Old Edinburgh pubs

[Joey J J Jr Shabadoo]

1 hour ago, Morgan said:

Well done, Joey!

 

There was a Bewleys tobacconist at Tollcross, underneath what became the Penthouse Bar.

 

I knew I’d heard the name somewhere.

 

 

👍 I had no idea there was a Bewleys up there.

[Goldstone Wonder]

On 05/03/2020 at 14:14, Morgan said:

I remember that at one stage it was a MacVitties Guest or a Crawfords bakers.

It was definitely a MacVitties Guest Tea House in Easter 1978.

 

My brother and I were staying at my Grandads at Crewe Toll for the whole Easter holidays. He used to take us there every morning for a chocolate eclair and we would open our World Cup '78 Panini stickers for our album! 

 

Best holiday ever and probably the main reason why I fell in love with Edinburgh. 

[Morgan]

46 minutes ago, Goldstone Wonder said:

It was definitely a MacVitties Guest Tea House in Easter 1978.

 

My brother and I were staying at my Grandads at Crewe Toll for the whole Easter holidays. He used to take us there every morning for a chocolate eclair and we would open our World Cup '78 Panini stickers for our album! 

 

Best holiday ever and probably the main reason why I fell in love with Edinburgh. 

Good wee story, nice memory.  

 

Also, thanks for confirming about MacVitties.

[Goldstone Wonder]

30 minutes ago, Morgan said:

Good wee story, nice memory.  

 

Also, thanks for confirming about MacVitties.

Thanks!

 

For what it's worth, I cannot think of a worse boozer in central Edinburgh than Shandwicks*

 

Makes the Alexander Graham Bell look like Studio 54. 

 

* I've probably said this already on this thread!

[Samuel Camazzola]

On 04/03/2020 at 18:09, Morgan said:

 

What was it called before Bewley's Stuart?

 

I'm pretty sure it had another name, but was still a coffee shop.

 

Edwards was some place at the weekends btw!!  

 

 

Ah, Edwards. I witnessed Riordan getting slapped about in that place by a Celtic fan circa 2006. The guy knew the bouncers so they turned a blind eye to what was happening then ejected the rat and his blonde mullet! 😄 

[Салатные палочки]

Was this anyone's local?

 

[Stuart Lyon]

13 hours ago, Salad Fingers said:

Was this anyone's local?

 

Another photo but minus the dug

 

[JudyJudyJudy]

On 11/03/2020 at 16:01, Goldstone Wonder said:

Thanks!

 

For what it's worth, I cannot think of a worse boozer in central Edinburgh than Shandwicks*

 

Makes the Alexander Graham Bell look like Studio 54. 

 

* I've probably said this already on this thread!

WE were there a few Saturdays ago Whats that saying ?  " the sites you see when you haven't got a gun?  LOL Stayed until around 10 ish then went to higher class establishments.  It was actually ok. it did the business really. Cheap drink cheap men cheap women.  

[Kalamazoo Jambo]

On 01/03/2020 at 04:32, The Real Maroonblood said:

Does anyone remember the Marchbank Hotel?

No photos sadly, but I spent pretty much the whole summer of 1990 there. Then the place burned down

 

[Doctor FinnBarr]

23 hours ago, JamesM48 said:

WE were there a few Saturdays ago Whats that saying ?  " the sites you see when you haven't got a gun?  LOL Stayed until around 10 ish then went to higher class establishments.  It was actually ok. it did the business really. Cheap drink cheap men cheap women.  

 

Pics please

[Stuart Lyon]

5 hours ago, Kalamazoo Jambo said:

No photos sadly, but I spent pretty much the whole summer of 1990 there. Then the place burned down

 

Go back on this thread to 1 March 2020 and you'll find a couple of photos of the Marchbank.

[JudyJudyJudy]

1 hour ago, FinnBarr Saunders said:

 

Pics please

I wasn’t that drunk 😂

[The Real Maroonblood]

6 hours ago, Kalamazoo Jambo said:

No photos sadly, but I spent pretty much the whole summer of 1990 there. Then the place burned down

 

I didn’t know it got burnt down.

[Kalamazoo Jambo]

3 hours ago, Stuart Lyon said:

Go back on this thread to 1 March 2020 and you'll find a couple of photos of the Marchbank.

Thanks, saw them, just didn’t have anything to add.

 

1 hour ago, The Real Maroonblood said:

I didn’t know it got burnt down.

