BITE user comments - Coldie_Redux
Comments by Coldie_Redux
Don't go to Stagg's much these days, mainly because the rotation of ales has all but dried up. As another commenter points out, it's nearly all pale ales with most of it from Oakham breweries. There seems to be a penchant for hoppy ales in this bar, also some citra ones on tap regularly. The only non-pale is Silkie Stout, which can get a bit sickly on the palate after the third pint.
Bring back the old days of rotation and I'll start coming back. Not that they'd miss me for the bar is always busy.
26 Apr 2019 09:25
The David Macbeth Moir, Musselburgh
So, I've been frequenting this place more than Staggs, mainly because they have a continual rotation of guest ales and, secondly, because of the price. At £1.99 for the guest ales, you can't complain.
Since my first visit, service hasn't changed. At times, it is appalling. That said, all the staff are friendly and polite. Still haven't eaten here but the food looks good and the place does a roaring trade in it.
Guest ales are well kept and they pretty much always have a dark or a stout on. Old stalwarts such as Abbot and Deuchars in attendance, too. Wide range of world beers in the fridge.
The thing that really pisses me off about the MacBeth are the loud mothers (there never seem to be any men around) and their louder and uncontrollable children. At times, like last night, I wonder if I am in a kindergarten and not a gastro-pub.
The gents' toilets are clean; never had a problem with them. Yet! Most of the lazy folk downstairs see fit to use the disabled toilet, rather than climb the stairs to the dedicated toilets.
26 Apr 2019 09:15
The Ormelie Tavern, Portobello
Popped in here recently to re-visit my past. Jesus - the smell of the old men in this bar was revolting! I truly had to step back a bit from the bar after giving my order. Sat in a small snug up the back. A few ales on tap and reasonably price.
Advice: take a pomander or some Febreze with you if you decide to visit!
28 Apr 2017 12:18
So, 11 years later I popped in during the day. Place was dead bar a few pensioners and early-finish trades-types. Had a pint of Guinness which looked good but tasted terrible. Gave them the benefit of the doubt of it sitting in pipe so ordered another one which was just as bad. They've also got a nerve charging £2 for a blended whisky this far out of the city centre!
See ya in another ten years. Maybe!
28 Apr 2017 11:04
The David Macbeth Moir, Musselburgh
I have avoided this bar for many years - simply because I avoid bars that have bouncers outside - but finding Staggs shut on January 1st I decided to pop in here.
It's big and bright and raucous! I, too, had the Black Cork and enjoyed it. The focus in here is dining but the effect was like a school dinner hall for half-cut adults. Not fault of the bar, of course. But getting served is a problem, with bar staff ignoring customers who have been at the bar for several minutes in favour of those who appear at the bar an call for service in an agitated manner.
Thankfully, I did not have to use the lavatory.
I like a quiet pub when outside of Edinburgh and I'd have to try this bar again before I made a decision about going back.
11 Jan 2017 18:46
Still probably my favourite city centre bar. I just wish they would do something about the way the keep their ales. Just about any ale I try runs flat by the time the ale gets to the halfway mark in the glass. That's my only real gripe with this place
The food is generally very good. Beware, though, if you arrive after the lunching hours: from around 2:30pm onward till well after 3:00pm is the famous Cafe Royal Witching Hour, so called because as all the luncheon diners disappear, so do most of the staff! Trying to get served during that time can be frustrating and the CR has lost out on plenty of my money when I've just gotten fed up and legged it over to the Abbostford or elsewhere.
31 Oct 2015 12:06
Was in here for the first time in years last month. A shadow of its former self, character-wise. Brightly lit - too bright - and sport on the tv constantly. Staff looked like they wished they were elsewhere. Had a couple of pints of something but was shocked at the price of a standard blend whisky. Don't think I'll be back.
31 Oct 2015 11:48
Was out for a beer with an old friend recently and we decided to visit our old haunt. Shouldn't have bothered!
