please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Currently closed due to coranavirus.
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The Great Heck Shankar IPA was in top nick when I called in yesterday. Only had half a pint as it is 5.9%. The Swannay Brewery Scapa Special wasn't so special, but this is a great pub and well worth seeking out.
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I really liked this pub. It has an excellent range of ales listed on a blackboard. The interior does have a religious feel, which creates a cold atmosphere. But the place was busy and the beer quality was good. Ales were Stewart Pentland IPA & Holy Grale, Highland Pale, Alechemy Bad Day At The Office, Siren Undercurrent, Tiny Rebel Cwtch, Oakham Robber, Mallinsons Citra & Pilot Moccachino Stout. I had the stout and it was my favourite beer from my 40 Scottish pubs - simply divine. Although I'm not too sure I could have drunk too much of it.
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Found because of the Camra Real Ale Pub Walks for Edinburgh. These books are wonderful.
I would have never have found this place otherwise.
Unfortunately, it was a flying visit as we had a table booked elsewhere in the City - as I would have loved to have stayed longer.
There was a choice of many previously unheard of beers. I went for one that was being poured for another punter and was a red beer. Not had one before. I think I need more before knowing whether I liked it.
It was in superb condition.
Will be back.... for no other reason than I need to finish the walk (Bennett's Bar, Doctors and Sandy Bells).
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Made a day trip to Edinburgh from Cheshire, 3 hour train journey, well worth it. Visited six pubs altogether, this being the fifth.
The layout and decor were conducive to a very relaxed atmosphere. Friendly staff (a characteristic of Edinburgh real ale pubs based on today's visit) and the manager made an appearance, we chatted about our day out and he was genuinely interested in our feedback about his place and other places we had called in.
Ale was good quality, had a great pint of Tyne Bank Green Hop.
Recommended.
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Great pub in the west of the city centre (a couple of hundred yards from Tollcross). Good range of beers to suit all tastes. Recommended if you like real ale.
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Been coming to Edinburgh for a few years but never made it here until this year - the evening was well on but I remember there being good selection of ales and whiskies plus a nice ambiance.
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This is a wonderful pub. Visited for the first time yesterday and had two beers from the Ayr Brewing Company, one a 6 % Raspberry Stout. They were excellent. Food looks good too. I found the staff friendly enough, and they brought out a bowl of water for a very cute King Charles Cavalier spaniel puppy, though she wasn't interested. Will most definitely be back.
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Friendly bar that seems to cater for students tourists and locals. Lots of good real ales that seems to be well kept. Very enjoyable nights spent there. Over my six month stay in the area.
Only problem. Like many pubs, one barman wishes to serve friends and locals with a "smile", new visitors with a "grump".
Did not stop me going however as the beers and the local was good.
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Great selection of beers, both from local producers and from craft breweries further afield. We had some absolute gems from Bristol Beer Factory on our visit. Cosy pub with lots of pale woods, well informed and friendly staff, beers well looked after. Mixed crowd of students and locals, people reading newspapers, very nice atmosphere, welcoming and homely. Great!
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Visited on a recent visit to Edinburgh. Good to see decent beer on offer; staff always friendly. Hope the t-shirts arrived safely ;) We'll be back later in the year...
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Great selection of beers in fine form - most from Scottish micro or mini breweries. They also have a range of these new "craft" beers which are not quite keg but not far from it. However most have more taste than any keg beer you will find and they are becoming popular with quite a few drinkers.
The pub is eclectic with a good mix of customers - mostly younger drinkers but it is lively and has a good atmosphere. Bar staff were quick and friendly so all-in-all a place to be recommended.
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Another great selection of real ales (9+). The food was very agreeable, too, had fish and chips and a cheeseburger, both fresh, tasty and large portion. Quirky building and cosy interior, the Balck Isle and Cairgorn ales were very tasty indeed.
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Friendly bar with welcome gas log-effect fire on a cold day. 9 real ales to choose from, the Dark Island was OK but not brilliant. Good interaction and banter between staff and customers. A few loud students, but at least they have already learned to appreciate a good bar and were drinking "proper" beer!
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Visited for the first time on a Monday night. Lovely pub, great beer and friendly, efficient, knowledgeable staff.
Super stuff!
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Why is this pub not in the top 40? It's rating is high, and I thought you had to have 25 ratings to qualify?
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I have to agree with the two previous reviews. An excellent pub in the centre of Edinburgh, however probably not the best... I'd say the canny mans, Kays Bar or the Sheip Heid slightly shave that accolade
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This is one of the best pubs in Edinburgh. Great selection of ales at good prices.
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One of the best bars in edinburgh , tucked away off tollcross .
Fantastic real ales that change regularly , little in the way of bottled beers though but they do have wheat and fruit beers .
Staff are absolutely fine , the only thing that lets the place down is the lack of seating .
