The Alexander Graham Bell (JD Wetherspoon), Edinburgh

A modern Wetherspoons housed in a building that was originally built late in the 18th Century as a pair of period houses before being used as shops and offices. The façade was rebuilt in the mid 1970’s and prior to it opening as Wetherspoons in 2010 it was the Ivory Lounge and before that Bar 38. The largish interior is a total contrast to the Standing Order ‘Spoons just down George Street with none of the elegance and any architectural merits having been ripped out under the various former transformations. What is left is a modern open plan interior with low ceilings and, despite the pub’s size, some quite cramped seating, in oparticular in front of the bar wher the proximity of the tables make it awkward getting to/from the bar without having to breathe in and squeeze between two seated people The stairs to loos contain some quite stunning photos of 19th Century Edinburgh, some dating back to the 1850’s, as well as displays about two of Edinburghs more renown citizens, Conan Doyle and of course Alexander Graham Bell himself. On the subject of toilets, they are the current Loo of the Year award winners for those who revel over such things. Whilst you generally know what you will get product wise with ‘Spoons, the choice of beers on my visit was quite poor with not much in the way of any interesting guest beers. Service was quite sluggish although to be fair it was a Saturday night and the pub was packed with the usual tourist element boosted by fringe festival goers. Overall, this is probably one ‘Spoons that is best left to ‘Spoons collectors and it would be a shame to miss out a more essential Edinburgh pub to fit this one in.

A fairly busy new JDW on George Street, the Bell lacks the character of the Standing Order, just along the road, although its smaller size makes it more intimate. Staff are fairly inefficient and apathetic, but the clientele is nice enough. Of the ten handpumps on the bar, 7 had ales on and one a cider. I had a pint each of Red House and Otter, both average and both served too cold. It's not the best pub in the area, but equally well there's no reason to avoid it. Worth including in a crawl.