Ridiculous prices - pint of ale for me and a Schiehallion lager for my mate came to a spit off ten quid!! The ale tasted ok but rapidly turned into something like cold black tea. Like a lot of city centre bars, there is a heavy focus on food and bar staff are taken up dealing with that in preference of serving those just wanting a drink. For instance, I was stood at the bar for a couple of minutes whilst the harried single bar-girl rattled up diners' drinks and continued to take drinks orders from a floor waitress. The bar was half-empty and I waited nearly five minutes before I actually got a chance to order.
No way was I staying there with the prices, and the quality of the ale. I think that was my final visit to The Maltshovel.
31 Oct 2015 11:44
I last reviewed this bar in 2006 on this site and NOTHING has changed with regard to the staff attitude. It positively reeks of arrogance. One guy, and Irish fella, is actually quite polite and attentive but the other guys seem to prefer talking loudly to each other or with regulars they are familiar with. Sometimes, trying to catch their attention for another drink can be frustrating. The two or three women that are sometimes on shift can be attentive but don't come across as being too friendly.
There is a closed-shop, boys' own attitude in this place and it RUINS one of Edinburgh's finest bars! And the habit of loudly cleaning and tidying up around 10pm really puts you off wanting to hang around any long, which is what I did. And no 'thank you' from any of the staff as I left. I guess they don't give a f***!
Stewarts need to get a grip on what's going on in here.
15 Oct 2014 09:33
First time I ever went in here, it was like the wild west! This was 1989: clouds of flies in the toilets, men flying out of the doors, locals trying to lift your drink, the gas heaters on the wall. It had character, that place. Was in a while back to discover it's now bedecked with Celtic flags and seems to be a haunt of weekend, would-be Irish rebels. What a shame that the football idiots ruined this bar with their bigotry.
Watch out if your in there with a pretty woman, too: the locals have no scruples about eyeing them up blatantly!
11 Oct 2014 08:49
Man alive, I hadn't been in here for 30 years and it's still the same! Had a great night. Can't remember what I ahd.
28 May 2014 19:40
So, 3 years since my last review and I've noticed a change. I dunno what they're doing with their ales for halfway through a pint it begins to look like dishwater. There's still the eternal Cafe Royal Witching Hour, a period between 2:15 and 3:30 where the staff seem to disappear.
Food's still good but the prices are now shocking, especially when you're paying for ale that isn't being kept well. And the ceiling water damage from 2012 STILL hasn't been repaired and I think that shows us where the Pubco's priority lies! Shame the trust that owns this can't get them involved to get the repairs carried out.
Gone down in my books a bit.
28 May 2014 19:26
Dragged my GF in here back in April and had a great time. Cramped, yeh, but a good selection of ales. Still a good RA bar.
28 May 2014 19:17
Hadn't been in for years and recently took my GF in. Waited at the bar whilst the bar staff tried to sort out a TV channel one of the regulars was having a panic about wanting to watch. Stood, ignored, for a couple of minutes and left.
28 May 2014 19:15
Hadn't been in here since it was revamped. Went in recently for a quiet Sunday afternoon drink whereupon it was suddenly overran by a football squad and its attendant hangers on. Sat for a while as they took over the place, shouting for drinks and then, to our amazement, we watched the owner/head honcho bring out cups of soup for them all!
Now, if you're going to provide/ask for this service, should you no make sure there is a private function room available for such? Or did the owner judge it fit to have the casual passers by subject to a squad of footie types rather than risk losing money by shutting off the restaurant area for a few hours?
27 Oct 2013 16:54
Avoid it on a Sunday afternoon for it is little more than a kindergarten for scruffy, self-important parents. Unless that's your scene, hanging about with your bearded husband/bearded wife and bewildered toddlers who run like rabbits around adults who are drinking alcohol.
