BEST BARS|2006

FANCY A NIGHTCAP?

It’s not bedtime just yet

Espionage

I What with its supposedly stuffy image. Auld Reekie's not at all bad for drinking past one's bedtime. 1am is normal closing time so if a bar describes itself as having a late licence. it had jolly well better be until 3am or the locals will sue for false advertising. Things get even friskier during the Festival and Christmas periods. when opening hours are extended to 3am for those normally closing at 1am. and some 3am'ers going on till 5am.

Sometimes it's best not to be snobby. There are times when what one needs at 1am is four floors of dancing, drinking and depravity. so Espionage (4 India Buildings Victoria Street. 477 7007) exists to supply nefarious hedonism for students. tourists and just-can't-stoppers until 3am. It's free to get in. which is always a bonus. The Left Bank (Guthrie Street. 225 8675) is a wee bohemian haunt where you can happily quaff in the rather sexy red lighting of the bar until 3am. There's a separate live music venue attached with local bands and open mic nights. Plvo (2 Calton Road. 557 2925) is open until 3am and serves fine Czech beers. It can get packed out and you may have to queue at the weekend. Also in the 3am free bracket. just down the road cc Blooms (23 Greenside Place. 556 9331) provides nightly disco fun (alth0ugh no matter how drunk you are. it is not acceptable to dance to a hi-NRG remix of Katie lvlelua). as well as weekly karaoke and quiz nights. (Morag Bruce)

Dino Martini

DJ

I had my first drink in [Edinburgh's Basement even before Richard and Lynne opened the doors to the public 1 1 years ago and. as everyone knows. I've been going down ever since. It's completely

a‘; wear superbly garish Haiwian shirts. and many of thern have been there for years. something which speaks \./<;li.r'.)es. Also worth a fllOl‘IlOll are the Port

()‘Leith and the Phoenix. [Every major city in the world

that has any sort of ‘dern- ‘lll().'l(i(3' also has bars like these where all sorts of people go. They may not be where you started the night or where you plan to get to. but they're where yOu end up . . I love 'em.

28 THE LIST ‘r‘> Dec 21%,“;

unpretentious. The smart—arse. incredibly efficient stall

True north

EDINBURGH: NEW TOWN

There’s a wide variety of watering holes amidst the classical order and symmetry of Edinburgh’s New Town, writes Allan Radcliffe.

LET'S LIVEN THINGS UP A BIT

The Baillie Bar i2-4 St Stephen Street. 225 4673) is a bustling pub at the heart of Stockbridge. decked Out in warm wood panelling wrth comfy seats and regular live football. With its floor-to—ceiling windows and prime location on the corner of BrOughton Street. The Street iPicardy Place. 556 A272) is the ideal place to chill out and watch the world go by. The bar positively heaves of a weekend evening. attracting a lively. mixed. usually preclub crowd wrth tree sets from vari0us resident DJs in the compact downstairs area. Down the road. The Barony i81—85 Broughton Street. 557 05-46) fills to the brim most evenings. attracting a mixed age range crowd seeking reasonably priced spirits and a good selection of real ales and is an enjoyable setting in which to roar along to big matches.

COLD COMFORT BARS

The nights are (.lrawihg in. So try The Thistle Street Bar i39 Thistle Street. A78 7029). snug and conVivial wrth an extensive range of malt whiskies. Kays Bar r39 Jamaica Street. 225 1858) is another cosy. tucked- away retreat. :dez l for curling up with a soothing ale or malt whisky. Mt—zanwhrle. Hector‘s M7419 Deanhaugh Street. 3113 t 735) is perfect for a romantic evening complete with candlelight and a wonderfully wrno- friendly wine list. The centrally located Café Royal Oyster Bar it 7 West Register Street. 556 1884) features an evocatchihg collection of Victorian Doulton tiles and a long list of cask ales.

INSIDE/OUTSIDE

The Cumberland's rl—3 Cumberland Street. 558 313:1) major selling pernt is its renowned beer garden. which proves hugely popular in summer. while the homely :hterior attracts a mixed clientele of locals. students and tourists during the winter. Blink-and you'll miss The Outhouse i12a BroughtOh Street Lane. 557' 6668). Off the Broughton thoroughfare. it has an extremely popular beer garden and a good range of (lilyill‘lo bar food. Similarly hidden away the midst of the Georgian grandeur is the Star Bar il Northiimperland Place. 539 8070) with its bright blue facade. It's a great place for a quiet pant or a quality lunch in the small beer garden which can act as a Sun trap. and the lively ambience ignites at night. along with live bands and karaoke.

momma.

I Indigo Yard

SHAKEN NOT STIRRED . . .

Perched on the third floor wrth a gorgeous panOramic view. Oloroso (33 Castle Street. 226 7614) is a great place to unwmd with its couches and enticing cocktail list. Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Bar (30—34 St Andrew Square. 524 8350) boasts impresswe views of the castle. Old Town and Firth of Forth: yOu get what you pay for if yOu partake of the delicrous cocktails. The subterranean Opal Lounge (51 George Street. 226 2275) is currently undergoing a face-lift. despite already being the best looking bar on George Street. The results of its make-over wrll be revealed after 7 Dec. but early reports say 'glittering London chic“.

NEVER DRINK ON

AN EMPTY STOMACH

Hungry? Head down to The Basement Bar i10a—l2a Broughton Street. 557 0097). a laid back. stylish undergr0und venue whose Hawaiian-shined staff compensate for the lack of natural light. The menu c0mprises Mexrcan classics and if you haven't had the large nachos you can't call yourself an Edinburgher. lglu l2b Jamaica Street. 476 5333) is a ClaSSy. relaxed setting for live muSic. fair trade food and a quiet drink. Indigo Yard (7 Charlotte Lane. 220 5603) is ten years old in 2006. but its mix of contemporary and traditional decor is still fresh. Hamilton’s Bar and Kitchen «18 Hamilton Place. 226 4199) features a comfortable bar—restaurant VJIIh a bu7/ihg ambience while The Circus Caté (15 North West Circus Place. 220 0333) is another Stockbridge venue noted for its quality restaurant. friendly bar and food hall.