Ryries Bar, Edinburgh

Traditional looking pub filled with foreign tourists and the lower end of Edinburgh's social spectrum. Close to Haymarket station and beware this is a typical station pub. Celtic on the TV when we called in for one, so quite few football fans in. As soon as the match ended some live acoustic music started up. 6 handpumps but only 3 on, but the Caledonian seasonal was in good nick. The main problem was the totally clueless east European girl behind the bar. Only 2 of us waiting and she served the wrong person and then disappeared for 5 minutes leaving the bar unmanned. A blonde girl appeared a few minutes later and she seemed to know what to do behind the bar. She banished the other girl to collect glasses which was more in keeping with her level of ability. There are far too many good pubs in Edinburgh to waste time with this one. We won't be calling again.

Perhaps I caught it on a bad day, but the atmosphere felt rather rougher round the edges than the traditional look - with plenty of interesting details inside and out - would suggest. Six real ales on handpump, including the seasonal Caledonian 'Over the Bar' (£3.30). As well as the station, it will eventually be handy for the tram (ever they ever get round to finishing construction).

Traditional pub located next to Haymarket train station. Early opening (9:00 am) real ale and food available also has an Italian restaurant upstairs.