Bennets Bar

An old-time, good quality throwback to the days when Scottish pubs used to feature a ‘family department’, Bennet’s Bar in Tollcross has an intact ‘jug bar’ - an area women and children could slip into through a separate door and stay unseen by the menfolk, obviously in no mood for distraction from the serious business of drinking.

Bennet’s jug bar is particularly beautiful with ornate stained glass and a dainty serving hatch. Elsewhere there are more eye-catching Victorian features - curved dark wood shelves and large mirrored panels have been tastefully merged with modern touches like rounded red leather banquettes and Ordnance Survey maps of Edinburgh and Scotland under glass-topped round tables.

It’s earned a good reputation for its selection of craft beers and real ales, and also stocks a large range of single malt whiskies. The King’s Theatre next door means it fills up fast at pre-theatre and curtain-down times, and its big screen TV showing rugby matches in the corner means it draws a big crowd of sport fans on certain weekends too. Food is available too, including local pies, hearty stovies and sandwiches, as well as a children’s menu, vegetarian and gluten-free options.