Auld Rekkie has no shortage of places where you can wet your whistle, but as with many other areas of life, the city centre has seen major changes in recent years – and not all of them good.
Much has been written about the death of the traditional old-man boozer, and in the city centre, pubs are now competing with a wide array of trendy cocktail and craft beer bars. And that’s not to forget the number of ‘proper’ boozers which have been turned into gastropubs.
All is not lost, however, as there’s still some places where you can enjoy a good pint of lager and a packet of crisps – perhaps with a football match on the box or a game of pool or darts.
Scroll through our picture gallery to see 12 traditional pubs in Edinburgh we’d recommend going for a pint.
5. The Oxford Bar
Where: 8 Young Street, Edinburgh EH2 4JB. Fans of local crime writer Ian Rankin will already ken this place well, an Edinburgh institution since its inception at the end of the 19th century (1893, in fact). Literary ties aside, the bar is a true throwback to the city boozers of yesteryear. Photo: Third Party
6. Bennets Bar
Where: 8 Leven Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9LG. Little changed since its opening in 1839, Bennets has a wonderful atmosphere bolstered by theatre fans, thespians, tourists and students looking for better value beer than a £9 schooner. Photo: Third Party
7. The Barony Bar
Where: 81-85 Broughton St, Edinburgh, EH1 3RJ. Broughton Street may have plenty of options when it comes to stylish bars, but for those looking for something more traditional, The Barony is certainly worth a visit. It has some of the friendliest staff in Edinburgh and a real fireplace, and even played a cameo role in the animated film The Illusionist. Photo: Third Party
8. Blue Blazer
Where: 2 Spittal St, Edinburgh, EH3 9DX. Blue Blazer’s two-room interior feels like it’s hardly changed in a century (because it hasn’t), unlike the more quasi-authentic bars further down towards the Grassmarket. Friday nights are always spirited and worth popping in if you want to a pub with a jovial atmosphere, and knowledgeable staff. Photo: Third Party