please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Been going here on and off since 1981 and it's always been dark, dingy and the toilets filthy. However the atmosphere has always been friendly until today. Today I called in with my wife picked up a menu only to have it snatched out my hand by a drunk customer who then threatened to assault me for no reason!! The people on the next table got up and left in discuss and after being threatened again I decided to leave as the staff did nothing. The threats off the drunk don't bother me it's the fact the staff were happy to turn a blind eye. I'll not be going back and everyone who tells me they're going to Edinburgh I'll be telling them to give this place a wide berth.
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The Saltire was never a great pub but the current owners have taken it to another level. It�s now called the Black Rose Tavern but little else has changed. The toilets are still awful and the bar is still dark and dingy, as are most of the staff and customers coming from the great pierced unwashed. Service is somewhere between non-existent and grudging indifference. For pub historians out there the polo dancing stage is still there as well.
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Allegedly sells two real ales, Deuchars IPA and Old Speckled Hen but neither were available on my visit so had a crap pint of lager and went on my way. Pub was grubby and toilets none too clean. Didn't banter with my fellow punters as there weren't any despite the fact that the live music was due to begin shortly. When I walked past (staggered?) later in the evening, it appeared that not much had changed as there were more door staff than punters. Must be a least a dozen better pubs within 5 minutes walk.
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Had an absolutely fantastic night in here - made by the live music and the musicians bid to buy everyone a packet of crisps. Quality banter with the staff and fellow punters alike (met a man about to change his name by deed pole, as part of a challenge, to "Rubbish Just Rubbish") and with only a little cajoling dancing on the bar was allowed - you're made to sign a disclaimer first.
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Despite the name there seems to be more Yanks than Scots in there, including behind the bar. Food looks a bit better than my last visit but it won't make this a decent pub. Anyone remember the "polo" dancing in here years ago?
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Boring pub in a street that caters for piss heads and stag parties.Very busy in the summer and at weekends.Most visitors to edinburgh who don't know any better end up drinking in Rose street,as it is bang in the city centre and it is FULL of boozers,the thing is,most of them are shite.This being one of them.
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