CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh
“Oldest pub on the Royal Mile to become oyster bar”
(14 posts)-
Posted 6 years ago #
-
The photo is what it looked like before the previous makeover, a real 1970s Tartan Special logo. Quite nostalgic for such a pub. The hacienda in Dublin continues to abide, though it does have two very superior pool tables and a number of pool hustlers.
The current makeover has been down in the cellar and up in the bar and the back room so substantial. It was until recently part of the Sophie's, Joseph Pearce, Hemma, akva chain, think.
The Kleen Cleaners on st ,army's street with back door on Gullan's close also being renovated so my cuthrough has had many builders' vans parked up. There is another close to access the Royal mile at the moment, just down a wee bit.
Will google tollbooth tavern you might think it was older than 1742. The stappit stravaigin of 1639 would maybe have been outside the city walls?
Yes tolbooth is older building from 16th century but it was not a tavern then of course it was an, err, Tolbooth
Posted 6 years ago # -
Have you seen what they've done to the Peartree. The beer garden is still fine, but they've ruined the inside something rotten. Fond memories from my yoof have been blown away like so many cobwebs. Most of the beers they have on are fake craft. Bad times.
Posted 6 years ago # -
It's the West End Hotel bar I mourn. I do love a shabby hotel bar.
White Horse told me to drink up and leave ASAP last time I was in.
Posted 6 years ago # -
When the Jolly Judge starts serving anything other than totally awful beers, I'll know it's time to abandon the royal mile.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Jolly judge still good.
Shame about the pear tree
I have pal in Dublin who used to sit in the U2 hotel bar, before they bought it, at lunchtime, just to hear the old fellas talkin'
Posted 6 years ago # -
An oyster restaurant is not a traditional bar but it would most likely have changed in to a bar shaped object like most Edinburgh bars. Is the kings walk really a bar or a restaurant in the style of a bar a lot of restaurants with a bar theme it may be the price of beer, pub companies, smoking ban, lack of real bar customers whatever the reason many bars are now theme restaurants the main difference between this being a oyster restaurant rather a restaurant in the shape of a bar is the lack of a rare burger.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I was ranting about similar last time I was in the Sheeps Heid, its now a very small bar with lots of food service. (and the bowling)
Posted 6 years ago # -
@steveo
Ten minute walk to Oman's from the Sheep Heid. Pub games, plently elbow room.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Yes, given up on the Peartree after the refurb. It looks like a 1980s suburban pub fitted out from a kit. Utterly characterless. What a waste of all that money and months of being closed. Jolly Judge tends to have lots of high-alcohol beers on tap and not much in the way of session ales, but still a good friendly place. And good pub quiz.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Cheers IWRATS I'll keep that in mind next time I'm on the wrong wide of town.
Posted 6 years ago # -
@steveo, here are some of the pub games on offer at Omans
Chin the stranger
Chib the stranger
Rob the strangerPosted 6 years ago # -
Have you seen what they've done to the Peartree.
Aye. Arranged to meet a pal there during the Festival. We had both got there early, wandered in separately, then met at the top of the stairs:
"They've ruined the Peartree."
"Yes, let's go somewhere else."
We won't be going back.I used to like the Jolly Judge. Back when I was a student, the Deuchars they had on there was as close to a pint of beer as you could find in central Edinburgh. My, times have changed.
[Edit to say that I still do like the JJ. It's like an old pal whose foibles I can forgive.]Posted 6 years ago # -
White Horse has been closed for about a year now, it's previous makeover gutted the interior and turned it into something of a ye olde Edinburghe theme bar with a curiously sterile, modern interior serving cappuccinos that was probably hoping to cash in on the tourist trade.
Was in it a few times in older guise and it was quite the place. Think heavily varnished plywood from floor to ceiling, red faux-leather benches, Hibs memorabilia festooning the walls from the glory days of the 70s and 80s, formidable team behind the bar and an average punter age pushing 70. The vibe was more bowling club than public bar, for instance the toilets had carpet in them. They had a strange karaoke set-up where the karaoke host also sang all the requested songs for you. I think they took a shine to us as an old lady brought us round a big tray of Chinese takeaway at one point saying that they always send round for some on a Saturday night, paid for by the regulars, and we should help ourselves. And they gave us a free pint at the end of the night for having been there all night. First and only free takeaway or pint I've ever gotten in Edinburgh.
Posted 6 years ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.
posts
