The Oxford Bar, Edinburgh

We found this a nice little pub friendly people had a good Chat and a laugh with them four hand pulls worth a visit

Inconspicuous building in the less-touristy part of the New Town. Small bar area, with a side room up several steps with a very pungent fire. Basic furniture and very limited decor. Four handpumps, with a reasonable beer selection including Scottish Borders Game Bird (£3.40). Overall, I would be happy to give it another try (but on a warmer day with less risk of getting smoked out).

Official site of the Oxford Bar - www.oxfordbar.co.uk

Located on a side street in the new town area of the city centre. Old style pub with quite a plain interior. A small bar area at the entrance serves 4 real ales with a seating area up a small flight of stairs.

Official site of the Oxford Bar - www.oxfordbar.co.uk

Two friends and I visited this place because author Ian Rankin drinks here and it features in his Inspector Rebus novels. With just us and three other customers in the main bar, it was positively crowded, so we moved through to the snug at the side. It’s not much bigger, but at least there was room for us to sit down around a table. Very basically decorated, it nevertheless has a certain quaint charm and looks as if it hasn’t changed much for several decades. Cold filled rolls and three real ales on sale, at reasonable prices given that it’s in the capital’s new town tourist area. Just don’t go in as part of a big crowd on a stag or hen night: there won’t be enough space for you all.

The Oxford is a smaller-than-average bar located just off Rose street. It enjoys a reputation for beer and is a GBG regular. It's basic decor feels a little unwelcoming, but its beer is always well kept and enjoyable. Three ales on, Deuchres was my choice this time and it was a good, refreshing pint. I always find the locals a little cliquey, and the tourists who come here because of its association with Rebus are tiresome, but overall it's not a bad place and the staff are pleasant enough. I would include on a crawl and would happily drop in for a pint if passing. It's also a useful bolt-hole while the Mrs shops, but I'm not sure I would spend a whole evening here when there are many other attractions so close by.

Lovely old unsploilt pub in a cobbled back street close to the Cambridge Bar, this is a small one bar pub with extra seating in a side room just off the corridor leading to the toilets. three ales on at the time of our visit, the Duechars IPA and the Stewart Edinburgh number 3 were both in excellent condition. well worth the 10 minutes walk from Edinburgh Waverley station.

A marvellous find, tucked away in the next street up from the infamous Rose Street. A real locals pub where you are hit by the age and the small size as soon as you enter. The bar area is only about 4 feet wide but a little exploration finds an interesting snug to the right hand side. Literary articles line the walls with the pubs favourite son being novelist Ian Rankin who allegedly based some of his characters on people in the pub. Both the staff and regulars are receptive to visitors and happy to chat which provides for a nice friendly atmosphere. On my last visit I despaired at what had become of some of the pubs along Rose Street but at the ever reliable Oxford Bar a couple of pints of Lia Fail in familiar no nonsense surroundings restored my sanity. Long may the Oxford remain, it provides a welcome bolt hole for those looking for a proper pub.