Yeah, not quite burnt to the ground but suffered major fire damage and never reopened as a pub / hotel. Tried and failed to find a news article about this but think it was 90 or 91. Think it may have been restored as a private residence these days but I could be wrong about that.

[Locky]

On 12/06/2018 at 20:20, Locky said:

Still a good few proper boozers in the area. Regularly frequent the Southsider. There's a strong student connection and even tourist, but still a lot of working class drink in there.

 

The Abbey is good too especially when football's on. Never actually been to Neebors or Cask and B in West Preston Street.

 

Never been to the Grapes either. Don't think I'm missing much. Jeannie Swifts (sp) is another I've never been in but get the impression it's also a bit rough.

 

Anywhere else is either too pricey or carers for a more specialist audience.

I have since been to The Grapes. Funnily enough, the day I last went through to Motherwell away for the Friday night LC game. Me and another poster from here had the day off work, started in the Abbey about 12 for a 7.45 kick off.  popped in The Grapes for one on our way to the town to get the train. Interesting place to say the least, but pleasant enough and cheap, which suits me nicely.

On 25/07/2018 at 17:28, robbo1874 said:

Add Spiers Bar to the list. Apparently taken over by Montpelier lot, whoever they are.

Wasn't one I went in no big deal to me but was one of the few "boozers" left in that area.

Mind that's me judging it by clientele rather than actually using the place

Spiers was a great wee pub. Me and a few boys from my old job used to meet there early on a Saturday afternoon before works do's to watch the football, then a 10 minute bus up the road to town to head on out. Good times.

[Locky]

On 17/11/2021 at 08:27, Stuart Lyon said:

Another photo but minus the dug

 

Sadly never got the chance to venture in there in the end. I started seeing my ex who was from Niddrie in 2010, and recall it being open but not for a lot longer. I wasn't 18 yet by that point but get the impression that might not have mattered too much. Lay derelict for a while before the Tesco was built in around 2012.

 

There was another pub I recall too from that time which again, I didn't get a chance to visit. Also got demolished for a supermarket on what is now the Farmfoods down from the Duddy Fry. Think it was the Duddy Mills maybe but could be wrong.

[Ribble]

32 minutes ago, Locky said:

Spiers was a great wee pub. Me and a few boys from my old job used to meet there early on a Saturday afternoon before works do's to watch the football, then a 10 minute bus up the road to town to head on out. Good times.

 

I used to work across the road at trinity park house for the NHS, we were frequent friday lunchtime visitors, even at 12 noon with only 3-4 regulars there  you would walk in and were hardly able to see where the bar was due to the smoke.

 

Also have memories of one lassie from work having to be picked up by her dad due to the state of her after spending slightly too long in there one lunchtime and by picked up I literally mean her dad had to come and pick her up off the floor in reception and carry her to his car!

[Locky]

27 minutes ago, Ribble said:

 

I used to work across the road at trinity park house for the NHS, we were frequent friday lunchtime visitors, even at 12 noon with only 3-4 regulars there  you would walk in and were hardly able to see where the bar was due to the smoke.

 

Also have memories of one lassie from work having to be picked up by her dad due to the state of her after spending slightly too long in there one lunchtime and by picked up I literally mean her dad had to come and pick her up off the floor in reception and carry her to his car!

One of my aforementioned colleagues and Spier's buddies, once went to the Annfield down Newhaven on a Saturday afternoon as it dawned on him despite being a Leither all his life, he'd never been in. Somebody in the pub ended up in that very state and 2 locals had to carry him home. Only one problem, he was the ****ing barman.  

 

Some poor older dear who had popped in for a couple of drinks after her shift in Asda had to take over the bar for half an hour until they could get the next person to come in a bit earlier. What a place.

[Snax67]

On 19/03/2018 at 13:37, Francis Albert said:

Speaking of Barnton what wasthe name of the pub along the road that was on the first floor level?

The Fountain

[Snax67]

The Fountain or Fountain Inn

[Francis Albert]

On 05/01/2022 at 09:45, Snax67 said:

The Fountain

Thanks. Better late than never!

[jb102]

On 05/01/2022 at 09:46, Snax67 said:

The Fountain or Fountain Inn

I knew the manager of the Fountain back in the eighties.Drank himself into alcoholism and debt and was the worst armed robber I have ever known.

[Seymour M Hersh]

On 05/01/2022 at 09:45, Snax67 said:

The Fountain

 

Did the great Waldo not own that? 

