The Guildford Arms, Edinburgh

An unusual wedge shaped building in a slightly unpromising location perhaps, but nonetheless just a very short stroll from Princes Street, it consists of a single room downstairs in a sort of a V-shape wrapped around the bar counter along with a smaller mezzanine level floor upstairs. Décor wise it’s quite impressive, with a very high and ornate ceiling with elaborate cornice work and much red and gold paintwork. Large arched and etched glass windows are on both sides with dark wood panelling on the walling in between. A wooden porch with revolving door was inset in to the pub, with only the TV perched on top showing a continual loop of drinks adverts spoilt the effect somewhat. Flooring was red patterned carpet and leather bench seating was around much of the perimeter. Despite the open plan nature of the pub, the unusual shape provided a number of cosy recesses. The upstairs area was clearly more of a restaurant and this was quite different in style with a contemporary appearance including a sanded wood floor and quite jazzy wallpaper. Service at the bar was fast and efficient. The menu offered a decent selection of dishes including pub grub staples such as fish & chips and a burger. I went for the chicken stuffed with haggis, wrapped in smoked bacon and served in a peppercorn sauce, and this was a decent enough dish, although also one of the more expensive options at £15.95. Beers on tap were Edinburgh Gold, Tenby Black Flag, Cromarty Hit The Lip, Thornbridge Tapit, Orkney IPA, Fyne Ales Jarl, Radical Road Reverse, Orkney Dark Island, Pentland IPA and Bombardier. After that lot, cider choice was a little disappointing with only Stowford Press.

Can't think of any other pubs with a revolving door! Used to thing it was slightly more down at heel to the Cafe Royal Bar next door - but on a quiet visit, I got to see it in all its splendour. Its beautiful. Great local real ales all around the bar - so make sure you check them all out before committing.

Old style pub serving 10 real ales . Makes a good double header with the very ornate Cafe Royal next door.

This is an old wedge shaped pub with a revolving door entrance that I would have thought was a fire hazard. It's been more than well described below and wasn't too busy on my Thursday afternoon visit. It struck me that it may be a bit food orientated and that the food service had ended. This place probably had the best beer selection I saw in Scotland The ten hand pumps had London Pride, Stewart Pentland IPA, Fyne Jarl, Orkney Dark Island, Shiny Abyss, Allendale Yakima Pale, Swannay Scapa Special, Great Heck Mount Hood, Alechemy Line Breaker IPA and Bridge House Cherry Choc Stout. These were all listed on a blackboard that showed the prices and their pricing structure doesn't do much for responsible drinking as just two sub 4.0% ABV ones were £3.80 & £3.90 while everything else was £4.00-£4.30. I've never advocated responsible drinking so went for the Allendale Yakima Pale (£4.00) and the Choc Cherry Stout (£4.30) both of which were excellent. Although expensive this was one that I would return to.

An extremely popular and, therefore, extremely busy central Edinburgh pub, the Guildford is just a short walk from Waverley Station. The interior, reached through a revolving door, is beautiful, with lots of dark wood, chandeliers, mirrors and an ornate bar. This boasts approximately ten hand pumps and an equal number dispensing keg beers and ciders. Being in the middle of Edinburgh, it is understandably expensive, with a perfect pint of London Pride costing me £3.90. The upstairs restaurant, called "The Gallery," is part of the pub and food is also served in the ground floor bar, including breakfasts from 10.00 to mid-day on Saturdays and Sundays. The main attractions here, though, have to be the architecture and the beer.