All change at Haymarket

Edinburgh’s other railway station – the one used by local residents rather than Waverley’s taxi-seeking tourists – sits on a large and confusing junction at Haymarket, in the west end of the city centre. Perched on that junction is the rounded façade of the Haymarket Bar, staring back at the station of the same name. On Wednesday we were invited along to the re-opening of the Haymarket, following acquisition (and renovation) by Nicholson’s.

The Haymarket used to be an honest drinkers pub, pushing large amounts of Tennent’s and Caledonian beers – even though I used to live seconds away, I hardly ever went there. Things have certainly changed – the standard Nicholson’s look of dark wood and small mirrored partitions are a definite improvement. The huge rectangular bar has been halved, and the beer given pride of place at the front. Unusually for Edinburgh (but not Nicholson’s), dimpled mugs come as standard – although regular pint glasses can be requested.

Nicholson’s have seven other pubs in the city – and with one exception (the excellent Sheep’s Heid out at Duddingston) are all centrally located in prime tourist areas such as the Royal Mile and the Grassmarket. Brand owner Mitchells & Butlers rightly sees Nicholson’s as their traditional arm*, promoting the character and atmosphere – and of course, the beer. The Haymarket now has access to the seasonal M&B beer list – which consists of twenty rotating guests in summer, on their twelve handpulls.

As with the old incarnation of the pub, Deuchars IPA and Caley 80/- are permanent – but the increased number of taps gives landlord Derek far greater scope. When we were there, we got through Copper Dragon Golden Pippin, BrewDog Alice Porter, Fullers Summer Ale, Hopdaemon Incubus, Caledonian Flying Scotsman, Nethergate Umbel Ale and Titanic Centenary**.

This for me is the big bonus of the new Haymarket – in that part of the city there isn’t really a pub with a wide ranging and rotating beer selection (that we know of, at least). Under the new guise, the Haymarket Bar has the chance to pull in another range of customers alongside the rugby fans and local drinkers. The food that was being passed around by the staff also tasted great – so hopefully the new Haymarket has a bright future.

* unless you class O’Neill’s as ‘traditional’
** which were, respectively – standard, roasty, biscuity, tremendous, diacetyl-ridden, very herby, and grapefruity

The Haymarket Bar, 11-14a West Maitland Street, Edinburgh
Tel 0131 228 2537 – open 10am-12am daily
Website @HaymarketforAle