BARGUIDE 2009
UNDER THE STAIRS 3a Merchant Street, 466 8550. www.underthestairs.org. Mon–Sun noon–1am Basic pint: £3.15
A relatively new addition to the Edinburgh scene, this basement bar is a worthy rival to the (also great) City Café and the bars of Broughton Street as a pre- clubbing destination. Decorated economically but tastefully with reclaimed tables and chairs, standard lamps and even a trio of ducks on the wall, it offers food, cocktails and a Monday-night pub quiz. High point: stylish but not pretentious
BLACK BO’S 57–61 Blackfriars Street, 557 6136. Mon–Sun 4pm–1am. Basic pint: £3.10
Bo’s unique ambience has kept it popular among a cross-section of artists, musicians and students over the years. It’s within walking distance of just about anywhere its regular clientele would want to move on to afterwards, and the subtle combination of unpretentious atmosphere, a small seated beer garden to the rear and the adjoining vegetarian restaurant add to the list of positives. High point: the regulars
The Holyrood 9A
With its stone walls, wee windows and scruffy wooden furniture it’s a spot of venerable antiquity. Eat from the bar menu or select the fish dish of the day from the blackboard specials, with imaginative meaty alternatives and popular weekend brunches also meriting attention. High point: the fish dish of the day
SPECIAL MENTIONS THE SHORE
The old-school Star Bar; Elbow, for its newbie but goodie vibe; The Street, for the people watching; newcomer The Tourmalet; The Auld Toll; The Pond; Reverie for Southside chic. 3 The Shore, Leith, 553 5080. www.theshore.biz Mon–Sat noon–1am; Sun 12.30pm–1am (food served Mon–Fri noon–2.30pm & 6–10.30pm; Sat noon–10.30pm; Sun 12.30–10.30pm). Basic pint: £3
GOOD FOOD KING’S WARK
36 The Shore, Leith, 554 9260. Mon–Thu noon–11pm; Fri & Sat noon–midnight; Sun 11am–11pm (food served Mon–Sat noon–10pm; Sun 11am–3pm & 6–10pm). Basic pint: £3.15
Forget the arguments about whether this is Leith’s oldest watering hole – for as long as most folk can remember the King’s Wark has knocked the spots off the food on offer at Edinburgh’s licensed premises, whether upstart dining pubs or trendy uptown café-bars. In fact it gives many of the nearby seafood bistros a run for their money, turning out lively fish dishes such as salt and pepper sardines or moist sea trout fillet with smoked mackerel risotto for a fraction of their price elsewhere.
Separated by a swinging saloon door from its elegant but easy-going restaurant, the Shore’s venerable, well- lived-in and convivial bar is lined with antique mirrors and dark wood panelling. Staff serve frothing ales and finely prepared house specialities. High point: homely charms
THE BON VIVANT 55 Thistle Street, New Town, 225 3275. www.bonvivantedinburgh.co.uk. Mon–Sun noon–1am (food served Mon–Sun noon–10pm). Basic pint: £3.50
and coconut curry. High point: bar bites with bite STOCKBRIDGE TAP
2 Raeburn Place, Stockbridge, 343 3000. Mon–Thu noon–midnight; Fri & Sat noon–1am; Sun 12.30pm–midnight (food served Mon noon–3pm; Tue–Thu noon–3pm & 5–9pm; Fri & Sat noon–10pm; Sun 12.30–7pm). Basic pint: £3
A simple but solid wood interior, seven real (and mostly local) ales on tap, and resolutely imaginative food options such as chilled mussels in a pint glass, chips with rich beef gravy, and a right proper beef, ale and bacon pie. High point: Ben the chef
THE HOLYROOD 9A 9A Holyrood Road, Old Town, 556 5044. Sun–Thu 10am–midnight; Fri & Sat 10am–1am (food served Mon–Sun 10am–9.30pm). Basic pint: £2.90
Still unsure whether it’s a boho hangout for folk who like burgers and beer too much to be boho, or a joint for fast-talking The Thick of It parliamentary aides, this spacious new spot near the Pleasance has a steakhouse-style menu with freshly prepared burgers. High point: veni burger and stout
A dark, unremarkable looking bar that lives up to Thistle Street’s reputation as one of the capital’s finer eating precincts with a short but grown-up menu of snacks and meals including options such as pheasant
SPECIAL MENTIONS The Filmhouse and Traverse Bar for their artiness; Leith’s Cameo Bar.
CHEAP PINTS Tipplers can rest easy with this array of watering holes ready to whet the whistle without breaking the bank
In Glasgow, the relaxed haven of Home (80 Albion Street, 0141 552 1734) doesn’t disappoint with Carling by the pint at just £2.10 Mon–Thu; £2.65 at the weekends. Across at The Arlington Bar (130 Woodlands Road, 0141 332 9782) locals can enjoy a pint of Foster’s for £2.10, while over at Scotia (112- 114 Stockwell Street, 0141 552 8681, www.scotiabar.net) old world charm complements Strongbow for £2.60 and Tennent’s for £2.68. Over at the West End’s Basement Bar
(191 Byres Rd Glasgow, www.base mentbarquiz.com) Carling and Tennent’s flow at just £2.35. its weekly roster of live music, alongside a hefty array of world beers from just £2 a bottle.
In Auld Reekie, the laid-back Across in Tollcross, tipplers can
charm of the Elm Bar (7–8 Elm Row, 0131 558 8624) seldom disappoints, with its big screens providing plenty of entertainment to accompany a pints of Foster’s, Carling or Tennent’s at £2.50 a pop. Down Cowgate way, the mighty Bannerman’s (212 Cowgate, 0131 556 3254, www.myspace.com/ bannermanslive), continues to offer cosy up in the Illicit Still (2 Brougham Street, 0131 228 2633, www.theillicitstill.com) and enjoy their huge selection of wines and beers. A bottle of Tyski comes in at just £2.50, while a San Miguel is £1.50. Up in St Leonards, the Maltings 1-85 St. Leonards Street, 0131 667 5946) keeps it real with Foster’s on draft at £2.60 a pint.
28 THE LIST 19 Nov–3 Dec 2009