Edinburgh: a selection of addressesEdinburgh, the capital of Scottish rugby, offers a vast choice of establishments, from traditional pubs to the finest restaurants, not to mention souvenir shops with a Scots accent... Rugby Bars near the Stadium The Murrayfield Hotel 18 Corstorphine Road EH12 6HN Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 337 1844 Ask any Edinburgh rugby fan where they'd prefer to watch the match, and this lovely hotel comes top of the list. The big modern bar has two large screens to follow the action, and it's particularly known for its good food, served daily until 9pm. The hotel is conveniently located opposite the road leading in to the stadium. The Roseburn 1 Roseburn Terrace EH12 5NG Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 337 1067 Known for pulling a perfect pint, this friendly corner pub is a short walk from Murrayfield Stadium. The pleasant, wood-panelled bar is packed with rugby fans on match days, with their eyes on the six screens. A small lounge bar off the main bar is decorated with photographs of the teams and autographs and jerseys from famous players. No food is served, but there are fast-food options nearby. The Murrayfield Bar 57-59 Roseburn Terrace EH12 5NQ Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 337 1574 www.murrayfieldbar.com Another popular spot for sports fans, this bar is located along the main road on the way to the stadium. There are two big screens and seven TV screens to watch the action. The wood-panelled bar is nicer and more modern than it might appear from the outside, and it serves inexpensive steaks and staples like fish and chips until 10pm. Rugby Bars, Pubs and Restaurants in the City Centre George Street George Street in the New Town is a hot spot for Edinburgh rugby fans to meet before and after the game. The bars here are more upmarket than those around the stadium, and there is a wider choice of good restaurants. More good rugby pubs can be found in the surrounding streets. Many fans walk from here to the stadium, which is only a mile and a half away and can easily be reached in under an hour. Grassmarket The historic area below Edinburgh Castle is one of the liveliest parts of the city. Once notorious for demonstrations and public hangings, the only riotous behaviour these days is in the many pubs and bars, some with live music. There are many more along the adjoining street, Cowgate, one of the city's oldest streets. You can find many interesting small shops along Grassmarket and the picturesque Victoria Street, which runs off it up to the Royal Mile. The Cambridge Bar 20 Young Street EH2 4JB Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 226 2120 www.thecambridgebar.co.uk This stylish bar is located just off Charlotte Square in a trendy area of the New Town. It's also one of the city's most popular sports bars, thanks to its projector and big screen, with several more television screens as well. Live rugby is a regular fixture. Different seating areas are set around a lively bar, and there is a long list of gourmet burgers to keep hunger at bay. Sportsters Bar Scotsman Buildings, 1a Market Street EH1 1DE Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 226 9560 www.clg.co.uk/sportsters/home.asp In this large, flashy venue there is always a match or sports news playing, either on the big screens or the LCD screens built into the tables, along with free internet access and PlayStations, too. It's located opposite Waverly Station, along the street from the City Art Centre. The beer is pricy but the diner-style food is good and comes in sportsman-size portions. Walkabout Omni Centre, Greenside Place EH1 3AA Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 524 9033 The Edinburgh branch of this popular Australian theme-bar chain ought to be a good place to mix with the fans from Down Under when Scotland plays New Zealand on September 23. It is located in the sleek new Omni Centre, near the east end of Princes Street. The large main bar is full of TV screens, and there's a smaller, quieter section for conversation. The Three Sisters 139 Cowgate EH1 1JS Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 622 6801 www.festival-inns.co.uk One of the largest and liveliest pubs in the student quarter of Edinburgh's Old Town near the Grassmarket, the Three Sisters' big TV screens make it popular with sports fans, too. There are three themed bars, an upstairs disco and a large courtyard with additional seating. The atmosphere is young and brash, and it's always packed, as it's a favourite for stag nights and parties. Mathers Bar 25 Broughton Street EH1 3JU Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 556 6754 Set at the east end of the city centre a short walk from Princes Street, this