The Grassmarket

A few weeks ago, I visited this restaurant to watch one of the World Cup quarter-finals with some friends. While it offered a friendly atmosphere for relaxation, it mostly seemed to be frequented by regular locals who visit almost daily and treat the place like their own. The ambiance was decent during the game, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it might feel rather gloomy at other times. The interior decor leaves much to be desired, and while there is ample seating, the place could use some sprucing up. On the positive side, they do have a large television screen that was perfect for showing the match, and the prices were quite reasonable.

A lovely little spot in the Grassmarket area. It's mostly frequented by tourists, which makes sense given the location. The drinks came out promptly, and they offered a nice variety of popular selections as well as some local Scottish brews. The prices were quite reasonable for the area. While I wouldn’t choose to stay for multiple drinks, it was an ideal place to grab a quick drink before heading back to our Airbnb for the night. However, the seating is very limited.

The staff are friendly, but they seem unable to manage the rowdy, intoxicated patrons. The bar boasts a wide selection of beers, ales, and wines at reasonable prices, and there's even a student discount available. There's a large screen TV that shows sporting events, including all the World Cup football matches. The atmosphere inside is lively, but the presence of the locals really brings it down. If it weren't for the drunken and sleazy men hanging around, I would have loved this pub because the drinks and vibe are enjoyable. However, I felt uncomfortable and probably won't return.

Ah, the lazy, beautiful Grassmarket; a cosmopolitan zone for chilled out eaters and strollers wanting the best of broad, Parisian streets, cosy cafes and restaurants, and green trees. There is a wonderful feeling community here, and the busy city behind the hill seems almost forgot. The Grassmarket is like a small slice of provincial life, watched over by the striking castle above. Some days you will find market stalls stretching its length, which are lovely to wander through, and something makes me want to believe the stall owners have come from far away places where buildings are made of wood and have meadows all around. Ah, such is the effect of the Grassmarket.

We decided to nip over to The Grassmarket Bar after a couple of fancy dancy cocktails at The Dragonfly, which left us suitably tipsy and willing to 'try anything '. Fast forward a couple of hours and you will find three incredibly drunk girls joining in with football chants for a team I cannot even remember. The bar has a huge screen for sports and the drink is really reasonably priced, we were just happy to get a pint for under a fiver after skinning ourselves at the cocktail bar! Nice atmosphere, nice enough pub (although absolutely roasting hot, air con anyone? and full of brilliant singers! Excluding us of course.