[Seymour M Hersh]

On 18/11/2021 at 14:04, Locky said:

One of my aforementioned colleagues and Spier's buddies, once went to the Annfield down Newhaven on a Saturday afternoon as it dawned on him despite being a Leither all his life, he'd never been in. Somebody in the pub ended up in that very state and 2 locals had to carry him home. Only one problem, he was the ****ing barman.  

 

Some poor older dear who had popped in for a couple of drinks after her shift in Asda had to take over the bar for half an hour until they could get the next person to come in a bit earlier. What a place.

 

I think that the Annfield has been gentrified and is called something like Oscars Bar now. 

[the general]

18 minutes ago, Seymour M Hersh said:

 

I think that the Annfield has been gentrified and is called something like Oscars Bar now. 

 

Basil's?

[Seymour M Hersh]

45 minutes ago, the general said:

 

Basil's?

 

Correct. Knew it was something posh! 

[Locky]

2 hours ago, Seymour M Hersh said:

 

I think that the Annfield has been gentrified and is called something like Oscars Bar now. 

Didn't realise it was totally gone now. Never had the pleasure myself.

 

I was reading a few articles on the Nutmeg website and stumbled upon one about a Brazilian football writer who came to Scotland for a while and started following Hibs. Annfield was his local pub, but according to him it was all Hearts fans including the boy who ran it.

[Morgan]

On 05/01/2022 at 10:45, Snax67 said:

The Fountain

 

On 05/01/2022 at 10:46, Snax67 said:

The Fountain or Fountain Inn

Is the pub that used to be The Dundee Arms (better known as Vietnam) not called the Fountain now as well?

[ri Alban]

What's the best place to go on a pub crawl? 

And what about restaurants, where's the best?

Edited January 8, 2022 by ri Alban

[Locky]

3 hours ago, Morgan said:

 

Is the pub that used to be The Dundee Arms (better known as Vietnam) not called the Fountain now as well?

It is indeed Morgs, but a lot different from how you'll remember it.  

[Fxxx the SPFL]

4 hours ago, Locky said:

Didn't realise it was totally gone now. Never had the pleasure myself.

 

I was reading a few articles on the Nutmeg website and stumbled upon one about a Brazilian football writer who came to Scotland for a while and started following Hibs. Annfield was his local pub, but according to him it was all Hearts fans including the boy who ran it.

The woman can’t remember her name possibly Ann who ran it was a big jambo but was the partner of ex Hibs player Bobby Preston and yes a good few jambos drank in there including my good self. A few of us from Annfield went on the week long Derek Crosbie coach trip to Bosnia (Zelzinicar) what a hoot that was 

[the general]

Ryries has reopened and they have done a great restoration job on it

[The Real Maroonblood]

1 hour ago, the general said:

Ryries has reopened and they have done a great restoration job on it

I see photo on another add and it looks impressive.

A good selections of real ales.

[Locky]

 Apologies if it has already been mentioned here, but just saw an article saying Smithie's in Eyre Place is sat closed and set to make way for flats.

 

Never ventured in there myself but a few mates rated it highly. One of the last few decent pubs down there I think.

[Tazio]

1 hour ago, Locky said:

 Apologies if it has already been mentioned here, but just saw an article saying Smithie's in Eyre Place is sat closed and set to make way for flats.

 

Never ventured in there myself but a few mates rated it highly. One of the last few decent pubs down there I think.

Not been in it for a very long time but it was certainly a hang out for some pretty heavy casual types at one time. 

[Fxxx the SPFL]

2 hours ago, Locky said:

 Apologies if it has already been mentioned here, but just saw an article saying Smithie's in Eyre Place is sat closed and set to make way for flats.

 

Never ventured in there myself but a few mates rated it highly. One of the last few decent pubs down there I think.

Has been mentioned before jambo owners the laddie was a season ticket holder we used to go in on Sundays Jimmy Sandison was always in good boozer another gone 

[Tazio]

Had a couple in the Blue Blazer tonight. Always a good pub but seems to have become popular with Edinburgh Uni types recently. 

[The Real Maroonblood]

8 minutes ago, Tazio said:

Had a couple in the Blue Blazer tonight. Always a good pub but seems to have become popular with Edinburgh Uni types recently. 

Good pub but not been there for a few years.

 

[Shanks said no]

19 minutes ago, Tazio said:

Had a couple in the Blue Blazer tonight. Always a good pub but seems to have become popular with Edinburgh Uni types recently. 

