New Edinburgh bar – The Ventoux

Over the past few weeks, we’d been hearing rumours about the Illicit Still at Tollcross – that it was destined to become more continental in outlook. As such, a few days ago the Brougham Street pub quietly re-opened as The Ventoux. A name synonymous with the Tour de France, the new bar is the second in the city owned by Murray McKean and Cameron Hill – the other being the Tourmalet in Leith. Firm fans of the old cyclisme, they favour eclectic furnishings in their pedal-themed pubs, albeit serving mostly German (not French) beer.

I went in yesterday and chatted to Greg, the amiable new manager of the Ventoux (named after an infamous mountain stage of the Tour de France, as is the Tourmalet). He admitted things were still very much in their infancy – there was a classic ‘new pub smell’ of paint and varnish. A lone road bike bolted to the ceiling looks a bit out of place, at least until some of the other bits and pieces are added to give the theme a bit more life. That was the thing missing from the old Illicit Still, I thought – it was just a bit bland.

Following a cellar refit by Heineken (replacing the python removed by the previous Pubco), Greg is obliged to take their draft beer – so head down if you’re a fan of Birra Moretti or other lager. For the rest of us, the German bottled beer seems to be the draw – currently there are about a dozen different examples, from Aventinus, Köstritzer amongst others. The monolithic counter doesn’t give much room “Designed by an architect, not a barman” as Greg put it – but there are extra fridges on order to enable more bottles to appear.

In a sense, the Ventoux is stuck between stations – being literally round the corner from Edinburgh’s most established German-themed bottled bar, and a few doors up from one of its best real ale pubs. The patrons of Brauhaus and Cloisters might not flock to the newcomer anytime soon, but once everything is in place it should be a decent addition to the Tollcross pub scene. Having beers supplied by the same source as Brauhaus is a start, at least – and whilst it may have ruffled a few feathers, I can’t see the Ventoux displacing anybody.

For me, it would be great if they had something more interesting on tap other than the ubiquitous Heineken and Deuchars. Of course, you can head a hundred metres in either direction for choice, should you wish. The Ventoux has a nice, relaxed feel to it – and once everything’s in place, I can imagine slouching in a leather sofa with a Schwarzbier watching one of the ‘good-natured sports’ on the plasma TV (which hasn’t arrived yet, either). There’s certainly scope for the Ventoux to develop into a popular local, like it’s sister in Leith.

The Ventoux
2 Brougham Street
Edinburgh EH3 9JH

EDIT – Since that first week, the rest of the fittings have arrived – with pride of place going to a huge fish tank. The extra fridges are in, and Greg’s keen to get the kitchen renovated so food can be served. Until then, you’ll have to make do with Schlenkerla Rauchbier – a meal in a bottle…