A Fresher's Guide to Edinburgh's student pubs and bars
By Jane Lee
Where to go?
It’s Freshers Week and on the recommendation of EUSA, you’ve seen and been to Potterrow to get yourself a cheeky pint. Now it’s time to venture out and find somewhere new. With the competing society Welcome Week noise of pub crawls and quiz nights, the choice of bar and pub can seem overwhelming. But… there is no need to worry, as this comprehensive guide is here to break it down for you.
Newington/Southbridge
Newington Road… a hub of student housing and consequently the home of many pubs and bars.
Southsider @ West Richmond Street – aside from Potterrow, this pub is probably one of the cheapest spots in Edinburgh to get yourself a pint. Conveniently it’s also located next to George Square.
Pear Tree @ West Nicholson Street – A classic meeting ground for Edinburgh students, especially when there is sport on. Pear Tree is home to Edinburgh’s largest outdoor TV ideal for catching the Six Nations or any other major sport. Don’t forget however to bring warm clothes.
The Dog House @ Clerk Street – Known for its eccentric and quirky decor, this cocktail bar is ideal for those nights where you fancy something more than a standard pint in a pub. Note, It fills up quickly, so get there earlier in the night if you want a spot to sit!
Brass Monkey @ Drummond Street – An ideal location for any film fanatics, this Brass Monkey pub hosts daily film screenings in their back room, which also features wall to wall sofas.
Pilgrim @ Robertson’s Close – serving classic, hand-shaken cocktails and its infamous fishbowl pitchers. If you don’t mind waking up the next morning with a dent in your bank account alongside a hangover, this is a great place to go to grab drinks before a night out on Cowgate.
Tollcross
For those who live on Riego Street or anyone venturing out away from Newington and into the West End.
The Ventoux @ Brougham Street – with bikes on ceilings, outdoor seating and huge fish tanks, Ventoux is a popular location for both students and locals. Its vibe instantly transforms you to continental Europe, ideal to escape those rainy Edinburgh evenings.
Bennet’s Bar @ Leven Street – Bennet’s Bar has two entrances under two different names: Bennet’s Bar and Backstage Bar. The drinks are cheap and they serve food until 11pm.
The Caley Picture House @ Lothian Road – like all other Wetherspoons, it has a cheap menu (for the region), toilets that are a maze to navigate to and huge seating areas. If you find yourself too lazy to go all the way to Waverly or New Town for Spoons, try this place out.
Marchmont
A more secluded and residential area compared to that of the bustling life of the city centre and Newington, that being said, there’s still some good places to drink that can be found here, especially for those living in Warrender Park Road/Terrace.
The Earl of Marchmont @ Marchmont Cresent
The Argyle and Cellar Bar @ Argyle Place
Both are within a stones throw of each other, so there is definitely potential for a crawl. Both feature outside seating ideal for the light Edinburgh evenings.
