Just to appease those of you who have been thinking “why the hell haven’t they updated that blog for almost a fortnight?”, those of you who have been thinking “I wonder if they’ve given up yet?”, and most particularly those of you who have been thinking “I couldn’t give a flying pig”, here is our latest collection of ramshackle drinking tales.
Let us first rewind to September 5th, a date which people instantly associate with the IRA bombing of the London Hilton, the UK’s first trunk call from a payphone and our the commencement of our latest trip to Germany. However, regardless of the date, people are never going to be likely to remember a visit to the Turnhouse Bar (35, 100) located inside Edinburgh Airport. Even by Wetherspoons’ standards, this is excruciatingly mundane. The pints of Heineken and Deuchars IPA were, however, necessary pre-flight refreshments.
Despite the quality (and, indeed, quantity) of beer consumed in Germany, this is neither the time nor the place to recount such tales (those of you fortunate enough to be joining us on this escapade may be the lucky recipients thereof). On returning from Germany we felt it was necessary to, erm, have a beer. And so we headed to the Caledonian Ale House (Haymarket, 12, 26, 31, X48, 100), one of the Great Edinburgh Pub Challengers’ favourite and most regular drinking holes. However, given that this was simply an opportune moment to consume a quick pint of Best, a full analysis of its qualities shall be posted at a later date.
On Wednesday 12th September, Scotland played France as the Parc des Princes in Paris. I’m sure you’re all well aware of the glorious victory we achieved, but for those of you who would appear to have been resting under a particularly large rock, we gave the French a right good kicking. This game was taken in in Robbies’ bar (Leith Walk, 7,10,12,13,14,16,22,25,49) , with the usual suspects being joined by Alistairs Brown and Wallace, Greig Bingham and Ian Davidson. Adam “I think I might give up drinking” Johns stayed at home and had a wank instead. Even at this early stage in the Challenge, I’d have to say that Robbies’ is one of my favourite boozer, a statement perhaps aided by its close proximity to my flat. It offers a great range of lagers, ales, whiskies, and is spacious enough to be able to offer a good view of the game whilst being small and busy enough to give rise to an electrifying atmosphere.
The following night, and with the mists of the celebratory hangover finally beginning to clear, myself and Nick were joined by Shetland’s 4th most famous export, Ewen Leask, at the Roseburn Bar (Roseburn Terrace, 12, 26, 31, X48, 100) for a swift half or 3. The Roseburn is another grand boozer, classic old décor and the location for a swift anaesthetic before any visits to T***c****e should our respective football teams be in the vicinity.
Until the next time...
QUOTE OF THE LAST FORTNIGHT: “don't take a picture of your knob for takin' the pish, picture of your pish” – Nick Chadha. Ask for details…
Friday, 14 September 2007
Sunday, 2 September 2007
In the Beginning
And we’re off! On Saturday 1st September 2007 at 7.58pm (approximately), myself and Nick embarked on our stupidest mission yet, accompanied by my trusty flatmate Adam “4 pints” Johns. The glamourous location of this momentous occasion was Clermiston Turning Circle – we thought if we were going to do this, we might as well do it in style.
We were so excited by the prospect of spending up to the next 8 years falling in and out of bars that we only managed to take the number 1 (pictured above) round the corner to Drum Brae, where liquid refreshment was sought.
The Rainbow, Drum Brae South (1, 21, 26, 32)
I suppose this was the start proper, as this thing isn’t about sitting about on buses all day but more finding different pubs in strange parts of town. Sadly The Rainbow doesn’t really qualify as “different” - in fact it’s a pretty generic bar. Nice enough though, and the Guinness was good so that was all that mattered. We necked our pints (pictured below) and headed out to catch a number 26 to St John’s Road.
The Oak Inn, St. John’s Road (12, 26, 31, X48, 100)
Again, this place was nothing special, and they wouldn’t let us take our pints outside to the tables for some reason – are people in Corstorphine always this humourless? There was some form of karaoke going on, with middle aged punters massacring various songs which wouldn’t be out of place at a Rangers match. Didn’t hear The Sash though, interestingly.
