Jinglin' Geordie, Edinburgh

An odd shaped place a door or two up the stairs from the famous and better if smaller, Halfway House. Modernised inside but not to my taste, anaglypta painted grey, comfy benches upholstered in distressed velveteen and a couple of screens added. Some old stained glass windows remain and the pictures, photos and drawings are interesting, including the crumpet free George Best photos. I didn’t notice BF’s “old man pong” but being one myself that’s not unusual, the clientele was perhaps more mature but not exclusively. Three pulls at the far right of the counter, Alchemy (very good), a Deuchars IPA and Cromarty Red Rocker.

If coming out of the Market Street entrance to Waverley station ,almost opposite are the steep steps and passage way that is Fleshmarket Close with first the Halfway House and then almost immediately Jingli' Geordie.It's quite an ordinary bar once inside with a bar ahead and then to the right a wider seating area with banquettes and some stained glass windows with saltaires.There was a faint pong of old man ,and many of the regulars use the bar stools.Friendly enough welcome from the barman. It's good value and not crammed with tourists and reminds me of some slightly worn Glasgow bars.The large building behind used to be The Scotsman ,so hacks would use this pub as their watering hole as did George Best when he played for Hibs.There is photographic evidence of this on the wall near the bar with George looking well oiled and sadly no Miss Worlds in tow. Just two real ales on my trip Stewarts Kilted Kiwi (NBSS 3) and Harviestoun Broken Dial (NBSS 3.5).This boozer has flatscreen thankfully on mute on my trip and gentle muzak.Although I prefer the Halfway House ,it might seem rude not to pop in here too on your ascent to the Royal Mile.

This is one of two pubs picturesquely situated on the steep, narrow, pedestrian only Fleshmarket Close and actually sits on top of the other one, "The Halfway House." It consists of a smallish, one room L-shaped bar with two TV screens and low level music playing. There were three real ales on hand pump - Robert Burns Brown Ale ( at £3.45 a pint), Deuchars IPA and Fyne Ales Jarl. Guinness, Belhaven Best, Greene King East Coast IPA and Tennent's, Carling, Peroni and Heineken lagers are also available, as is Strongbow cider. The varied decor includes stag's antlers, stained glass windows and a grandfather clock. There is also a photograph of a slightly inebriated looking George Best drinking here with his Hibernian team mates during his time playing for the Edinburgh club.