There's a live music session on the go at the same time which seems to be sponsored by a local brewery yet a bunch of grannies who don't seem to be associated with the musos go around with a pint-glass and expect one to chip in for the musos and are rather miffed if one doesn't. But that's not the problem. The problem is those cheapskate, selfish parents who drag their children in there and sit there and maybe spend a Tenner over three hours whilst nursing their kids until they fall asleep or run amok. But, hey, I guess it lets them know that when they hit the fresh air for the short promenade home that their brats will be ready for a quick feed and then put to bed so the can enjoy their quorn bolognese and a bottle of rancid merlot in peace and quiet - unlike what they visited on the rest of us a few hours previous!
It's not cheap in there, either, and has only two guest ales with the third permanent being the ubiquitos Deuchar's IPS.
20 Oct 2013 20:45
Hadn't been in in over ten years; went in last week - still the same. The real ales were bloody awful, though!
27 Jul 2012 12:13
Well, well, well! How things have changed! Took the OH in here on a whim last weekend, expecting the old guard to be there but no! This time it was a nice, friendly atmosphere that greeted us and there was a folk-session going on in a corner. Got talking to another couple and had a great night.
This place has definitely changed for the better!
27 Jul 2012 12:04
Popped in last month for the first time in years. LCD screens on the walls and that awful smell of cooking oil and tomato sauce made me spin on my heels and head back out.
27 Jul 2012 12:00
Apparently it's open again. Would not risk my life going on. A Star Wars Bar, from what I've heard.
27 Jul 2012 11:57
Was in here last weekend, first time in about six years, so there's been a change in the layout, etc. Focus is mainly on dining, with all tables set for such; not sure that's a good thing. Summer Lightning and Hobgoblin were the only ales on draught; San Mig and Carling on the lager front. My OH enjoyed the Lobster Frites, which at �20 for a whole lobster is a bargain. Lovely sheltered beer garden, too. Head-honcho barman a bit offhand in his manner, otherwise a great experience.
27 Jul 2012 11:47
Popped in here last weekend, first time in a few years. Less seating than I remember but we caught one and enjoyed a few whilst watching/listening to the old Jazzers. I do recall there was something (Russian stout?) on tap at >10%?? Good bar; well worth a visit.
27 Jul 2012 11:42
Still not convinced about this place. Went in the other day on hearing of a well-respected barman having shifted to Milne's but wasn't impressed. Prompt service, yes, but the beers just didn't crack it. The stout was lifeless and left no marks on the glass like a good ale should; my friend's lager behaved in the same manner. And, yet again, the stench of chips and tomato sauce prevails.
27 Jul 2012 11:39
Hhmmm...bit of a change since I was last in. Was staying at Malmasion down the road and we popped in here for a drink, probably around half ten at night. The staff were very busy - cleaning up! The place was a whirlwind of activity and we got the impression we weren't wanted and that the (young-ish) staff had some pre-club bars they wanted to get to!
Nosh still good, though. Very popular and can be difficult to get a table.
26 Jul 2011 08:04
Looks like it's opening again. CAN a leopard change its spots??
26 Jul 2011 07:29
Good pre-club bar or even just a quick visit, worth it for the decor and the DJ's tunes, if not the beer. Staff attentive.
26 Jul 2011 07:26
Surprised to see no rating for this bar! All been removed by management 'reports'?
All I will say about this lovely wee local den is that Drew Nicol ran a great ship when he was the landlord!
26 Jul 2011 07:09
It's sad when you see one of your old haunts on the skite.
Stopped the regular visits about 4 years ago though have made small forays into the 'shovel now and again, just to see if it's improved. Took my Irish GF in there when showing her the sights and found the MS is now a garlishly lite students' bar. All things must change, I suppose, but the service was offhand, right down to the dropping of change from a height into your hand.
26 Jul 2011 06:57
Update.
