Negociants Review

I had an epiphany last time I was in Negociants, a bistro/bar near the University’s McEwan hall. It wasn’t one of those drunken ones that you stumble across eight pints in at 1 am in the morning; you know, the type that wastes the rest of your night as you badger potential converts and beg others for bits of paper to scribble your idea down. No, not one of those, no waking up wondering what that fantastic idea was or how you got home; or if this is your home and why all you’ve got to show for an empty wallet is a headache, a burgeoning sense of social exclusion and a new tattoo.

No wondering who Hamish is?

And why ‘forever’?

No, this was one I can recall.

It helped that I was at Negociants for breakfast. The bar itself is open until 3 am and with good food served until 2.30am, its late night snacks are legendary with the student fraternity (and sorority too). Just what you need after a heavy night or for a timely interlude; though be warned getting a table in this all-seated, table service bar gets more difficult as the night wears on.

It also helped that I was drinking strong, reality-focussing coffee and not a liquid with a nomenclature that is traditionally preceded with ‘malt’, ‘pint of’ or ‘bottle of’.

It was a sunny Monday morning (don’t things just seem more positive when you can watch others trudge to work) and the bright, breezy interior was lit up with summer cheerfulness as my breakfast companion and I suffered temporary dietary amnesia and hoovered down a couple of full breakfasts. Proper breakfasts; the sort designed with completists in mind, sausages (note the plural), bacon, egg, black pudding; basically if you could catch it, mince it and fry it there it was on your plate.

Brilliant, just what the body needs after a night of alcohol abuse, cholesterol abuse. I loved it. I hadn’t even been hungry when I’d got there, but it just had to be done.

Admittedly this was partly because there was a deal on, two breakfasts for £10 and which sot is going to ignore that?

This was followed by more coffee, a little toast and a perusal of the complimentary papers held by the front door (there’s internet access too). I was chatting away with my friend who as an ex-Edinburgh University student (long term; under and post) was a Negociants veteran and it struck me. Forget about power, money and all that guff; for a while disregard who is invading where, who lied or who did what to whom with which kitchen implement. Life’s really about relaxing somewhere in the sunshine with good company and good food. Truly I believe it’s what I was designed for.

And Negociants is an ideal place to do it....read more

Negociants Description

Be what you want to be in this drinkerie that defies labelling. Depending on the mood you may find a restaurant, a café, or simply a bar. Whether it’s settling down to relax with a coffee and the morning papers, nipping in for a quick bite at lunch or spending the night socialising with friends over some drinks, why not come and see why Edinburgh’s locals in the know have been frequenting Negociants for over two decades now.

Additional Information

• Cuisine Type: Bar
• Dress Code: Not Specified
• Group: (Independent/Freehouse)