Top 10 Best Pubs

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Bars & Pubs

In Scotland’s vigorous capital, one can find it very difficult to get bored. Edinburgh is home to some of the best pubs in the world, and offers so many different venues to choose from. A simple pub crawl up the length of The Royal Mile in Old Town is a task not fit for the faint-hearted. There are more beers, ales, lagers and stouts than any sane drinker could ever possibly need, so choosing the right pub can be a little tricky. To facilitate the arduous decision-making process, Fluid Edinburgh offers this comprehensive guide to the Top 10 Best Pubs in Edinburgh.

Now get out there and have a memorable night out!

Image courtesy of Flickr user jpe118.

Tags: Pubs

The Brauhaus
Tollcross / Bar /

Tollcross - This German corner pub may be small, but the beer selection is anything but. The menu is like a guide that encompasses countless exported beers from all over the world. Just pick any country, study its assortment, and make a choice. Can't decide? Then try the £10 beer bucket containing 5 tipples from around the globe. It may be difficult to find a spot when arriving at this pub after 9pm, but in the evening, the comfy couch is often up for grabs! One of Edinburgh's best beer pubs.

Shakespeare's
Abbeyhill / Bar / Cuisine: Pub

The West End - 'O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo'? Well, he's likely to be found at Shakespeare's pub having a burger and pint for £4.99 whilst watching a football game on the enormous plasma screen, dear Juliet. Or maybe he's there ordering a delicious 2-meal deal for only £9.75! See, Romeo, like so many of us, enjoys a relaxing night out in Edinburgh with a reasonably priced cold beer, great music and top-notch pub grub. Pubs in Edinburgh don't come much more affordable than this.

The Standing Order
New Town / Bar / Cuisine: Pub

New Town - Despite the location of this pub on Edinburgh's reputedly upmarket George Street, and despite the name that it has been given, The Standing Order pub's prices are among the most affordable in Edinburgh. From beers, to cocktails, to malt whiskies, to amazing food, the menu has something for everyone, which is usually to be expected from a Wetherspoons' pub. And to think this building used to be a Bank of Scotland!

The Cumberland Bar
New Town / Bar / Cuisine: Bar

New Town - On Edinburgh's quiet residential Cumberland Street lies this remarkable local pub. The traditional Cumberland Bar offers an enormous variety of excellent cask conditioned ales and beers, some of the best in Edinburgh. But a sunny day in Scotland is definitely not to be spent inside a dimly lit pub. Thankfully, this bar has a charming beer garden, where I love to spend my summer afternoons. The friendly staff and the relaxed ambiance are what make folks want to go back, not the prices.

The Last Drop
Old Town / Bar / Cuisine: Pub

Old Town - Grassmarket is home to several outstanding pubs, which makes it difficult to decide upon just one pub at a time. But take it from someone who has explored every one of these aligned bars: The Last Drop pub is by far the best choice on Grassmarket. Though the name refers to the 18th century public hangings that occurred on Grassmarket, The Last Drop pub is now a happy place where folks drink refreshing pints to the very last drop (not to be confused with drinking until you drop).

The Illicit Still
Tollcross / Bar / Cuisine: Pub

Tollcross - This central Edinburgh pub is inexpensive and cosy, and the staff are incredibly sweet (and quite the good-looking bunch, I'll say). There are tons of board games to choose from, so if the conversation goes flat on a first date, there's always a way to avoid awkward silences. I suggest going on a Tuesday for the comedy night, and finishing off the experience with an intense game of Connect Four. Best of all, this pub is not a typical Top 10 lister because it's a hidden gem of a pub.

Haymarket Bar
West End / Bar / Cuisine: Pub

The West End - Edinburgh's Westenders don't need to make their way to the City Centre to find a suitable pub; there's one located right around the corner from Haymarket train station! The interior design is unique and inviting, and the numerous TV screens make this a great place to follow sports. A wide selection of beer and wine is on offer. Plus, I can vouch for the mouth-watering dishes from their extensive and reasonably priced menu. Delightful and filling meal for £2.99 anyone? Yes please!

The Blind Poet
Old Town / Bar / Cuisine: Pub

Old Town - This small energetic pub is known for its student clientele, but just about anyone could lounge in the couches with a cold pint, and enjoy a memorable evening. Intellectuality and pleasure come together, as the academic decor consists of famous literary quotes and iconic posters, which garnish the pub walls. Live music and open mic nights are not rare, as well as quiz nights and live sports on TV. This pub is intimate, charming, full of character, and located just off Nicolson Street.

The Auld Hoose
Old Town / Bar / Cuisine: Pub

Old Town - This Scottish pub is as traditional as its name, and highly recommended for a pleasant evening out. Student discounts, alternative music, hand-pulled real ales, an enormous selection of ciders and single malt whiskies, amazing pub food, Tuesday quiz nights and a lively young atmosphere every night of the week; what more can one ask for from a pub? Maybe a Scrabble board? Oh wait, they have that too! Granted, it's not the cheapest pub in town, but it's definitely one of the best pubs.

Jekyll & Hyde
New Town / Bar / Cuisine: Pub

New Town - At the Jekyll & Hyde pub in central Edinburgh, searching for the mysteriously concealed loo could be quite the nightmare, especially after a few pints of £1.50 John Smiths beer. This theme pub obviously takes its dark and eerie atmosphere from Robert Louis Stevenson's novel, which made literary history for Scotland. Now, Jekyll & Hyde in New Town is making pub history, as one of the best pubs in the city. For old horror film geeks like myself, B movies are presented on Monday nights.

Leslie’s Bar
Newington / Bar /