Photo of
May 9, 2019

Way back in February, we blogged about a raft of new Edinburgh bars which were appearing on the horizon.

One we mentioned was the property formerly known as The Annfield at Newhaven.

Once a very traditional pub, it has been extensively refurbed and, now called Basil's, it hopes to pull in customers from the local neighbourhood.

Taking its name from Sir Basil Spence, the Scottish architect who designed Coventry Cathedral as well as several prominent buildings in Edinburgh, the bar is now under the management of Neil Douglas, the man behind Glasgow restaurants Ardnamurchan and Café Antipasti.

We don't know an exact opening date but they have recently been advertising for staff which suggests that the launch date is not too far away.

Raise a glass to the Whisky Stramash

Also not too far away is the next Whisky Stramash (main pic) which will take place at Surgeons' Hall on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May.

Back for the eighth time, the Whisky Stramash prides itself on demolishing the myth that whisky is the sole preserve of gammon-faced chaps who get itchy when further than three feet from a tweed suit and a wing-backed leather chair.

Or, as they put it, 'The Stramash is an event of mystery, entertainment, comicality and madcap innovation'.

Mysterious as it may be, we can definitely tell you four things about The Stramash:

There will be plenty of whisky samples available from distilleries in Scotland and further afield.

There will be lots of master classes, tutored tastings and what is now called 'brand activation'.

All tickets include a complimentary Glencairn sampling glass. 

At the time of writing (Wed 8th May), the noon session on the Saturday had sold out but there were still tickets for the sessions beginning at 5pm on the Saturday and noon on the Sunday.

Slainte!