Bow Bar
80 West Bow
What is it: This unassuming wee pub on Edinburgh's West Bow has won several awards over the years including pub of the year, whisky and real ale awards for the likes of Camra, the Good Pub Guide and The Whisky Magazine. Inside they don't rely on brick-a-brac furnishings and memorabilia to make it more interesting. This is a simple Scottish pub with one of the best drinks selections in the country.
Interesting fact: It is hard to find any real detail on the history of the Bow Bar. From its interior you would be led to believe that it has been here since the 1800s but in fact it has only been around since the early 1990s and I believe was designed by one of Edinburgh's most proli?c pub architects, Ian Whyte, who was also responsible for restoring and bringing back to life many of Edinburgh most historic pubs.
Verdict: I do like to bring people here that are visiting Edinburgh for the first time to let them see a proper pub. If I’m honest I also love nothing more after finishing a busy day of meetings in the capital than to grab a newspaper and hotfoot it to the Bow Bar for a wee half and hauf before heading for the train. The staff here know their stuff and are always ready and willing to talk you through what they have on offer.
Drink: They don’t mess about here when it comes to the drink offering with around 310 Single Malts, 50 international bottled beers, eight cask-conditioned ales and six keg beers to keep you coming back for more. The pub constantly has new and interesting products on its bar. I opted for a delicious beer made especially for the Bow Bar, for their summer beer festival. Anzac biscuit ale, from the Fallen brewery, is made with oats, golden syrup coconut and hops from Australia and New Zealand.
Food: It's not really about the food here but there is a small window between 12pm-3pm when you can get your hands on locally made pies filled with steak and blue cheese, or haggis, cheese and chilli, which are perfect for a quick refuel.
Prices: Not too bad at all and certainly beat the prices on the nearby Royal Mile and Grassmarket. Some of the beers and whiskies can be expensive but as always, with the Bow Bar you get what you pay for.
Children: Not really a place the kids would enjoy so let's leave this place to the adults.
Alfresco: No need when it's this good inside.
Perfect for: This is my go-to pub in the capital, my “safe place” if you like. It has everything I look for in a traditional Scottish pub and more. So many visitors from abroad want to experience a real Scottish pub so don’t take them to the chain ones dotted along the royal mile: get them down here for a true experience.
Avoid if: I understand that a pub atmosphere is not everyone's cup of ale and a lot of folk like the glitz and glamour of a hotel or cocktail bar. If you are one of those folks who would never normally set foot in somewhere like this, then I urge just to give it a try and hopefully you will understand what a proper pub is all about.
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