Oxford Bar

Oxford Bar on Young Street.

Now here is a really nice local pub. It is so local, in fact, that when I walked in, on my own, I had that immediate first impression of treading on someone else's territory. The tap room was full, mostly with middle aged men, standing arround the small bar, one eye on the footy, one eye on me, pints in hand. I can't say that as I stepped in conversations stopped, toothpics were chewed and a lonely wolf howled in the distance, but I did feel I was intruding. Well, too bad, this was were I made my appointment, so this was where I was going to stay. The other room was empty but for a group of young German tourists talking in hushed voices. I took my time before returning to the tap room, had a look around the bleak walls and faded photos, realised I could not put it off any longer and went to get a half of Belhaven Best. I was curious to try it as I've been reading all about the brewery at work, and it is made just a few miles from Edinburgh. Just as I was sitting down with my frothy glass others arrived, and I got distracted from actually tasting it, but I do remember it was smooth and nice.

The busy tap room.

I really don't like the term 'old man pub' - it sounds so derogatory - but in the case of the Oxford Bar, well, it is fitting. It is a relaxed, old fashioned place, and has the air of old bachelorhood about it - they've let themselves down a bit, could do with a good clean, but it has good core values and can probably mend a sink. I'm mixing my metaphors here, but you get the idea. The pub's claim to fame is being the favourite hang out of Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus - again, I hope this means more to you than it does to me. As far as I'm concerned, it was chilled out, had good beer, and would make a decent local - if I had not already given my heart to Kay's Bar.

Suspicious locals.