It was decided that it would be unfair for me to review my own band, and so we delegated the task to someone who could write in sentences, could hold their drink and as such would remember the performance, and could be relied upon to get it done briefly. Sadly, he was busy, and so was the next guy we asked, so it fell upon Adam Johns to become our first guest writer. Here’s what Adam had to say:
Hello fellow challengers! After persistent dedication to the cause, The Management have allowed me to write my own independent review of the most recent leg of the challenge. I would like at this point to use my newfound responsibilities to clear my name – admittedly I may not have the best of stamina where consumption of alcohol is concerned, but I do not vomit after two pints as has previously been suggested! Now back to the review – on the night of the 16th I was invited a pop concert in the renowned Henry’s Cellar Bar (Morrison St, 1/2/34/35). The event itself was a warm up gig for The Wynd as they were opening for The Bluetones the following night. The venue is well known within Edinburgh as a crèche for up and coming bands: decent sized stage, good-ish PA system and plenty of space to get your funk on, as I did. Accompanying me to spectate and indulge were recognised challengers Philip Brough and Mike Maguire, and as much as it was good to see my West Country chum, the sight of Maguire’s purple shirt did make me slightly nauseous - especially when he had worn it the previous Saturday night. What can I say? the boy obviously likes feminine colours. The drinks may have been on the expensive side but there was a well stocked variety of beers in the fridge but in a venue which shares its toilets with a Chinese restaurant the service always came with a smile that said “I’ll do you a good beer but a chicken chow mein is not on offer tonight.”
Note to perspective clientele of Henry’s Cellar Bar though: do not order double vodka red bull - it may cause you to increase your student overdraft. All in all the atmosphere, drinks and entertainment culminated in a very good night and I would recommend the venue to any music enthusiast wanting to sample some of Edinburgh’s finest musical talent.
The night continued upstairs in the Festival Tavern where… (that’s enough Adam, thank you – ed.)
There’s a great little passage in Ian Rankin’s Fleshmarket Close in which Rebus is in the Oxford Bar supping a pint of Deuchars (no change there then).
“As happened on a good night in the Ox, conversations ebbed and flowed, people joining in two discussions at once, bringing them together only for them to splinter again after a few minutes. There were bad jokes and worse puns[.]”
This describes fairly accurate the scenes in The Festival Tavern (Morrison St, 1/2/34/35), located directly above Henry’s. We had a huge crowd with us and stayed there all night long (£2.20 a pint of Best = bonus), I honestly couldn’t tell you any stories for the reasons mentioned above and also because I don’t want to mention the fact that I nearly walked into a cleaning cupboard, having mistaken it for a toilet - but it was a good time. The rest of the band (except Chris, who’d gone home to “rest his throat” for the next night) hung around, Paddy eventually needing to be put to bed by his flatmate; Nick was spouting pish to all who were prepared to listen (and a number of others who weren’t); and Adam left early, dragging Hollie with him.
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT:
Chris McCall (introducing “The Boy Who Had to Deny His Pride”): “This is a song about married women”
Adam Johns: “Where’s Nick when you need him?”
Until the next time…
CUMULATIVE PUB COUNT: 58
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