Columba Hotel, Inverness

Official site of Columba Hotel - www.guestreservations.com

Official site of Columba Hotel - www.guestreservations.com

A large, recently refurbished single room bar that is presumably connected to the hotel above, but very much maintains it’s own identity and even it’s own name being known as McNabs Bar & Bistro. With it’s high ceilings and large windows almost filling the front wall (with great views across the river to the castle), it’s got a light and airy feel. One end is apparently reserved for drinking, as we were told we had to sit at the other end if we were eating. The flooring is all reclaimed boards as seems to be the vogue these days and the walls are painted a shade of khaki green with some large, arty black and white photos along the back wall. There are plasmas at each end of the room which were showing Sky News, and this was somewhat distracting, especially at the “dining” end of the pub. Below each plasma was a tiled fireplace. Seating was a mixture of benches around the perimeter, tables, chairs and leather armchairs. There was a candle on each table. There was a decent “pub grub” food menu, and although not too extensive there was probably something to suit most tastes. We found the food to be decent enough and generous portions, and we enjoyed what we had. Most of the mains were around the £8/£9 mark. Staff were friendly and helpful, although it would have been good if they could have wiped down the tables more often. Even when laying it up with fresh cutlery, they apparently failed to notice it was covered in crumbs. Drink choice was disappointing and expensive, with a pint and a half costing £5.85 and a coffee or tea £3.00. There were no real ales on tap, just some keg stuff such as McEwans and John Smith’s. The only cider was Strongbow unfortunately.