An Edinburgh night out is not what it used to be – Hayley Matthews

With social distancing, staff in face masks and fewer people about, Hayley Matthews says the atmosphere is not the same – but we have to start somewhere

The Grassmarket in July is normally like Mardi Gras but Hayley was able to find a taxi within minutes (Picture: Lisa Ferguson)

I went out for a few drinks with a friend last week and it was very surreal. Being on lockdown and celebrating a big birthday has been a strange experience. However, to be honest I’m not big on birthdays and don’t like a fuss so it suited me just fine.

I do, though, like to go and get a bottle of fizz, have a few hours to myself and get some good conversation so jumped at the chance to book out an afternoon and hit the Grassmarket with a friend.

I had a face mask and very low expectations of what the experience would be like as I really had no idea what to expect. The town was very quiet and we started off in Brewdog.

Now it was early afternoon on a Friday but it was just us and about four other people. The staff all had masks and gloves on and it all looked very clean. There was social distancing as far as the eye could see.

After a pizza and drinks, we headed on to The Three Sisters (I don’t even know if it’s still called that because that’s how long it’s been since I’ve been in that part of town) and again all very clinical, but it is sadly the measures that the restaurants need to take now.

The rain was pouring down and Edinburgh felt very cold and damp so sitting outside wasn’t the best but it seemed encouraged and getting a seat inside was really only offered if you asked nicely.

We managed to squeeze under the awning at Biddy Mulligans and have a few cocktails in the rain and it was lovely but just felt very quiet. I nipped inside to go to the loo and could only see about six people scattered around – mind you in the ladies normality was restored as women chatted about life and their experience.

After realising the rain wouldn’t let up we headed back in a taxi, which took us all of four minutes to find – on a Friday evening in the Grassmarket that is surely unheard of.

My point is that things are very different now and the atmosphere isn’t there any more.

It really is so sad because normally at this time of year the place is buzzing with the arrival of the Festival, and thousands of people from all over the world scattering across the city with their creative talents. But all I could see were a few folk out for a drink.

If you’re heading out on the town this weekend don’t expect a magic business-as-usual feeling and the illusion that life is back to normal, because it is very far from that indeed. It feels like you’re up the town very early on a quiet Sunday morning, almost like everywhere has just shut from the Saturday night before.

It’s very eerie and seeing staff in masks, ordering online at your table etc all takes away from the treat of a few drinks out.

However, if we don’t start to try and get some sort of normality back in our lives then we’ll probably forget how to socialise.

Maybe BBQs in the garden will be the new norm and things might go back to the days of the house party being more popular than going up the town. Plus it’s cheaper too and no need to call a taxi home.

Everyone round to ours for a swally?

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