As I said, I should have had lunch in Cloisters. Five pubs since that bacon roll in Cupar, and 2pm come and gone.
But there’s still pubs that’ll serve you in Edinburgh in the afternoon, just like in proper cities.
Oh look, it’s that Bow Bar.
Somewhere on West Bow, anyway. Never sure exactly where amongst that riot of colour.
If you asked me to name a classic pub in Edinburgh I’d probably give you ten you’ve heard of, but the Bow Bar would be the first one that came to mind.
First time I’ve been able to get a seat, which is a novelty #DeathOfMondayDrinking.
No chance of Old Town pubs ever being shut on Mondays, he says confidently.
No Greene King desecration here, no menus on tables. Just beer mats and pie menu.
There were load of tall fonts, just as there were a decade or more ago.
“What should I go for ?” I asked, in my usual ignorant/innocent voice.
Well beyond notes by this stage, but I can tell you the Tempest was an NBSS 4 and the unfussy pie extremely welcome, as evidenced by the inevitable slideshow.
Some regulars came in, and a young Italian couple clearly mesmerised by my table manners feast. They drank the real ale, I applaud them.
Simple, but wonderful.
After a weekend of unispiring beer quality, Edinburgh was now turning it on just as Manchester had in early January. Big cities are the place for cask.
Now, could I find my way back to Waverley ?
retiredmartin 
No Johnny Foreigner is ever going to suspect that real ale comes out of a tall font.
You’re still in a drunken haze somewhere in Edinburgh, aren’t you?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I got off at North Berwick by mistake.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Instead of Musselburgh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Bow Bar looks 100% my kind of place, nice post and a slide show as well.
LikeLike
Citra,
Yes, I was just thinking that I could have managed a pint in there – but three nights away is enough at my age.
LikeLiked by 2 people
If you look closely you’ll see that pie being eaten. Think it had black pudding in it.
LikeLike
You did well enough, Paul.
LikeLike
Well I do my best.
Nine nights away, Dundee and Edinburgh being the middle three, within four weeks is the most I’ve been away from home for several years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even better than I remember it. Did you end up thinking highly of Edinburgh as a pub town? I am assuming yes.
LikeLike
Indeed I did. Bennets was stunning and the beer quality off-peak was a lot better than I expected.
LikeLike
Love the Bow Bar!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fake News! If you’d looked closely and seen the plaque on the wall you might not be saying … ‘If you asked me to name a classic pub in Edinburgh I’d probably give you ten you’ve heard of, but the Bow Bar would be the first one that came to mind.’ Although a very good pub and excellent beer when I’ve been in, it’s a ‘Disney Pub’ created in 1987. Pretty good reconstruction of a late Victorian, early Edwardian pub though.
LikeLike
.But Humphrey’s best at good reconstructions of late Victorian, early Edwardian pubs though.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes. But does he fool Martin? Although Humphrey starts off with an existing pub whereas I believe Bow Bar was a totally blank canvass, if I remember rightly what the barman told me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m easily fooled, but rarely care. Heritage is for you CAMRAs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not so much about fooling anyone as creating an ambiance that a significant sector of drinkers likes. Humphrey leads the way but Black Country Ales and a few others do similar, though not as thorough, work.
And many “an existing pub” will have been refurbished often enough to have nothing of merit internally and so be little different to a totally blank canvass.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Don’t ever mistake classic with old, Richard 😉
North Bar is a classic, after all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not been impressed recently – quality nor range of cask.
LikeLike
That’s fair enough. You’ll know we’re fairly close on beer scoring. I was surprised by quality. Perhaps they even have busier periods in Edinburgh.
Beer ranges seemed very well chosen.
LikeLike
I’m surprised; had always assumed the Bow Bar was genuinely old. Do I like it any less now I know it only goes back to 1987? No I do not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Correct, Bill.
History is what you make today.
Say, that’s profound for me
LikeLike
I mean North Bar when I say not impressed recently. Only ever been in Bow Bar a couple of times and beer quality was spot on. Like Bill says , the fact it’s ‘Disney’ doesn’t make it any less good, in fact it has to be commended for being so good. I’ve half a mind I was told they used reclaimed salvage from other premises.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A Scotsman wears a kilt, but Walt Disney.
LikeLiked by 1 person
👏
LikeLike
Among the better ones in Edinburgh city centre that one.
LikeLike