The Dagda Bar, Edinburgh

Proctors has had new owner for a few months now and the name has been changed to "The Dagda Bar". Anyway, the atmosphere used to be a bit strained and locally, but recently it's been rather different and there has been a number of very positive changes. In particular, there's Erdinger on tap and a couple of ales (including Arran Blonde when I was in there), all at surprisingly reasonable prices. If I recall correctly they also have five or six continental bottled beers as well. There's an interesting wine list with about 20 wines on it (again from hazy memory... :)

Anyway, given that it's small place without brushed-aluminium pretentions and with good value drinks, I think it's worth trying, although I suppose only time will tell how the atmosphere and clientele changes.

(Oh, I meant to add that there's music from a jukebox, which isn't too intrusive.)

15 Sep 2005 15:58

The Waverley, Edinburgh

For such a central pub (it's just off the Royal Mile) the Waverley is remarkably peaceful, so it's a great place to meet for a quiet drink. There's not really any choice in the beer, but they'll do you a good pint of 80' in a proper pint mug. There's an upstairs as well, which I've only been in when it's been really busy...

Some other random things I like are about it are the thin tables, the plants on the bar, the crocodiles, and the landlord always turning up at the end of the evening (as far as I can tell.)

One thing to watch out for is that the opening hours are slightly unusual - for instance, it's closed for a good part of Sunday afternoons.

12 Sep 2005 20:58

The Pear Tree, Edinburgh

The scarcity of any pubs with outdoor drinking in central Edinburgh undoubtedly makes the Pear Tree useful in the summer. On any reasonably sunny day the cobbled beer garden is full of people who are prepared to pay The Pear Tree Tax; currently it's �2.70 for a pint of Caledonian 80' or Deuchars IPA, so if you want a more reasonably priced beer head next door to the Blind Poet or further along to the Southsider.

As far as other facilities go, you can pay by card and they will do cashback. You can get pretty good sandwiches at the bar, which come from Twigs. (Incidentally, Twigs must be a candidate for Edinburgh's sandwich shop with the most irritating clientele - how many other shops need to put a sign saying, "You will not be served if you are talking on the phone"?)

On Monday night at 9pm there's probably the best pub quiz I've been to, with tough regular competition and scrupulously well-researched questions. It's run by Dave who also does sets the quizzes in the Auld Hoose and the Blind Poet, although the Pear Tree one is more fun, in my opinion.

Finally, a bit of Pear Tree trivia: apparently the round dome on the top of Pear Tree House (which you can't really see from the ground) was the inspiration for the dome of the Usher Hall, the connection being that Andrew Usher was born in the building... (If you know this to be nonsense, please email me :)

12 Sep 2005 20:08