There seems to be a bit of an animal theme developing on Edinburgh’s new bar scene.
First up, we have The Black Cat replacing Citizen Smith’s/Filthy McNasties on Rose Street. It’s being run by Chris Miles who previously looked after Glasgow’s Booly Mardy. It’s all reclaimed wood and deer skulls for the decor while whisky is the main focus on the booze front.
‘Great Scottish fayre’ is the name of the game when it comes to scran with stovies, Scotch pies and haggis balls being the most eye-catching dishes.
Also of note is the Black Cat’s sharing platter which offers the unusual combination of haggis balls, olives, white bait and prawns. Scottish surf ‘n’ turf with olives as a side dish, perhaps?
Returning to the animal theme, The Brass Monkey Bar which has long been a studenty haven in the Old Town, has opened a new branch on Leith Walk.
Loads of bottled beer and ciders; pizza and a daily film screening are among the attractions.
The blog imagines that the owners are trying to attract a similar crowd to those that drink in the Walk’s Boda Bar, the Victoria and Joe Pearce’s; all of which have found a new lease of life since being taken over by Swedish couple, Mike and Anna.
Finally, this time with no connection to any of our furry friends, a new place called Drinkies has opened on the corner of Queen and Frederick Street.
An off licence, wine bar and art gallery, Drinkies also does a neat line in unpasteurised beers from Austrian micro-breweries, a previously untapped niche in Edinburgh.
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