The Maltings

I used to go here a couple of years ago because a friend of mine used to work here, so we’d generally hang out around the bar keeping her company. And that’s kinda the only reason I’d ever go to the Maltings. Not that there’s anything at all wrong with it, but there’s nothing that great about it either. What I mean to say is that there are better pubs to go to in Edinburgh, but this isn’t the worst option either.
It’s pretty big and seems to have loads of nooks and crannies you can hide out in. I went to a pub quiz there once, which was alright as far as pub quizzes go. I don’t like pub quizzes, especially not in this country, where they expect me to know loads of British trivia that you would get from watching television, which I don’t.
They have pool tables and mediocre ales on tap (the ones all pubs have, i.e. Deuchars and Best). Their prices are average. The staff have always been nice to me, but then again I knew one of them, so that doesn’t really count. I guess they hire good people, though.

As far as local pubs go, this has got to be mine seeing as I live directly opposite it and I do have a soft spot for it. It is one of the pubs that is busier on Wednesday afternoon than Saturday evening. Actually to be honest it’s about the same because it’s exactly the same people in there all the time. It could easily be the scene from a sitcom with a load of old boys propping up the bar, each with their own little quirk. Going in there quite a bit over the past year I have got to know them and they are all nice lads but if I were just popping in whilst passing I would feel very out of place.
The beers are exactly what you’d expect in this sort of place. The have a few lagers and a few ales on tap but nothing special. The only thing notable as far as drinks go is that a bottle of Bulmers only costs £2.70, cheaper than most of the student bars.
There is a jukebox, but it is rarely turned on. Instead the bar staff opt for their laptops attached to the speakers as then they can put on old the old classics that the regulars seem to love. There is also a pool table, and if you get chatting to a few of the old boys a game or 2 invariably follows. As well as this they have a free dart board, which is good at first, but becomes increasingly frustrating the more drinks you have (and with my flatmate’s accuracy drastically shortening the life expectancy of anyone in the near vicinity).
It is a nice little pub but nothing special and unless you are a regular or know them it can feel a little intimidating, but they are friendly old bods so give it a chance.

The Maltings is a pub that, over the years, I have not visited that much. Yes, it was near Pollock Halls in first year, and during the last three years I have lived close by, but this has not persuaded me.
The pub itself is very much like any other traditional type pub in the city. It has a pool table, a wii, has a couple of large television screens for football and has a reasonable selection of drinks. It even does a decent pub quiz and the staff do seem quite chatty.
So why have I not fallen for this pub. Well, from the outside and inside, it does look tired. Indeed, the many locals inside do look tired and might be the reason for scaring away some younger customers. It just lacks that great atmosphere that other pubs have. It’s a shame, because it is in a great location.
Okay, for a pint I suppose though.

This is a pool sharks paradise. Don’t play anyone you don’t know, even if you think you’re good, you’re nothing compared to these guys.
At least the pool table is in good nick (this guys would probably murder you if you spilled something on it). The staff were really suprised to see us in there, like the only youths they see are the grankids once a year.
Look out for the guy with the wonky moustash, he has last weeks Unilocal wages!

I went to The Maltings a few times during my first year and I never really thought it was anything special. A few of my friends, however, thought it was great and did the pub quiz every Wednesday night. I played with them one night and we lost spectacularly but it was still fun. The majority of the other competitors were at least twice our age and this is indicative of the customers which the pub attracts as a whole. It isn’t marketed to students and so you won’t be getting any great deals from the bar or the latest beats coming from the jukebox.
The customers and the barstaff are all friendly, however, and they have a pool table which is in good condition.
The Maltings doesn’t really fulfil my personal criteria for a pub but it’s certainly a relaxing place to visit for a drink in the afternoon or evening.

I drink here occasionally mainly due to convenience rather than anything else, as I live so close by.
Let me set the scene… at any given time of the day there are half a dozen or so old men resting their elbows on the bar with a half-​drunk pint in their hand, the jukebox plays ‘60s and ‘70s music, and at least one of the regulars will have their dog sitting by their feet… but somehow it’s really quite cool in it’s own little way.
The first time my flatmate and I walked in, the whole place fell silent… we were the only ones under 60 or female! It was quite disconcerting at first, but very quickly it became clear that the regulars and staff alike very extremely friendly and chatty, and now every game of pool is invariably followed by a doubles game with someone (The expressions on their faces when they see that you’re capable of potting a ball was a classic!).
The pub quiz on thursdays is always a good laugh, just make sure you take your parents with you if you want to stand a chance during the music round.

Strange combination of pensioners and students usually fill this pub. Not a lot of seating nor is the cheapest if your a student. Not the best atmosphere, plenty better pubs nearby i would pick over this one

Discovered by chance on an unplanned pub crawl, Maltings offers relief from the usual ‘full of students’ atmosphere everywhere else. That stands true for everynight but thursdays which are (very recently) student discount nights. Drinks are a regular fare and are reasonably priced. Bar staff is a sight for sore eyes: Ever so friendly and cute to boot!
A happy atmosphere and a motley crowd of all ages: Interesting and chilled out.

We all know what it’s like to meet up with an old friend for a quiet drink in a city centre pub, only to have half a dozen stag parties, hen parties and student gangs descend on the place. That’s why pubs like the Maltings are vital to the community spirit of the city outside the circuit done by large groups, the Maltings is a comfy, grown-​up pub next to the main student strip. As well as being one of those perpetually warm and cosy pubs due to the red walls and sink-​into sofas, it’s also a hub of the local folk and live music scene, hosting an open mic night of eclectic, yet practised, performers every Friday night. With the kind of bar staff who take a genuine interest in how your day’s been, and the kind of clientele who’ll acknowledge, but not harass, you, this pub is a haven of calm in a world gone mad.

Used to visit a few years ago when I was a student in Edinburgh. I went to the Maltings again recently when I was back there for a visit. Its very different now, in good and bad ways. It looks really good but there are tv screens everywhere which don’t make for a conversation-​friendly atmosphere. Even though it’s under new management now, it still serves great ale and the witty Australian barman (would be an asset to any pub) would draw you back there again and again. The jukebox doesn’t offer much to speak of. For smokers outside there is an additional tv screen and canopy. Its one of the better south-​side bars for sure.

The bar simply calls out to be propped up in this timeless watering hole. Quality open mic to be had every Friday night where cute boys abound. Jostle for a seat amongst the whisky guzzling pensioners and the pretty young thing in purple tights and oversized bag.