the road from Cameron Toll. Certainly not as 'family friendly' as advertised on its website, there was a slight edge in the air and more than a few sweary drunks exchanging very loud insults across the bar, albeit in a banterous way.

The positives are in the seating, it is adequate and comfortable and the four large screens make it ideal for watching sport, as was the case last night. Although, I cheered just a bit too loudly when Motherwell got their second goal, attracting a bit of unwanted attention. The usual jukebox and fruit machine are on display although the latter sits in the far corner, in such an awkward place, right in front of the toilets.

A good pint was had, and at less than 3 pound, its cheaper than you'l get in the city centre. The Grey Horse is somewhere I'd recommend for a fleeting visit but not much more.

6/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - Salisbury Arms

SALISBURY ARMS, DALKEITH ROAD
Pint of Lager - £3.25
Walked into the Salisbury Arms to find the place absolutely heaving and the poor barmaid receiving flak from an angry customer. Despite this, she remained in good spirits and positive as she served up my drink. Unfortunately it was not the best and had a particularly heavy taste, a step down from the Grey Horse.

Inside the Salisbury, it is very spacious and there are various tables, chairs and sofas spread neatly around. Tables and chairs are also found outside although were empty on this chilly night. With no music playing and a single television sitting high up in the heavens, its the perfect place to meet up and chat with friends and family without any distractions. However, if your looking for entertainment then you may well be disappointed. No jukeboxes or games machines here. The restaurant area is found in the back and also very well presented although the only thing I've ever had here was a decent burger and chips two years ago, so can't really give an expert opinion on the food.

If your looking for somewhere to catch up, in a relaxed environment, then this is the place although I hope you get a better Tennents than I did.

7/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - Clerk's Bar

CLERK'S BAR, SOUTH CLERK STREET
Pint of Lager - £2.95
American style, alternative bar found at the top end of South Clerk street. Was reliably informed by David that this used to be a 'dive' however I can confidently say that those days seem long gone.

We were immediately greeted by enthusiastic bar staff upon entry and served with a cheap, deliciously poured pint. The interior is cool, spacious and spread over two floors with extra tables and chairs downstairs for busier times. We settled into one of the comfortable booths by the window, with pillows at hand and a massive TV screen perfectly angled in front.

There was a 'Feast for a Fiver' menu on offer with plenty hot snacks such as Fish and Chips and Hot Dogs on the list. Thursday night is karaoke night and was shortly about to begin before we left. We were encouraged by the bar staff to take part and politely declined but it did look like a lot of fun. A quiz night was also advertised for Mondays at 9pm.

The pub seems very student friendly judging by the amount of youngsters present and this may put off the older generation. I also felt the toilets were particularly small, given the size of the place, and could easily get very cramped on a Friday or Saturday night. These are the only minor gripes I have though as this was by far the best pub of the night.

8.5/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Grapes

THE GRAPES, SOUTH CLERK STREET
Pint of Lager - £2.40


Gonna surprise a few folk with this one but I actually feel quite sorry for The Grapes. It receives a very unfair amount of negative press, much of which I feel is exaggerated. I have been in several times and never experienced any trouble, always receiving good service and last night was to be no different.

Lets get one thing out of the way first, the punters here are very much of a low class background, many of them the slavering drunk type, long term retired or permanently unemployed. However, they all seem genuinely harmless and indeed, one of them made his way over from the bar to shake my hand and introduce himself. This is something you would be extremely unlikely to get from a stuck-up toff on George street.


The pub itself is split into two main sections with the regulars usually found tucked away in a corner to the left and a rear area with a television and seating. The colours in the place are terrible, a hideous mixture of brown and yellow and in desperate need of a fresh lick of paint. I don't know who was choosing the jukebox songs but couldn't help but laugh when "Frosty the Snowman" came on. Yes, really.

This is the sort of place you could imagine where folk drink after closing hours and generally take the piss. However, the bar staff were strict and in control, barking at everyone to finish their drinks as 11pm approached and promptly refusing any late orders. At £2.40 for a pint, and a decent one at that, you can certainly do worse than pop in here, even just for one.

Keep your expectations realistic, though.
5/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Radical Road

THE RADICAL ROAD, WILLOWBRAE ROAD
Pint of Lager - £3.50

Upon entering this bar/restaurant we were met with a stark realisation. It was completely empty. Deserted tables and chairs and not a member of staff in sight. However, a lone barmaid appeared and directed us to the pub section down the corridor, and that was where the fun began.

A large, L shaped area is what we found, with a cinema like TV screen and mini dance floor on the far side. The walls were beautifully decorated with memorabilia from times gone by, signed football shirts, hundreds of beermats, shelves with rare whiskies etc. There was a friendly feel to the place that I hadn't felt in other recent establishments.

No suspicious glances or gormless faces here. What really made the night was the pint of lager, ice cold and perfectly poured, it went down an absolute treat, I almost had to remind myself that I was only allowed one.

Downsides? Well I suppose the only one is the politics. This is very much an SNP/YES campaign boozer and makes no qualms about it, with posters and messages galore. This is not necessarily a bad thing but if you are a supporter of the other sides then you may well feel a bit like an atheist strolling into a christian church.

That aside though, I found this a warm and pleasant place and would not hesitate to go back any time.

8.5/10

Ryan's Pub Reviews - The Sheep Heid Inn

THE SHEEP HEID INN, THE CAUSEWAY
Pint of Lager - £3.25
I try not to do any research prior to visiting a place but it is almost impossible not to know about the Sheep Heid, reportedly one of the oldest pubs in Scotland. Mary Queen of Scots was apparently a regular visitor here back in the day, where she no doubt took many selfies with her various husbands. OK, perhaps not.

This pub has the proper 'village' feel to it, isolated and very old fashioned. I reckon it almost has the perfect layout, split onto three very different sections. The bar and restaurant area are at the front, candle lit and well presented, a pretty barmaid was overseeing most of what was going on, albeit very little on this Monday night. The pint I received was fantastic again, more than matching the Radical Road pub from earlier. In the middle of the Sheep Heid, there is a large beer garden, with some of it protected by shelter and comfy seats situated within, perfectly catering for all seasons.

But the star attraction has to be the skittle alley found at the back. Unlike modern bowling joints, you have to replace the skittles after every shot but this just adds to the fun. It was fully booked when we arrived but the kind group of American tourists asked to join in, and what a night we had. If I am going to be a perfectionist, then the only downpoint was the phone reception, which was very poor and the WiFi seemingly unaccesible. This will disappoint some but on the other hand, this is not a place to be sitting playing on your phone, its a place where you should be having fun and socialising.

The best pub on the journey so far and hoping to visit again in a couple of weeks for my birthday.

9/10