A festival of beer?

The world-famous Edinburgh festival is well and truly underway, and as we move into mid-August the city is busier than ever. With thousands of events on throughout the month, it seems like every street is packed with camera-toting tourists, flyer-toting performers and elbow-toting locals. If you’re visiting Edinburgh, you’ll more than likely need a beer after ploughing through the crowds – or as refreshment following a gig or play.

That’s where the BeerCast comes in. We’ve written pub guides before, but not festival-specific ones. Most of the larger venues do have a bar attached (probably not, if you’re seeing a show at Gilmerton Library). Trouble is, almost every single one serves macro lager or uninspiring ales (Summerhall being a notable exception). The solution? Simply head round the corner to the nearest great pub. Whether you’re meeting up with people before a show, or going somewhere afterwards – follow the magic blue line…

Venue: The Pleasance Courtyard
Bar: Holyrood 9A
Walk: 4min

The Pleasance is one of the major festival fringe epicentres, with twenty-six different venues in total. Divided between sites at Potterrow and the Pleasance itself, the latter of these (i.e. the Courtyard, not the Pleasance Dome) has a large beer garden, which is actually a great place to soak up the festival atmosphere. It also happens to be 0.2 miles away from the Holyrood 9A, one of the best bars in the city…

Venue: The Pleasance Dome
Bar: Dagda Bar
Walk: 6min

Every year, people end up at the wrong Pleasance venue – it’s so easy to get them mixed up. The Dome is at Potterrow by Bristo Square, and is held inside one of the student union buildings of the University of Edinburgh. It’s quite a sprint from the Courtyard when you realise you’re in the wrong queue. Calm the fraying nerves with a beer in the Dagda Bar, which specialises in Scottish cask ales.

Venue: The Underbelly, Cowgate
Bar: BrewDog Edinburgh
Walk: 3min

From either end of the Cowgate (this works just as well from the other direction, if you’re seeing a show at Just the Tonic at the Caves) if you need an option to find decent beer, wander along for 0.2miles to BrewDog Edinburgh. The Cowgate is always packed with people – even more so at festival time – but battle your way through the hordes and wedge yourself into the BrewDog bar.

Venue: Queen’s Hall
Bar: The Southern
Walk: 1min

This has to be our easiest (and shortest) recommendation. The Queen’s Hall specialises in musical talent, so after the gig, head along the road for a foot-friendly 400m to the Southern. You could probably even get a beer and head back before the encore starts. Alternatively, go the Southern first and fill up with a burger before the concert begins.

Venue: Assembly Hall
Bar: The Bow Bar
Walk: 6min

There’s plenty on at the Assembly on the Mound, and if you don’t fancy a can of Heineken at the outdoor bar then walk to Victoria Street – literally just two corners away. You can even take a shortcut through Writer’s Close, but sticking to the roads is dead easy. Cross over the Royal Mile and take the next right, down the hill to the majestic Bow Bar. This recommendation also holds for people at the Castle, following the military Tattoo.

Venue: Assembly Rooms, George Street
Bar: Kay’s Bar
Walk: 8min

Not to be confused with Assembly Hall, the Assembly Rooms have recently re-opened following a major refit. Feel free to explore the wonders of George Street – but if you’d rather go for something more substantial, seek out a tiny backstreet pub that’s one of Edinburgh’s hidden secrets. Kay’s Bar is quiet, has great beers, and whiskies that are older than me.

Venue: The Book Festival, Charlotte Square
Bar: The Stockbridge Tap
Walk: 12min

Finally, for those seeking more literary pursuits during the festival, a short downhill stroll from Charlotte Square is the Stockbridge Tap. Admittedly, twelve minutes is the longest of our recommended walks – but put the tote bag over the shoulder, tuck those reading glasses in the pocket and head on down to what could be Edinburgh’s best pub.

Of course, there are plenty more festival venues out there – but, as we’ve hopefully shown here, you’re never very far from a decent pint in Edinburgh…