Thomson’s Bar, Morrison Street (2)
We hopped on a number 12 into town and headed up to Morrison Street. Thomson’s is a lovely little boozer, nice ales, great range of malts - and I’m told that they do very nice pies. We were joined here by my old school friend Alistair Brown, the renowned part-time Frenchman, occasional NME hack and general connoisseur of all things drinkable.
The Ossian, Morrison Street (2)
After necking a quick Deuchars (or, in Adam’s case, Liefmans), we made our way all across the road to the Ossian, a pub which had a fantastic range of beers on tap but funnily enough not its namesake. Draft Budvar and Red Stripe were definite plus points, as was the fact that they seemed to be playing all of the Rolling Stones’ classic singles on shuffle. A nice touch, even if it meant we had to put up with Nick’s attempts at singing.
We felt that, seeing as it was the last night of 5am licensing, and we hadn’t been for bloody ages, it would be a good idea to head along to Citrus for some indie action. Sadly the place shut at 3.15 (don’t worry, this was duly met with a chorus of boos and offensive comments) so none of us lasted till 5. Especially not Adam, who somehow disappeared to be sick around 11.15 and never returned. We got there at 10.55. Hopefully next time he’ll finish his 5th pint before heading home. Still, at 4 pubs down it’s a good start. Until the next time…
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT:
“I’m not drunk, it was the crepe” – Adam “Lightweight” Johns
Cumulative pub count: 4
We were so excited by the prospect of spending up to the next 8 years falling in and out of bars that we only managed to take the number 1 (pictured above) round the corner to Drum Brae, where liquid refreshment was sought.
The Rainbow, Drum Brae South (1, 21, 26, 32)
I suppose this was the start proper, as this thing isn’t about sitting about on buses all day but more finding different pubs in strange parts of town. Sadly The Rainbow doesn’t really qualify as “different” - in fact it’s a pretty generic bar. Nice enough though, and the Guinness was good so that was all that mattered. We necked our pints (pictured below) and headed out to catch a number 26 to St John’s Road.
The Oak Inn, St. John’s Road (12, 26, 31, X48, 100)
Again, this place was nothing special, and they wouldn’t let us take our pints outside to the tables for some reason – are people in Corstorphine always this humourless? There was some form of karaoke going on, with middle aged punters massacring various songs which wouldn’t be out of place at a Rangers match. Didn’t hear The Sash though, interestingly.
Thomson’s Bar, Morrison Street (2)
We hopped on a number 12 into town and headed up to Morrison Street. Thomson’s is a lovely little boozer, nice ales, great range of malts - and I’m told that they do very nice pies. We were joined here by my old school friend Alistair Brown, the renowned part-time Frenchman, occasional NME hack and general connoisseur of all things drinkable.
The Ossian, Morrison Street (2)
After necking a quick Deuchars (or, in Adam’s case, Liefmans), we made our way all across the road to the Ossian, a pub which had a fantastic range of beers on tap but funnily enough not its namesake. Draft Budvar and Red Stripe were definite plus points, as was the fact that they seemed to be playing all of the Rolling Stones’ classic singles on shuffle. A nice touch, even if it meant we had to put up with Nick’s attempts at singing.
We felt that, seeing as it was the last night of 5am licensing, and we hadn’t been for bloody ages, it would be a good idea to head along to Citrus for some indie action. Sadly the place shut at 3.15 (don’t worry, this was duly met with a chorus of boos and offensive comments) so none of us lasted till 5. Especially not Adam, who somehow disappeared to be sick around 11.15 and never returned. We got there at 10.55. Hopefully next time he’ll finish his 5th pint before heading home. Still, at 4 pubs down it’s a good start. Until the next time…
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT:
“I’m not drunk, it was the crepe” – Adam “Lightweight” Johns
Cumulative pub count: 4
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