The Kenilworth, Edinburgh

One of many pubs on the popular Rose Street strip, this one is a Nicholson’s outlet, although probably somewhat smaller than many of their establishments. The main room at the front of the pub is dominated by a large central bar counter taking up much of the available floor space, with the drinking area being arranged all around it. It’s quite elegant in some ways, with a very high ceiling including elaborate cornices, brass chandeliers and a mustard and aqua blue colour paintwork. To the left of the bar counter were some open sided booths being separated with wooden partitions containing etched glass. Elsewhere, the seating was brown Chesterfield bench seating around much of the permitter, along with small tables and chairs at the front and a ledge for vertical drinking to the left. Four small stained-glass windows were high up in each corner. The floor was sanded wooden boards, whilst the walls were almost entirely covered in old green and while tiling. An inset glass display case to the left housed a collection of old books and quills. A couple of TV’s were mounted high up on the wall, but these had the sound muted so this was not too intrusive. Instead, a radio station was playing a decent mix of hits, although the volume level was perhaps a tad loud, especially when they were talking rather than playing music. There were also a few branded brewery mirrors dotted around, including Ind Coope and Tennent’s. A separate snug down a few stairs at the rear was a cosy spot with much wood panelling on the walls, a built-in cupboard with etched glass, and a few old black and white pictures. The menu offered an extensive selection of dishes including a number of pies and burgers, and my fish pie was decent enough with some generous chunks of fish and a very cheesy mash topping, although the accompanying vegetables were quite dire. Beers on tap were Jack back and 80/- from Stewarts, Hobgoblin Ruby, Fyne Ales’ Jarl and their own Jubilee Ale. The solitary cider meanwhile was Mortimer’s Orchard.

Nicholson's pub with an old style interior that includes an ornate ceiling and patterned tiles on the walls. The wooden central island bar serves 6 real ales and food. One of the better pubs if doing the rose street pub crawl.