The Best Real-Ale Pubs

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The TravelScotland Selection: Best Edinburgh Real-Ale Pubs

The Cumberland Bar

Location:Cumberland Street

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Opinion: The Cumberland Bar on the whole oozes respectability. A good range of whiskeys and beers on tap. Nicely appointed friendly staff. An unexpected glorious beer garden. Nice Attractive decor. A decent nosh with good pub lunches.Sought out even by the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale )supporters.7 days till 1am.

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The Bow Bar

Location:80 West Bow

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Opinion: A no-nonsense pub for real-ale enthusiasts. This no frills pub is found half way down Victoria street and is always dependable. The sad part is that they offer no cocktails but it is very unlikely that you'll remember cocktails after trying the wide varieties of ales and whiskies, the bar showcases. Till 11.30pm Mon-Sat, 11pm Sun.

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Cloisters

Location: 26 Brougham Street, Tollcross

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Opinion: You can sample a taste of as much as 9 wines by the glass, a list of over 70 whiskies and 9 real ales on tap at a time. Truly a one-stop shop for any tippler. The same management as that of the Bow Bar. A nice, clean and airy place with an ecclesiastical decor. A high class clientele and a good pub grub cornered till 8pm (neither on Mon or Fri). Till 12midnight (12.30am Fri-Sat)

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The Guildford Arms

Location: 1 West Register Street

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Opinion: A city center pub which rarely remains quiet. A hub for locals, all sorts of clubs, groups and tourists. The well-kept pub has decent staff and offers decent drink prices. Has loads of good ales and wines, some of which you won't get anywhere else. A reminder of the late Victorian hostelry. Sun-Wed till 11pm, Thu-Sat till 12midnight.

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Blue Blazer

Location: 2 Spittal Street

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Opinion: Pint that is dear enough! A wide variety of real ales with 8 real ales on tap regularly. 7 days till 1am. A CAMRA pub with no frills and pretensions. Comfortable bar with a mixed clientèle. Pretty small and can get packed quickly. Has a lot of regulars and is close to many of Edinburgh's clubs.7 days till 1am.

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Bert's

Location:29 William Street

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Opinion: Bert's is a fine class rugby bar. The clientele comprises of a more regular aficionado. Some of the best pies and pints in town. Caters to real beer drinkers. Good selection of class conditioned ales, malt whisky and wine. You can savor pub-grub lunch (till 9pm) in a repro-traditional decor. Till 11pm Sun-Thu, 12midnight Fri-Sat.

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The Canny Man

Location: 237 Morningside Road

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Opinion: The long list of do's and dont's might turn a casual visitor off, when at the door but won't, if he does try his hand at the good selection of malt whiskies and ales the pub offers. The Canny Man , officially known as the "Volunteer Arms", does allow you to sample a taste of some real good smorrebrod for lunch. Sun-Thu 11pm, Fri 1am, Sat 12am.

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Kay's Bar

Location:39 Jamaica Street

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Opinion: A long list of malt whiskies and cask conditioned ales. Homely food which gives you a warm welcome feel and a strikingly attractive coal-fire. The Kay's Bar has a host of loyal regulars coming in from all over the city. The service is nice and the ambiance is as good as the service. Till 12midnight (11pm Sun)

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Starbank Inn

Location: 64 Laverockbank Road, Newhaven

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Opinion: A traditional bar with a reputation for quality and luxury. The decor is a mixture of brewing and nautical motifs with an original tiled fireplace.Starbank Inn is located on the seafront road, to the west of Newhaven harbour. You can watch the pretty sunset while you sit with a pint in hand in the pub. Bar till 11pm Sun-Wed, 12midnight Thu-Sat.

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Cask&Barrel

Location: 115 Broughton Street

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Opinion: A place for dedicated beer drinkers with upto six regular cask ales and four guests. The pub features German Weissbier and Czech beers. Highly dynamic staff service. Mixed clientele with a cosmopolitan inclination.More of boozers who love football and a great pint. The pub also has a good selection of ales. Till 12.30am Sun-Wed, 1am Thu-Sat.

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Black Bull

Location:Grassmarket

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Opinion: You can taste some Deuchars, Caledonian 80/- and upto 5 guests once here. Black Bull does have a great pub atmosphere. More like a rock bar, the pub has a regular clientele flowing in. The pub has ales and big-screen sports. Daily till 1am.

If you feel we have missed a place off the Best Edinburgh Real-Ale Pubs then get in touch.

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