 

We went in on Black Friday, didn't like the look of the beer selection or service and walked out again.

[Morgan]

3 hours ago, **** the SPFL said:

Has been mentioned before jambo owners the laddie was a season ticket holder we used to go in on Sundays Jimmy Sandison was always in good boozer another gone 

You don’t make your posts easy to read, Ray!   😳

[JudyJudyJudy]

On 08/01/2022 at 13:53, Morgan said:

 

Is the pub that used to be The Dundee Arms (better known as Vietnam) not called the Fountain now as well?

Yes it is. Its a bit more fancy now. Went for meal there and wasn't happen that they added a service charge to the meal. Its not a bloody restaurant so out of principle wont be back.  Shame as the food was not bad actually although the haggis balls i had were rather greasy and oily, 

On 08/02/2022 at 10:33, the general said:

Ryries has reopened and they have done a great restoration job on it

It looks great from outside. . Not been in yet  but will try in a few weeks. 

12 hours ago, Tazio said:

Had a couple in the Blue Blazer tonight. Always a good pub but seems to have become popular with Edinburgh Uni types recently. 

It was our local when I was at Uni up that way. 

[3fingersreid]

54 minutes ago, JamesM48 said:

Yes it is. Its a bit more fancy now. Went for meal there and wasn't happen that they added a service charge to the meal. Its not a bloody restaurant so out of principle wont be back.  Shame as the food was not bad actually although the haggis balls i had were rather greasy and oily, 

It looks great from outside. . Not been in yet  but will try in a few weeks. 

It was our local when I was at Uni up that way. 

Do you have to pay the service charge ??

[JudyJudyJudy]

6 minutes ago, 3fingersreid said:

Do you have to pay the service charge ??

Apparently you dont have to. I didnt know that . I dont mind tipping but not when its imposed in a sly way like this. 

[Morgan]

1 hour ago, JamesM48 said:

Yes it is. Its a bit more fancy now. Went for meal there and wasn't happen that they added a service charge to the meal. Its not a bloody restaurant so out of principle wont be back.  Shame as the food was not bad actually although the haggis balls i had were rather greasy and oily, 

It looks great from outside. . Not been in yet  but will try in a few weeks. 

It was our local when I was at Uni up that way. 

 

8 minutes ago, 3fingersreid said:

Do you have to pay the service charge ??

James was too upset that his balls were greasy and oily to be concerned about a mere service charge.

 

[JudyJudyJudy]

1 minute ago, Morgan said:

 

James was too upset that his balls were greasy and oily to be concerned about a mere service charge.

 

They were very greasy. the oil was dripping out of them when I had them in my mouth 

 

 

 

[3fingersreid]

1 hour ago, Morgan said:

 

James was too upset that his balls were greasy and oily to be concerned about a mere service charge.

 

If the waitress did that to my balls I’d be delighted to give a service tip 

[Fxxx the SPFL]

14 hours ago, Morgan said:

You don’t make your posts easy to read, Ray!   😳

grammar was never my strong point Morgan 

[Paddy Crossan]

20 hours ago, Tazio said:

Not been in it for a very long time but it was certainly a hang out for some pretty heavy casual types at one time. 

I think that was when a guy called Scott was managing  it. He was a His supporter and a w****r. He went on to manage Clarks bar along the road and made a hash of that banning lots of locals who had been going for years. The 2 other pubs near Smithies used to be decent working class pubs but now are yuppie crap holes. I used to pop in Smithie's now and again and there was usually a few Hearts fans there.

[Fxxx the SPFL]

3 minutes ago, Paddy Crossan said:

I think that was when a guy called Scott was managing  it. He was a His supporter and a w****r. He went on to manage Clarks bar along the road and made a hash of that banning lots of locals who had been going for years. The 2 other pubs near Smithies used to be decent working class pubs but now are yuppie crap holes. I used to pop in Smithie's now and again and there was usually a few Hearts fans there.

The Stags Head was one really decent old fashioned boozer now it's O'connors i think but yep another old pub that bit the dust. very few oldie type boozers left in Edinburgh now.

[Paddy Crossan]

2 minutes ago, **** the SPFL said:

The Stags Head was one really decent old fashioned boozer now it's O'connors i think but yep another old pub that bit the dust. very few oldie type boozers left in Edinburgh now.

The Stags Head and the one across the road, I think it was McGowans at one time, both had pool tables, don't see many of them in city pubs now. The Stags Head was also popular for darts players.