Bars/Pubs/Things to do in Edinburgh.

Ahleckz

Ahleckz

Ahleckz

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Glasgow
I'm going on a day trip to Edinburgh on Thursday, to go and see the Pandas!

But, that'll take a couple of hours so need stuff to keep me occupied for the rest of the time. I vaguely know Edinburgh, but usually been with locals and/or drunk so unsure of the good bars nowadays.

I'll probably be staying in the old town after the zoo and keen to go to Brewdog and I want to go to that big, old fashioned bar with loads of wood. A local will know what I'm on about.

Dinner, wouldn't mind some seafood. Not looking for a Michelin Star (though I'm not adverse to the idea if I'll get a table at this short notice!), but decent grub is a must.

Any must dos? Not fussed about the castle/dungeon/national museum. More into quirky places.

Will I be able to find a shop in Edinburgh for a bottle of bucky for the train home? ;)
 
Restaurant wise you MUST go to Wedgwood. I recommend the pigeon starter, tis divine. As for bars you cant go wrong around the Grassmarket. Last Drop is pretty good. For somewhere open late check out Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburghs most haunted pub. It even has its own cinema playing B-movies all night.
 
I assume you mean the Guilford Arms when you say the old fasioned bar? If you are in that part of town and want good seafood then you cant go anywhere else except Fishers in the City on Thistle street.

You may need to book ahead as it is usually pretty busy but it is well worth it. PLus you dont have to treck all the way to Leith.

/Salsa
 
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Ahleckz said:
I'm going on a day trip to Edinburgh on Thursday, to go and see the Pandas!

But, that'll take a couple of hours so need stuff to keep me occupied for the rest of the time. I vaguely know Edinburgh, but usually been with locals and/or drunk so unsure of the good bars nowadays.

I'll probably be staying in the old town after the zoo and keen to go to Brewdog and I want to go to that big, old fashioned bar with loads of wood. A local will know what I'm on about.

Dinner, wouldn't mind some seafood. Not looking for a Michelin Star (though I'm not adverse to the idea if I'll get a table at this short notice!), but decent grub is a must.

Any must dos? Not fussed about the castle/dungeon/national museum. More into quirky places.

Will I be able to find a shop in Edinburgh for a bottle of bucky for the train home? ;)
Click to expand...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restau...3-Reviews-King_s_Wark-Edinburgh_Scotland.html

Kings Wark. Get mussels to start and then go for something off the catch of the day board. Get there early as you will have to wait for a table. I would eat in the 'pub' half of the establishment rather than the restaurant. Same stuff but lower prices. Loads of wood and fire probably in this weather. The 22 which runs every 5 mins will get you from princes street to there in about 5 mins.
 
52 Canoes is a very good tiki bar but saying how rum isnt your thing probably a good idea to give it a miss, I really liked under the stairs which is just off the royal mile.

Food wise we went to wildfire (steak) which I didn't find particularly amazing but we did go there for lunch and kanpai (japenese) which was lovely.

KaHn

KaHn
 
So booked a table for one Balmoral. Tried to get a table at Castle terrace but times didn't suit. Looking forward to it.

I trust the cocktail bar in there will appeal to the good lady?
 
Im going next week and would appreciate a recommendation for a traditional Scottish breakfast? Staying at Hotel Indigo so somewhere within reasonable walking distance would be great thanks.

The champagne bar in the Balmoral is excellent so would presume the cocktails are also up to standard.
 
I ate at http://www.mussel-inn.com/ for some seafood (well, mussels) when I was there. Seemed pretty popular and was good food.

If you are there on a Sunday there is free comedy in a cellar comedy club:
http://www.thestand.co.uk/stu-and-garry.aspx

Also ate at http://www.thaiorchid.uk.com/contact.php one night, was very quiet but it had snowed pretty heavily and not many people were about.

This was a nice looking whisky bar that I stopped in for a drink too: http://albanachedinburgh.co.uk/

Had a hot chocolate from here to warm us up: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restau...eviews-Chocolate_Soup-Edinburgh_Scotland.html tasted pretty good.

We also went to an open mic night in the bottom of a Scream pub but may not be there any more.

Did a ghost tour with this place http://www.auldreekietours.com/tours.html that was amazing. Although added to it was the fact it was snowing, quiet and no one was about other than the few on the tour. Girl that did it was great.

Ate here for Mexican one night: http://mariachi-restaurant.co.uk/ they had some salsa dancing lessons going on at the time.

We visited the Castle briefly, a quick walk around Holyrood, looked in the Parliament building, one of the art galleries, decent views walking up round the observatory.
Also went to the tartan factory which was quite interesting, the Museum of Childhood may be interesting to some, but not me.

Loved it, look forward to going back sometime. Maybe without getting flights cancelled and having to stay an extra night in Holiday Inn (by the Zoo) because of the snow though.
 
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Check out the hipster coffee haunt: Artisan Roast, Broughton Street

For drinks/cocktails:
Tempus Bar, George St - hotel vibe,
Tiger Lily, George St - takes itself a bit seriously, especially the doormen but decor is very nice
The Dome, George St. - Stunningly impressive old bank building - worth a quick drink
Ricks Bar, Frederick Street - boutique hotel vibe
Bramble Bar, Queen St - excellent cocktails, nuff said.

52 Canoes Tiki Den - kitsch but fun
 
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