traditional bar is a popular spot with area residents for watching rugby and football matches. It has a great selection of real ales and is a malt whisky specialist too, with more than 100 whiskies to choose from. Inexpensive bar meals are served all day. Cask and Barrel 115 Broughton Street EH1 3RZ Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 556 3132 This traditional corner pub with dark wood decor and a horseshoe bar is popular with sports fans. Those who are not on the way to a match can watch the action on the big screen TV and enjoy the good selection of real ales and guest ales on offer. Basic pub food is served. Restaurants The Dome 14 George Street EH2 2PF Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 624 8624 www.thedomeedinburgh.com Set in a former hospital in the heart of the New Town, the large bar, brasserie and grill room spreads out beneath a splendid glass dome, which once provided natural light for the operating theatre. The food is as magnificent as the setting, with Scottish beef, smoked salmon, duck and seafood on the menu. There's also a pretty garden cafe at the back. The Lot 4 Grassmarket EH1 2JU Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 225 9924 www.the-lot.co.uk Located in a former church, this light and airy restaurant has a superb location at the west end of Grassmarket with Edinburgh Castle towering overhead. A few tables spill out onto the pavement, where you can watch people photographing the view. The food is delicious, service is friendly and the atmosphere is very relaxed. Paintings by local artists decorate the walls, and all profits go to charity. Le Monde 16 George Street EH2 2PF Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 270 3900 www.lemondehotel.co.uk Part of a luxury boutique hotel, Le Monde is a fun, ultra-stylish restaurant, bar and nightclub. Food and drink are served in three high-design bars - Vienna, Milan and the ultimate, Paris, styled like a decadent salon. Scottish and international dishes are simple, expertly cooked and well-priced, from casual lunch fare to celebration dinners. The Shanghai Club in the basement takes off after 10pm. Whighams Wine Cellars 13 Hope Street EH3 9JR Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 225 8674 www.whighams.com At the west end of Princes Street near Charlotte Square, this popular wine bar and restaurant is set in Georgian wine cellars. Atmospheric vaults with cosy tables line one end, opposite a large open bar and dining area buzzing with the after-work crowd. The excellent menu changes daily, featuring seafood and Scottish produce. And of course, a superb wine list, with many wines by the glass. The Witchery by the Castle Castlehill, Royal Mile EH1 2NF Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 225 5613 www.thewitchery.com Rugby players are among the many celebrities who have eaten here at Edinburgh's most famous restaurant. Set in a 16th-century merchant's house at the top of the Royal Mile, the atmosphere is matched only by the marvellous food, which includes seasonal Scottish game, lobster, seafood and Angus beef. This is the place to celebrate, but anticipate your team's victory and book ahead. Shops Scottish Rugby Store Roseburn Street Murrayfield Stadium EH12 5PJ Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 346 5044 http://scottish-rugby.greavessports.com All the official Rugby World Cup merchandise and souvenirs will be available in the Scottish Rugby Store in Murrayfield Stadium, along with the usual Scottish Rugby shirts, rugby balls and mementoes. It is run by the specialist sports retailers, Greaves Sports. Some merchandise is also available online at www.scottishrugbydirect.com. First XV Rugby Store 6-8 Haymarket Terrace EH12 5JZ Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 337 4746 www.rugbystuff.com The name of the website says it all. This specialist rugby shop is located in the Haymarket area of the city, on the way to Murrayfield Stadium, and the rugby stuff you'll find here includes balls, boots, shirts, hoodies and accessories. It's always busy on match days, with fans stocking up on gear from both Scotland and rival teams. All the staff have a rugby background. Royal Mile Whiskies 379 High Street EH1 1PW Edinburgh Tel. : 0131 225 3383 www.royalmilewhiskies.com Scottish single malt whiskies are famous the world over, but at this specialist shop on the Royal Mile you can choose from hundreds of labels from small distilleries that are hard to find outside of Scotland. The staff participate in regular blind tastings and enjoy passing on their best tips and favourite finds to customers. No wonder they are so frequently voted Whisky Retailer of the Year. |
Tourism and Gastronomy
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