Haven't been in for a few months, now. Beer/pipes not being kept or cleaned properly. Unfortunately, the staff now tend to gather down at the coffee station and it can be difficult to catch their attention as they seem to be focussing more and more on diners. Has also turned into a kindergarten, lately, with children running around or being paraded by their parents. Best for a long, late lunch, early afternoon.
26 Jul 2011 06:39
Been going on and off for a few years. Great old-style victorian pub, though the lounge through the back can get a bit lively at weekends. Excellent range and rotation of ales and a great place to eavesdrop on the men's banter. Dog friendly bar, too!
Bar staff attentive bar one, who may be the head-honcho. Often stands with his arms folded at end of bar, yakking to his chinas and can be very offhand. Not conducive to a quick return but the others make up for his sullenness.
26 Jul 2011 06:16
Edinburgh's hidden gem! Certainly my favourite bar. The bar menu is excellent - try the seafood dinner - and if you fancy something a bit more private, try the Oyster Bar restaurant.
Well kept lagers and ales, though too many Kelburn presence but then that, I guess, is because this fine bar is tied to the rogues at Punch! Good wine list and whisky gantry.
26 Jul 2011 05:59
Wife and flitted here from All Bar One earlier this year and Browns's is now or regular Saturday (or weeknight) haunt. A raised seating area to the right of the entrance keeps causal nibblers away from the bar area and the dining room proper at the back. Food is 9/10 most times bar the tempura prawns whcih always seem to be swimming in grease.
Bar area nice and chilled until around 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays when the pre-club girlies arrive to get lubricated prior to hitting Tigerlily. Mostly continental lagers but Guinness and Caley well keep, too.
6 Oct 2009 13:33
I don't recall seeing this establishemnt on here before so maybe been suggested?
Anyway, after passing this many times, the Mrs and I decided to have drink in there one Sunday afternoon a while back. The lunches/dinners in the conservatory must be good for it's always full or best part of. CAn't comment on the food, though, but the bar I can. Barman (poss owner or related to) very abrupt and indifferent. RFU lager flat after a few mouthfuls, wine tepid. And the annoying trait of having you changed slapped down upon the bar rather than having it handed to you the way you offered it!
6 Oct 2009 13:23
It's not beer-bar, for sure, but is, as the previous poster states, full of eye-candy. And not so eye-candy. It's a bit of a pick-up joint for women, and that's before you even get down to the nightclub, Lulu.
Cocktails are nice though a tad expensive yet they cannot make a proper Bloody Mary.
16 Sep 2009 15:26
ETA
Benzyl's 'Bears' are bulky homosexuals, fyi.
Strewth! I've just had this image of a few fat bears rolling in there after and afternoon's cottaging!
12 Dec 2008 13:26
It's been yaers since I've been in here in the evening, but I went in recently with mate who worked nearby, just after 6pm. Fair enough, at that time it was dead. Two barmen on duty. Just as we're making our minds up, in walks this pretty foreign girl, looking for work. Well, that was it for the pints until the two gonads got a few chat-up lines in with the dame! When the opportunity came, we order 2 x Kronenbourg, which was poured, served and coin accepted without acknowledgement from gonad #2 (who drew the short straw to serve us) as he continued to flrt with the dame. "We're paying this guy's wages!" moaned my mate. The lager was flat as a witch's. blaring rugby league in your ears. We left after half a pint, unacknowledged by the gonads, who were still salivating and - probably - tumescent over the wee foreign conchita. Might head up there tonight to see what all the evening fuss is about!
12 Dec 2008 12:51
Just an update.
Getting better, although service can be slow. Beers kept ok. Off there tonight, in fact!
12 Dec 2008 12:37
Back to Coldie_Redux's profile
Roseleaf, Edinburgh
Once known as The Black Swan, where a mate's mum spun her Ford Capri into the front one day!
Was in it when it first opened. Focus seemed to be on food. Is now a trendies' bar, with a sizeable clique that takes over the place at weekends.
26 Apr 2019 09:51