Kay’s Bar

The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.

A classic New Town pub, small and unimposing next to the grand tenements around it but filled with a diverse clientele from all walks of life, Kay’s has recently come under the ownership of the old bar manager following the former owner’s retirement. A bit of a spruce-up hasn’t damaged what folk love about it, though. Still intact are the old-fashioned Victorian charm, the range of fifty whiskies and seven real ales and the homely barfly ballast of pies, haggis or mince with beans. With no music on it’s a pub for conversation in the open-front bar or the snug in the back, but its legacy as one of the city’s best rugby pubs means you’d best take an interest if there’s a televised match on.

• High point: Huge amounts of classic character
• Low point: Non-rugby fans beware on match day