Clarks Bar, Edinburgh

Unspoiled but renovated interior to this classic Victorian bar, there are a couple of screens and piped music but otherwise it’s stepping back decades. Nice plain panelled counter to the right, the two pulls are a bit hidden round the front corner, three T-bars dominate the show with a mixed bunch of kegs, the only cask was from a local brewery called Winton, nothing to do with Hampshire by the way, the other had a reversed clip. A host of original fittings here, coving, panelling and a splendid bar back, mostly button back leather banquettes and wooden furniture. I realised I was sitting in a seat shown in an old photo on the opposite wall which was a bit disturbing. Basement toilets.

Another of my regular haunts when I worked just across the road on Fettes Row, in fact I had my leaving do here way back in 1997. Pleased to report that little has changed in the intervening years. One main room with a couple of smaller rooms to the rear, all nicely decorated. Always a friendly welcome in here and the same was true on this occasion despite me not having visited for something like 15 years. 3 beers available on the handpumps. My pint was in excellent nick. I'm very pleased to find it pretty much as it was.