Edinburgh City Guide

If drinking Tennents and Jager bombs whilst listening to the top forty at top volume and drowning in your own sweat is not your thing, Edinburgh is littered with drinking establishments that offer a different kind of experience. What follows is a potentially fatal pub crawl with many a malt of the month, a lot of delicious beer and much, much more.

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Edinburgh rarely sees a quiet week it seems. After the buzz of the Fringe Festival comes the manic panic of Fresher's week 2010. Back in the good old days when I was a Fresher in 2008, I was clueless, friendless and frightened and this is the way a Fresher should be, it is the best way to fully absorb all Edinburgh has to offer; even after two years studying at Edinburgh University I am still experiencing new pubs, shops and events.

University Unions

Teviot: As a new student of Edinburgh University, you have three different unions to discover; Teviot, Potterow and Pleasance. Teviot is probably the most popular place for basic drinking and dining due to the three floors of bars (the Library Bar being the best) with student prices and quality food and snacks. It is also the oldest purpose built student union in the world and the decor attempts to reflect this. Teviot is a great place for grabbing lunch in between lectures or having a coffee with friends.

Potterow: Many students begin their night in Teviot and move onto Potterow, which resides just across the square and is home to the famous Big Cheese. This event is a must for all students. Every Sunday, the Potterow Dome becomes packed with lovers of cheesy music, ABBA to GaGa, the Baywatch theme to Glee’s version of Don’t Stop Believing. Despite my personal preference for rock music, Potterow on a Sunday is a good laugh and you will walk away with many memories, good or bad.

Pleasance: Less of a drinking union and more of a society union, Pleasance is beside the university’s gym on St Leonard’s Road and has many function rooms that are used by societies. Join a society and you will most likely end up in Pleasance at some point this year. With small bar and cheap snacks, it’s a nice place to go if you are bored of Teviot and can’t face the prices of the surrounding pubs.

Pubs

Speaking of pubs, there is no shortage of these in Edinburgh. I recommend simply taking a walk down your street and creating your own makeshift pub-crawl, it is the best way to learn which pubs are best for prices, atmosphere, entertainment etc. There are simply too many for me to list so for those who want a head start, these are some recommendations.

The Crags: The Crags is the local for those who live in Pollock Halls. Cheap drink and decent food, it’s very popular for first years and is often very busy.

Auld Hoose: For those who love rock, metal and alternative music, the jukebox offers a wonderful selection of albums to choose from and was one of my favorites when I lived in the Newington area. Not the cheapest for prices but staff are always friendly and if you go there for food, the portions are massive, no exaggeration, I defy you to finish a plate of nachos. Best part: 10% student discount.

Brass Monkey: Near Pleasance, on Drummond Street is Brass Monkey, it’s fairly small pub that attracts punters with its room that is one massive bed. Great for a lazy night out and a good location for wandering to the next drinking establishment.

Mr Modos: Another personal favourite, this time on Lothian Road, they specialize in some great cocktails though they are not the cheapest so it’s only to be indulged on occasion. Chatty staff make you feel welcome and don’t skimp on the measures!

Grassmarket: I feel that I should just recommend the whole of Grassmarket rather than specifying particular pubs. Begin at one end and finish at the other, a street of pubs which during the day serve great food, all Freshers must experience the famous street underneath the castle.

Rose Street: Similar to the Grassmarket, Rose St is home to a wide selection of pubs that serve food till late, it will take a while to get bored of the choices on this street. It is also between Princes St and George St so
nicely central amongst shops and many bus stops.

Clubs

For many, going to the pub is only the beginning of their night out so here are the clubs that must be experienced at some point.

Why Not?: Based on George St,  Why Not is very popular with first years for its cheap entry and very cheap drinks, it has both a good and bad reputation, it largely depends on what you are going there for. Cheap drinks? Excellent. Good music? Questionable. Occasional seedy environment? Unfortunately.

City: Again, popular with students due to the “Broke” nights, so there’s cheap entry and drinks.

The Hive: I love The Hive, on Niddry St off the Cowgate for its themed nights, free entry (except Fri & Sat) and very cheap drinks. (£1 a drink on some nights.) Misfits on Friday offer popular rock anthems and Bubblegum on Saturday presents cheesy pop, even Disney songs. More of an alternative club.

Opium: On the Cowgate near The Hive is Opium, regularly referred to as a dive (which is somewhat true due to its unpleasant aromas) but drinks are amazingly cheap, entry free and this is for the true metal heads who want to headbang all night.

Also worth check out are Liquid Rooms, Opel and Mansion.

Shopping and Entertainment

Many who live in Edinburgh escape to Glasgow for their shopping but Edinburgh does have enough options to stop you retreating to Weegieland! (Slander – Ed) Princes St is the number one place for your shopping needs with its HMV, Topshop, Thorntons, River Island, All Saints, M&S, Starbucks, Waterstones, MacDonalds and the newly open Urban Outfitters.

The St James centre in the East end has a massive John Lewis and many little shops. Edinburgh has a great selection of retro shops and vintage outlets along the Grassmarket and Thistle Street.

For groceries there are Tescos all over the place and Sainsburys, as well as a cheap Lidl on Nicholson St, it is entirely up to yourself how to choose your supermarket! (I highly recommend the 24 hour ASDA, though it is out in the Chesser area, so this will be a bus journey for many new students.)

As for entertainment Edinburgh has a wide choice of cinemas and you can choose from Vue in the Omnicentre and Ocean Terminal, Odeon on Lothian Road, Cineworld in Fountainpark and the lovely old school Cameo in Tollcross. You will probably be aware of the famous Playhouse, the new Picture House and Festival Theatre which all hold productions throughout the year, keep your eye open for your favorite band or musical coming to these venues.

Travel

While the best way to get around Edinburgh is walking, sometimes you will need some motorized assistance. Taxis are your standard fare but sometimes are essential for the heavier drinking nights. Lothian Buses run an excellent service at £1.20 for a single journey, £3 for a day ticket and unlimited journeys. Check their website for the routes, they can be a bit confusing at first. (There are many buses out to the airport for those who travel internationally.) Many of you will have arrived by train, so will have seen Waverley already which has regular trains destined for all over the country.

Sight-seeing

There are several wonders that should be explored in your new city these being the castle, Arthur’s Seat, the Scott Monument, Calton Hill, The Meadows and the list continues.

The castle is expensive but a good trip if your family visit and Arthur’s Seat is a hefty walk to get your heart pumping and from there the entire city can be seen, it is a breath taking sight. The Scott Monument on Princes St is a similar climb with 287 steps and not for those who can’t handle heights. Calton Hill is the perfect place for viewing events at which there are fireworks and also has a wonderful view. Finally, you will become very familiar with the Meadows over your stay. It is the place for summer BBQs and sunny socializing. (When the weather is being kind.)

This should be enough to get you started and hopefully find the corners of Edinburgh that you will love. Congratulations on being in one of the best cities in the world and while you’re having all your fun, don’t forget to study!

Laura Jones