Cooper’s (Easter Road, 1/35) was the first pub of 2009 for the Great Edinburgh Pub Challenge, and much like The Grey Horse which took the same role a year earlier, it’s a bit of a dive. Decidedly Spartan inside, Cooper’s boasts both a saloon and a lounge bar, but unfortunately the lounge never seems to be open. Our presence didn’t seem to disrupt the musings of the four regulars who were present so it’s obviously welcoming enough, but definitely not somewhere you’d go out of your way to visit. Having claimed to be on a hiatus from consumption of Belhaven Best, Nick was rather gutted to find that all other taps were off for line cleaning. It goes without saying that I had a big chuckle at his expense.
It was my turn to be disappointed at the lack of beer availability in the next pub, Persevere (Easter Road, 1/35) where a point of sale kit for Pilsner Urquell was being erected. Alas the said Pilsner had not yet been delivered, but this did not stop the bar staff from creasing themselves at the tasting notes in the promotion materials; most notably there was some confusion as to what a “caramelized sweet brownness” in the aftertaste actually meant. Come to think of it, there’s still some confusion now - answers on a postcard please.
Next stop for the evening was The Golf (Duke Street, 1/12/21/25/34/35/49), where it was karaoke night. I’ve stumbled across many a karaoke night in the past (but yet somehow I’ve never taken part in one), and never fail to be amazed by some of the dross which people seem to think will make good entertainment. However, the first performance in the Golf was nothing short of fantastic, definitely an inspired choice by the gentleman with the microphone. Ladies and Gentlemen, The Great Edinburgh Pub Challenge presents you Benny Hill:
We decided to watch the commotion (and, as the night progressed, shelter our ears) from the back of the pub where there was little more hubbub than a game of darts taking place in front of us.
The Duke’s Head (Duke Street, 1/12/21/25/34/35/49), is not for the faint hearted. The interior isn’t visible when you walk past the window, and the regulars seemed more intent on hurling expletive-laden abuse at each other than consuming any alcohol. There was an old bird who looked a bit like a pro too.
The Marksman (Duke Street, 1/12/21/35/34/35/49) wasn’t much of an improvement – there seemed to be some sort of over-55s disco going on and you could barely hear yourself think. This dive has obviously been around for quite a while but has a decidedly spritely,modern interior – a classic case of vinegar dressed as fine red wine, to mix an alcoholic metaphor (badly). Notable features included a beer fridge stocked with Carlsberg Special Brew by the can. ‘Nuff said.
Until the next time....
CUMULATIVE PUB COUNT: 126
