please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I think the manager's fish n bread, now!
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I foolishly went there again this evening - my excuse is that some of my friends go there. Beer no better than average - disappointing for a formerly (?) CAMRA rated pub. Mainly 'own brand' beers. The budget decrease of 1p was swiftly followed by a 6p increase. The attitude of manager was not good, so I left...
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Having been here many times in the past both with family and friends... we particularly liked that the establishment was dog friendly. We have brought our dog many times with no problems. Today our food was merely warm and after being there for 45 mins we were then told by the owner that "don't worry we are dog friendly but would like you to sit at a side table with him tucked away!" My wife and I were furious as this was in full earshot of other customers and we had already been sitting there for 45mins. We wouldn't have really minded if we were told when we first arrived. From a pub that seemed to love dogs it seems that is no longer the case. Unfortunately we will not be back due to the way were were "spoken to" like "schoolchildren"!! Terrible customer service! Luckily there are plenty of other places we can go slightly further afield.
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Went to this pub on and off for over 20 years until that is the
disastrous "upgrade" a couple of years ago.... prices went through the roof and most regulars decamped to more congenial surroundings. Popped in before Xmas to see if there had been any improvement but if anything it's worse.
Main problem seems to be the "manager" who appears to regard customers as a nuisance and will quite happily ignore newcomers who dare to enter his domain.In fact his basic social/pub skills are so poor it makes you wonder what on earth he is doing in the licensed trade in the first place.
Pub survives nowadays on elderly, wealthy locals who don't appear bothered by sky high prices and crap service. Be warned! if you're under 65 you will probably be the youngest person in the place !
All in all a great shame as this used to be a lovely friendly watering hole but
is now about as much fun as an evening spent in the TV lounge of an old folk's home.
Well worth avoiding until it gets a proper landlord who knows how to run a pub.
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Came across this on a walk between Leith and Granton. It now seems to be part of the Greene King empire and was actually pleased to drink two different Belhaven beers on handpump, which I'd never had before - the only examples being keg. Nothing remarkable taste wise but they were well kept beers, as were the better beers from one of the micros. Food was reasonablly priced and staff welcoming. Views over the Forth beautiful!
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I think it's fair to say that this pub isn't quite the homespun real ale heaven that it was before the refurbishment in 2010, but nor has it deteriorated into the formula-driven clone bar that many (most?) other pubs have. During my visit (Friday 12th Jan) I had excellent pints of Landlord, Lia Faill and Abbott Ale, while my pal drank Green King IPA. One pint wasn't topped up (something else that wouldn't have happened pre-refurb) but on the plus side I didn't notice the TVs or piped music and the foodie shift seemed to have evacuated by the time we turned up. Overall, a pleasant few pints in a convivial atmosphere.
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On the strength of yesterday's visit, I'd recommend this place to anyone. There were 8 real ales on. I had a very good pint of Trade Winds and a half of Williams' Midnight Sun which was excellent. Food and service were also very good.
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I agree with previous posts that there is a clear deterioration in the overall rating of this pub which steems from changes made in April 2010.
Getting the simple things right seem to be the major failing here.
Penny pinching tactics of not completely filling pints or trying to fob off pints poured 1 hour previously as a fresh pint is a sad reflection of what WAS a decent pub.
Get your act together as punters are already going elsewhere.
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This pub has recently been refurbished, but is a major disappointment. Previously slightly run-down, but with good beer, home-made food and good service, it's now a chain pub with very average beer, poor service, microwaved portion-controlled food and multiple TV screens that never seem to get turned off. Not for me! Try the Old Chain Pier across the road, which has improved greatly in recent months...
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As soon as I entered this pub I felt an overwhelming feeling of disappointment. I felt like I was in a restaurant that served beer as opposed to a pub. Maybe it was the smartly dressed people occupying all the tables. Maybe it was the uniformed barmen with the seriously gelled hair. It just isn't the traditional boozer I was expecting.
There are eight pumps although only four of them were in operation serving Landlord, Abbot and Kelburn Goldihops. Despite there being four barmen I still waited for about five minutes to be served. I opted for a pint of the Goldihops which was filled to a certain point and then left with a large head. I naively assumed the barman was leaving it to settle and would come back to top it up (wrong!) I had to ask another barman to do it. I found the pint to be insipid.
The pub is in the GBG so maybe I was unlucky but I won't be hurrying back.
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This is the first pub I have ever reviewed, so here goes. I admit to having a bias for this establishment because I regard myself as a sometimes local. Myself and others drifted across the road from a pub which had gone totally downhill, however, I am glad that we did move to the Starbank for many reasons. Firstly, as a previous reviewer stated there are six real ales on and more often than not there is one you have never tried before. This can be from a Scottish micro or an English brewerey. I have always had a good welcome from all the staff including management. There is always plenty going on, including quiz nights and the occasional jazz band. It may be quiet at lunch time but a lot of pubs are these days that are not in the centre of Edinburgh. All in all a quality place to drink.
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I like the Starbank, it's a genuine pub that people travel to for the atmosphere and conversation ( I went early evening). Right on the waterfront so it has good views. Wooden floors throughout with an uncluttered whilst attractive decor. All the tables are for drinkers and there is a covered patio area for diners at the back. Round the other side of the bar is an unobtrusive TV showing sports. Six real ales, four of which were Scottish brews plus two from the Mordue Brewery including the excellent Workie Ticket. An all round good pub and one that I'd recommend.
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I found the pub a bit funereal, but the cask lager was good, as well as being uncommon. Worth dropping in for a (very) quiet pint or if you just want to meditate in solemn quietude. Maybe it's busier in the evenings?
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This is a nice boozer in a lovely location with unparalleled views to the Forth. A good range of ales, and the locals are friendly. The wee nyaff that owns it though... watchout - small man syndrome!!!
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