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Modern pub in the Tolcross area of the city, with whitewashed walls and a mixture of traditional and sofa-style seating. It's basically one room that has various alcoves, so not too dull. A large gas fire burns in one corner by the sofas and creates a cosy feel. Interesting spiral staircase down to the toilets! Beer range is very good, with 6 handpumps dispensing microbrewed beers on my visit, from both nearby and further afield. Had a Acorn Lubelski from Barnsley , a hoppy IPA that goes down easier than its 5% strength would suggest- be warned! A variety of traditional board games such as Scrabble and Chess are avaialbe from the bar. I like it here, it's not much architecturally but a great beer range and atmosphere make it one to head to if you're in this area.
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Excellent pub with wide selection of real ales and friendly staff. 8/10
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Found this pub whilst trawling on the interweb prior to a Festival trip to Edinburgh and must recommend it for a leisurely afternoon of sampling real ales and tucking into some honest pub grub. The decor is clean and tidy, as are the toilets. The range of ten or so real ales are well kept and change regularly. The bar staff on this day were friendly and helpful. great.
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I visited again this August while doing GBG pubs, and it is one of the best in Edinburgh for superb choice and quality of the real ales being served. Enjoyed beers from Sulwath, Elland and Black Isle breweries from the 9 available.
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Late comment from August. My first visit to this lovely Good Beer Guide pub, and we enjoyed beers from Stewart and Taylor breweries.
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Friendly, quiet bar with good beer and a lovely barmaid. I'm not normally a fan of Landlord, but this was veryinkable. Beer is well kept and amnbience is fine. Probaly the better of the pubs in the Brougham St area.
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I was going to rate this based on the good beer, good service, laid back atmosphere. NowIcan add less Americans if the boycott works - bonus! Only joking :)
Seriously this is a goodplace, I speak to more strangers in this bar than any other, it's just friendlier.
Great selection of ale, always something new to try. Only down sideis it's popularity, never get a seat!
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I have just recently read the comment posted almost a year ago regarding poor treatment of a group of Americans. I am an American and have been going to Cloisters at least weekly since August of 2007, and I have visited the pub when here on holiday. Let me say emphatically that at no time have I ever had a problem with staff at the Cloisters on any account. It is hard for me to believe that any of their staff would have behaved as described in the post from January. The Cloisters staff are always friendly, eager to serve and to inform if their advice is needed. They know their beers, wines and whiskeys very well. If you are not certain about a choosing one of the fine range of cask ales, they are happy to give you a taste. The atmosphere is always warming, and there is always a good mix of people making up the clientele. If I lived closer, Cloisters would be my local.
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Yikes, bit concerned by the long comment below, but I think it's best ignored. I'm English but I live and work in Edinburgh and I've heard all sorts of voices from posh southerners like me to Antipodeans, French, Germans and even Americans in Cloisters (and other pubs here) and they all seemed to be having a marvellous time. So they should - the beer's great and ever-changing, the staff seem nice (offering beer to taste or uncomplainingly cleaning up a smashed pint of porter amongst the feet of noisy Friday-night office types) and the menu is cheapish and appetising. Go there and see for yourself.
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Regarding the review left by the last person.
I spoke to the manager of Cloisters about this incident and the facts relating to the incident that the reviewer has written about are innacurate. I have no reason to doubt the word of the manager as he is honest and 100% professional in the running of this excellent, comfortable and friendly establishment.
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A truly great pub, in my opinion one of the best in Edinburgh. The staff are very friendly and have a great deal of knowledge on both ale and whisky. The beer is well kept and if on the off chance you get a bad one they are all too happy to replace it or ive you a different ale for free. The only downside to this pub is the space issue as on Fridays and Saturdays it can be too crowded.
All in all, a great pub.
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The bar staff are knowledgable, friendly and relaxed. The clientel are locals and the nicer end of the stude spectrum, and the atmosphere is perfect for convivial drinking among friends.
And the beer... The reviews say it has nine real ales. That's incorrect. It has many more - but only has nine on at a time. Over the evening, when a beer goes off it's replaced with a different brew: this means you'll get more choice than you can cope with, and if you find something really tasty you may be out of luck just as you're getting into it. On a busy night, all nine can be refreshed. Keep an eye on the big board at the end of the bar where the current status is displayed by laser computer display system (oh, OK, chalk).
It's like a permanent beer festival.
The only serious downside is the relative lack of seating: you can usually squeeze in somewhere, but many evenings you'll have to prop up the bar for a bit.
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Favourite pub in Edinburgh. 9 real ales.
Would give this a 10 if it had music.
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I agree with all of the comments below. Good bar staff, relaxed atmosphere (possibly due to the lack of music) and fine ales.
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Fantastic - one of the best of Edinburgh's many great pubs (and GBG entries)- more real ales than many pubs but the volume seems to justify this
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I no longer live in Edinburgh, but i still dream about the Cloisters. 4 fantastic regular ales, 5 guests, a malt of the month, all at good prices. The best pub in the world?, but shhh, don't tell anyone, I want it for myself!
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8 handpumps with a good selection of English ales. Tasted beers from Wychwood and Oakleaf Sept. 05.
Black-board with beers on and beers to come.
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Convertion of former parsonage offers lively atmosphere and good choice of real ales
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Freindly, traditional "real ale" pub with no music. 9 ale taps of which 5 are guests. fantastic mix of customers from students to the typical "bike and beard" real ale drinker. great!
Steve ward - 4 Jun 2004 01:08 |
