Haberdashery Bar, Dunfermline

A funny small, multi-level place with a higgledy-piggledy layout. What looks like the main entrance from the street is furthest away from the bar – two rooms separated by a doorway with intricate old floor tiling, with banquettes and mirrored walls. Up two steps and follow the corridor upwards past a couple of small snugs up to the main bar. Alternatively you can do what the locals do and head up the delivery driveway and use the side entrance direct to the bar. Bar area is weird - no windows, so permanently subterranean. It sports strange meringue-like walls, slate flooring and red padded bench seating. Brass foot rest noted. Large TV showing athletics with piped music from the jukey. There’s also a pool room off two steps to the left. No ale here, so just a freezing Belhaven Best served up by friendly staff. Not exactly somewhere I’d recommend for a drink but in terms of the unusual, it’s worth a quick look. Plus it’s close to the station.

The front door leads into what appears to be a shop conversion, and it's only by exploring backwards from here that the intrepid explorer is able to penetrate the maze and reach the bar at the rear. This is all very pleasant, interesting and intriguing, but for the thirsty pioneer only disappointment awaits, as the bar has no real ale and the Belhaven Best that I settled for was freezing cold and consequently tasteless. Presumably, lager drinkers will be happy enough. Date of visit: 6th March 2016

Situated downhill from the High Street and less the 200 metres from the Dunfermline Town train station. When entering the front there is no sign of the bar. There is plenty of seating and the place looks a maze. I has to ask some customers where is the bar. The bar is further through the back and up a few steps. The bar is better entered from the small opening to the left of the pub and entering from the door at the side rear. The whole place is very dark with subdued lighting. Caledonian best on tap.