After a quick one in the Filmhouse (on Lothian Road but not listed on here), we moved on to the Blue Blazer. This was another excellent small pub with plenty of character. Kelburn Goldihops, Oakham Citra, Strathaven Midnight Walk, Stewart Saison Des Pluies (couldn't have been apt for my brief Scottish tour) & Loch Lomond Kessog were the ales. Thistly Cross Cider was also on handpull and thoroughly enjoyed by me. Not overly busy on a Sunday evening. This was my favourite pub so far in Edinburgh. But I later surpassed this. Service was good. Didn't try the toilets!Well, here we go again - another day out in Edinburgh, and another visit to The Blazer.
Plenty of people in on a Saturday afternoon (6th June) - good atmosphere. What I particularly liked about this visit was that although lots of people were being served at the bar, the friendly barmaid was aware of whose turn it was next, and asked for our order while just finishing off someone else's. A great way to run a well-attended pub, being attentive to customers. See you again on my next visit!Used to drink here back in the late eighties. Interior hasn't changed much - there is still the vertiginous descent to the toilets, for example, - except that the old church pews have been covered in namby pamby plastic padding. There is a much wider choice of beer now (my double chocolate porter was delicious) and it is almost as much a pleasure to visit as it was nearly 30 years ago. Docked a point for the blaring TV in the back room.

I really liked this pub. It has an excellent range of ales listed on a blackboard. The interior does have a religious feel, which creates a cold atmosphere. But the place was busy and the beer quality was good. Ales were Stewart Pentland IPA & Holy Grale, Highland Pale, Alechemy Bad Day At The Office, Siren Undercurrent, Tiny Rebel Cwtch, Oakham Robber, Mallinsons Citra & Pilot Moccachino Stout. I had the stout and it was my favourite beer from my 40 Scottish pubs - simply divine. Although I'm not too sure I could have drunk too much of it.Found because of the Camra Real Ale Pub Walks for Edinburgh. These books are wonderful.

I would have never have found this place otherwise.

Unfortunately, it was a flying visit as we had a table booked elsewhere in the City - as I would have loved to have stayed longer.

There was a choice of many previously unheard of beers. I went for one that was being poured for another punter and was a red beer. Not had one before. I think I need more before knowing whether I liked it.

It was in superb condition.

Will be back.... for no other reason than I need to finish the walk (Bennett's Bar, Doctors and Sandy Bells).Made a day trip to Edinburgh from Cheshire, 3 hour train journey, well worth it. Visited six pubs altogether, this being the fifth.
The layout and decor were conducive to a very relaxed atmosphere. Friendly staff (a characteristic of Edinburgh real ale pubs based on today's visit) and the manager made an appearance, we chatted about our day out and he was genuinely interested in our feedback about his place and other places we had called in.
Ale was good quality, had a great pint of Tyne Bank Green Hop.
Recommended.

Just round the corner from the Café Royal is the Guildford - another architectural masterpiece. I could have spent hours staring at the marvellous ceiling. But instead my eyes were distracted by the equally good range of ales - Orkney IPA & Dark Island, Stewarts Pentland IPA, Natural Selection Bitter Descent, Fyne Jarl, Brewed Awakening Coffee Stout, Old Worthy A Worthy Cause, Allendale Wolf, Fallen Blackhouse Smoked Porter & Alechemy 10 Storey Malt Bomb. I went for the porter which was just to my satisfaction, not too smokey. The only downside was a lack of a real cider. The pub has a galleried area popular with tourists and diners, whilst there is clearly a regular local drinking clientele too. Without a doubt one of the best pubs in Edinburgh.Visited August 2014 - lovely pub, great surroundings, friendly staff and 8 real ales on, all good quality. Definitely worth a visit.Unfairly, the only time I seem to come in here is when you cannot move in the Cafe Royal next door. This is not a negative review, as this pub stands up on its own merits. Busy - but not as small as next door.

Still love them both.

Another petite-sized Edinburgh bar with just a single room. But what it lacked in quantity, it more than made up for in quality, especially with the ale selection - Pilot Archive Pale Ale, Northern Monk Black Session IPA, Weird Beard California Common, Tickety Brew Wit Bier & Jasmine Green Tea, Old Worthy Lost In The Dark & East London Brewery Foundation Bitter were all on. I remembering having a 7.5% beer from this selection. It was good. But I can't recall for the life of me which one it was. Another worthwhile Edinburgh pub.Read some recent comments about keeping it down if you are an Englishman. I my most recent visit, I don't think there was a single Scot in there. The barman was Australian and the rest of the Clientele were flatulent Germans.

Beer is always good, even if you don't know the brands.

