The Cannyman, 237 Morningside Road, Morningside, Edinburgh 0131 447 1484
Charming, atmospheric pub which oozes character. Good selection of ales and an outstanding selection of malts and champagne if there’s something to celebrate. Find a cosy corner and while away a few hours. There’s so much to look at, it’s perfect if your conversation is drying up! From time to time the owners can be a little rude...
Sandy Bells, Forrest Road, Central, Edinburgh
A trip to Sandy Bells is like stepping back in time. Live folk music every night and a great atmosphere in central unique pub.
Kay’s Bar, 39 Jamaica Street, West New Town, Edinburgh 0131 225 1858
Small and cosy, this old New Town favourite is always packed full. Great selection of real ales and good hearty crowd and very good value filling lunches. There’s always a fire burning in the winter.
Café Royal Bar, behind Burger King at the East End of Princes Street, Central New Town, Edinburgh
This elegant Victorian bar is one of Edinburgh’s old favourites. Large central bar and often standing room only. Interesting looking crowd.
The Pond, 2 Bath Road, Leith, Edinburgh
One the edge of a deserted dockland in Leith, this quirky pub is one of our personal favourites. Very quirky interior and crowd enjoying the laid back atmosphere. Enjoy sipping on your pint and gazing into their aquarium, or why not excite things with a game of addictive ‘Space Raiders’. A guaranteed good laugh.
Berts Bar, 2-6 Raeburn Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh 0131 332 6345
A traditional Scottish bar with friendly staff, a good choice of ales at low prices with sports coverage on the television.
The Holyrood Tavern, 9a Holyrood Rd, Pleasance, Edinburgh 0131 556 5044
One of Edinburgh’s most laid back pubs, with friendly bar staff and comfortable if not slightly old looking furniture. The chilled atmosphere makes you want to put your feet up and listen to tunes on the juke box.
The Bow Bar, 80, West Bow,Victoria St. Old Town, Edinburgh 0131 226 7667
A successfully revamped old style Edinburgh pub renowned for great variety of real ale and guest beers and a good selection of malts. Friendly local pub with no frills or themes. Sometimes frequented by City councillors and the occasional community education worker but still a great place. Only a 10 pace stagger from a brilliant cheese shop and a historically significant brush shop.
Doric Tavern & McGuffie's Bar, 15, Market St, Old Town, Edinburgh 0131 225 5243
Traditional and cosy bar downstairs with a Bistro upstairs. Real ale, featured wines and imaginative food. Trendy-ish.
Bennets Bar, 8, Leven St. Tollcross, Edinburgh 0131 229 5143
A real gem where three generations of the writer's family have supped. Beer suppliers and owners have changed over the years but it still has real ales and plenty of whiskies. Most fittings are original in this traditional Scottish pub with a formidable gantry, brass taps on the bar for water and a snug. In past days the newspaper seller would operate a self service system beside the coal fire and artists from the Kings Theatre next door would dash in for refuelling at the interval. Still some of that goes on reflected in the 'Green Room' through the back.
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