Style bars
Old Town, 52 West Port,
Em, 0131 228 4543 One of the real success stories in the past few years. Dragonfly has some kung lu inspired wallpaper.
while a host of classic trainers are lined up on the top of the gantry. Now, it that isn't enough to entice you then perhaps some excellent cocktails and the top service will.
Indigo MN)
New Town, 7 Charlotte Lane, Edinburgh, 0131 220 5603 On the same West End lane as newcomer Sygn. indigo (yard) is one of the original sleek style bars that is still swinging. Almost always chock-full of expensive suits. even on quieter weekday lunchtimes. Friday night is officially the place to start a weekend's hard partying.
Tigerlily
New Town, 125 George Sheet, Edinburgh, 0131 225 5005
The latest and most ambitious venture from the Montpellier Group [indigo (yard). Opal Lounge. et all Tigerlily has converted a Georgian townhouse with bars. lounges, dining areas (as well as 30-odd overnight rooms up stairs. too). One moment it‘s mirror squares and chandeliers. the
next it‘s wicker lounge chairs
and beige. The cocktail
selection equals the wine list. which has subdivisions such
as ‘silky & sinful'.
102 THE LIST '2- lfi Nov 2006
BAR SPECIAL
The Arches, Glasgow
The Pot Still
City Cenh'e, 154 Hope Sheet, 0141 333 0980 If there is a bar in the central belt that stocks more bottles of single
malt whiskies. we haven't found it.
West Brewing Company
East End, Binnie Place, Glasgow Green, 0141 550 0135
This expansive Munich-ster beer hall in the old Templeton (‘ar‘pct facton brews its own lager ~ the best made in Scotland.
W
The Abbotsford New Town, 3 Rose Street, 0131 225 5276
A concise list of real ales matches the pubs compact and stmightlom‘ard attitude perfectly.
Bow Bar
Old Town, 80 West Bow, 0131 226 7667
The archetype of a good traditional boo/er. the Bow is almost always an excellent spot to enjoy a wee dram of whiskey or good pint of real ale.
The Cask and Banel
New Town, 1 15 Broughton Sheet, 0131 556 3132
A busy place. the (’ask and Barrel is one of the few remaining traditional bars on Broughton Street.
Guilford Arms New Town, 1-5 West
Register Sheet, 0131 556 4312
Here is another of those
archetypal Iiiinburgh pubs. with plenty of alcoves and some sunken seating away from the busy bar. and go upstairs for smart dining area overlooking the hubbuh below.
STYLE BARS Design-driven ventures, many of which also offer some top cocktail choices. (See panels, pages 100 & 102 for more)
GLASGOW
Bar 10
City Cenhe, 10 Mitchell Lane, 0141 572 1448
This convened warehouses minimal furnishings and industrial fittings swells with [ire-clubbers on weekend nights. During the day. however. it‘s just a laid-back (‘ontinental bar
cafe.
Bluu
Merchant City, 62 Trongate, 0141 548 1350 The bar is typically busy with cool folks. cast in the generally azure lighting amid the designer fumiture. Seats beside large windows are perfect for watching the busy street outside.
Booly Mardys
West End, 28 Vinicombe Sheet, 0141 560 8004 Booly Mardy‘s dares you to find a tastier example of its signature drink. The mixologists also serve an impressive selection of modem concoctions.
500 Club
West End, 2 Partickbrldge Sheet, 0141 337 2433 Don‘t be fooled by the name. this flash bar isn‘t some sort of
The West Brewing Company, Glasgow
private members“ club. The modem. airy space caters to an upwardly mobile crowd with a smattering of students.
Metropolitan Merchant City, Merchant Square, Candlerlggs, 0141 552 9402
The most self-consciously stylish bar in the Merchant Square development. this is the place to sling back cocktails with abandon.
Tusk
Southside, 18 Moss Side Road, 0141 649 9199 (‘ocktails are pretty affordable at this visually stunning bar- restaumnt-club near Shawlands cross. A fomier cinema and pool hall. the deep red decor affords a seductively sultry arnbience.
W
Amicus Apple
New Town, 17 Frederick Sheet, 0131 226 6055 In a location that has had several different ventures. the new operators have chosen decor. music policy and bar food as sleek as their website. An original concept in a world of retreads.
Assembly
Old Town, 41 Lothian Street, 0131 220 4288 Deep leather sofas and designer looks -— combined with a location near Bristo Square -~ all translate into a stylish stop that's also a student hangout. Regular I)Js and club nights. plus a free buffet. Fridays (i-8pm. provide additional lures. The music lineup ranges from soul and hip hop to Afro beat and
house.
Borough Southslde, 72—80 Causewayside, 0131 668 2255
You‘d not likely believe that this stylish Southside bar was once a snooker hall. Iixpect a piano player Saturday nights. while Dis lure lounge lizards on Fridays.
Grape
New Town, 13 St Andrew Square, 0131 557 4522 A wine bar with a touch of style. A dangling wrought iron globe and a map fresco covers most of the ceiling: (irape flaunts a unique brand of world traveller chic.
Halo West End, 3 Melville Place, 0131 539 8500
This corona of sorts was more
of a Phoenix in 2006. Revived with a renewed emphasis on food. emphasising seafood dishes. it looks much as it did before. namely. stylish with some groovy illumination. A snug designer bar. it glows like a new pin.
Sven
New Town, 15 Charlotte Lane, 0131 225 6060
If fusion food and style bar sophistication tickle your fancy then Sygn is the place for you. So cool it doesn't post its name -- just a neon-pink smear to let you know it exists.
Tigeflily
New Town, 125 George Sheet, 0131 225 5005 See feature. page ()8. and panel.
page l()2.
OUTDOORS Take it outside at one of these smoker-friendly bars.
W
The Babbity Bowster
Merchant City, 16-18 Blacldriars Sheet, 0141 552 5055
In a renovated (ieorgiati townhouse. the Bahbity Bowster' has a deserved reputation for hospitality and solid I’rench- influenced Scots cuisine.
Brel
West End, 37-43 Ashton Lane, 0141 342 4966 This Ashton lane mainstay offers an excellent range of Belgian lager. In addition to its beer garden. the consenatory is an intimate setting for acoustic
gigs.
Chinaski‘s
West End, 239 North Sheet, 0141221 0061 An alter ego of American scribbler
Charles Bukowski provides inspiration for this relatively new bar and bistro. But the noise from the motorway doesn‘t seem
to drift into the secluded split- Ievel rear
beer garden.
m
The Outhouse
New Town, 12a Broughton Sheet Lane, 0131 557 6668
Tucked away down an alley near the top of Bmughton Street. the ()uthoUse has a secluded rear beer garden with standing heaters for our more traditionally cool Iidinburgh nights. But you might be surprised how many puffing punters prefer sitting outdoors.
30 Nov— 14 Dec THE LIST 102