A wonderful smell of Lapgroig managed to overpower the fellow euro-drinkers.

A great pub. Love it. Made a day trip to Edinburgh from Cheshire, 3 hour train journey, well worth it.
Staff consisted of a couple of Aussie lads, very knowledgable about beer - a couple of people who arrived after us weren't sure about what exact style of beer they wanted, and the lad who served them gave a quick description of each draught ale and the bottles they had in stock - they did their job well, to the evident approval of the customers. Good bar staff seems to be a characteristic of Edinburgh real ale pubs.
An enjoyable visit, and no sign of anyone in blue woad looking for englishmen!!!

Tiny Edinburgh institution up some steps from Waverley station on the way up to the top of the Royal Mile. Despite its size, I did manage to get hold of a seat. But this is a fairly tight space. Ales were Scottish Borders Foxy Blonde, Harviestoun Tasman Bullet, Allendale American Brown Ale & Broughton The Reiver. Cider on offer was Addlestones. Good selection and also an interesting range of railway memorabilia on the walls. I like the pub, but I think Edinburgh has better.Another visit to The Halfway House, this time Saturday 6th June at about 5:30.
Same cosy, friendly place, busier this time, so even more of a good atmosphere - literally as well as figuratively, as the aroma of fresh food was wafting in from the kitchen. Almost like being at home! Very good quality ale. Had a pint of Broughton Dark Dunster, and a pint of A Tsealac Kildonnan.
Then over the way to Waverly and the train home, very satisified with another day out in Edinburgh.Made a day trip to Edinburgh from Cheshire, 3 hour train journey, well worth it.
Halfway House recommended. Small traditional pub, we arrived just after opening time (11a.m.) so only about half-a-dozen people in, but still a good atmosphere. The beer was excellent (had two pints of Strathbraan Look West), the chap behind the bar was friendly and welcoming, and just as friendly as we said farewell to continue our pub tour of Edinburgh.

Thomson's Bar is a small single-bar pub that had a nice traditional interior, typical of many Edinburgh pubs. It had a good selection of ales too - Oakham Green Devil IPA, Alechemy Five Sisters Pale Ale, Orkney Scapa Special, Strathbraan Due South, Caledonian Deuchars IPA & Fyne Jarl. Agree that staff were friendly. Another good pub within easy walk of the station.Called in here on Saturday 14th March as part of a day out to Edinburgh from Cheshire - our second such visit in 5 months.
Navigated using the Good Beer Guide and found Thomson's.

Good range of ales, had a very nice pint of Anarchy Blonde Star (3.9%). I like the layout as it's one moderately sized room, with lots of people in creating a good atmosphere. A friendly hello from the staff when we arrived, and an equally friendly goodbye as we said thanks and left for our next pub stop.
Put this on your list of pubs to visit in Edinburgh.
Popped in last Monday on the way back to Haymarket from The Hanging Bat. I had a pint of the Alechemy Citra Burst- a bit steep at £3.95 but very nice. I'll always call in here when in Edinburgh.

Back in the centre of Edinburgh where I had left off the previous evening, I approached the Café Royal and it felt like I was about to enter the Ritz! The public bar is fairly down-to-earth though. It is popular with tourists, mostly for the food and the fantastic interior. Prices were reasonable too. Note that some of the ales will be different on the other side of the bar. I believe there was 7 handpulls in all. Ales on offer Monday lunchtime were Edinburgh Brew Co EPA, Kelburn Dark Moor, Misty Law & Cart Blanche & Inveralmond Inkie Pinkie. Worth a visit for the interior alone.Visited August 2014. Despite being very busy, quick service. Amazing interior, 7 ales on, all well kept, and friendly staff. Lots of tourists trying the ales, guided by a knowledgeable barman. Would def go back if we are in Edinburgh again.I know it has splendid tiles; I know it is in central Edinburgh; I know the food is good; I know the beer is generally well kept.

£4.00 a pint? You are having a laugh! 40-50p dearer than any other pub around. Sad.

The first stop on our first visit to Edinburgh. An amazing interior and an interesting choice of ales, served by the traditional Scottish water-engines. A great introduction to a great drinkers' city.Just time for one more pub on my first day in Edinburgh. The Abbotsford is at the eastern end of Rose Street. I understand the western end is much busier. It was very quiet in here. Although it was late on a Sunday evening. Has a lovely interior and as I remember, service was fine. Ales were Windswept Wolf & Aurora, Strathaven Old Mortality, Orkney Pale Ale & Oakham Citra.Great pub with a largely original interior and fantastic ceiling.
Some very interesting beers all well kept.
My favourite stop in Edinburgh.