Malones: 14 Forrest Road, Edinburgh

Back in the late 1990s Ireland was on the up and up economically, the Corrs were at the top of their game and there was an Irish bar on every corner of Edinburgh (Scruffy Murphy's on George the IV Bridge a particular favourite – now the Villager). Okay, history lesson over, fast forward to 2011 and there are far fewer Irish bars in Edinburgh and even less of them are good. Malones isn’t in the good category.   

Malones problem is that it tries to be all things to all men and fails in every category. The only Irish beer on tap is Guinness and I’ve never had a good pint of Guinness there – fail! As a place to watch the sport it’s reasonable, I’ve watched a few Champions League matches there and they show more than one game on their various TVs. Unfortunately I’ve also been there during the Six Nations (rugby) when a penalty was about to be kicked and the big screen TV shorted out – fail! I guess if you’re a student it’s ok, as you can get a pint of Carlsberg for £2, however, just down the road at Finnegan’s Wake you can get a pint of Best for £1.75, a far better drink and better value.

Sure you wouldn’t go to Malones for the entertainment either. I remember seeing a band there singing the song by Example called Kickstarts. Listen to this song then try to imagine one member of the band singing the electronic music bit – bizarre! The performance literally cleared the bar. I also went for a drink in this bar not knowing there was a Father Ted fancy dress night on. Now I like Father Ted, but this fancy dress affair was horrendous. Folk dressed like edjits, hanging underwear on a washing line, clichéd Irish dancing and pissed guys dropping their trousers. Add to this a bad pint of Guinness and you’ve got a truly awful night out! I’d have had a better night if I’d stayed at home, cracked open a few cans of beer and watched an episode of Father Ted!

Watch an episode of Father Ted instead!

Bert’s Bar: 29-31 William Street, Edinburgh

What a fantastic bar. This is the type of no nonsense bar where you can get a pie and a decent pint of ale. This is an ideal place to catch up on the football in a relaxing atmosphere and enjoy some proper beer. What more needs to be said? Only that a pint of Best or Deuchars is £2.60 – incredible value!

Proper Beer!

The Murrayfield Hotel: 18 Corstorphine Road, Murrayfield, Edinburgh

If you are going to watch the rugby at Murrayfield Stadium, there is not a better place to have a pint before, after the game, or both. I’ve been to the Murrayfield hotel many a time and never had a bad pint there which is quite an achievement in itself. During international test matches the place is packed, however the bar staff are quite efficient so you don’t have to wait too long to be served. While you watch the pre match commentary on their TVs, should you need some inspiration, Rugby memorabilia adorns their walls. Even when the rugby is not on it’s worth a visit if you are in the Murrayfield area as it does some decent scran (translation - food) and as mentioned a decent pint.   

Traditional on the outside modern on the inside