Edinburgh 'City Fathers'

[Pigpen]

I was in Edinburgh for the rugby last weekend, along with many thousands of New Zealanders, South Africans, French, Americans, Canadiens etc etc. A fantastic atmosphere with everyone getting along nicely, lots of friendly banter and rugby talk. The pubs were heaving, especially along Rose St. The weather was great so most people were outside in the roadway (the pubs aren't huge anyway, so made it more comfortable as well).

At 9pm, the staff come out and start to pack up the tables and chairs and start telling everyone that they are no longer allowed to drink outside. Its the law!!

FFS, I thought we were trying to educate drinkers in this country and try to encourage a European cafe culture. All this did was cram the pubs so that no one could get served, it was very uncomfortable and probably dangerous.

What a great example to show visitors to our country!

[Hickdive]

You'll have had your cafe-style outside drinking then? You should have hopped on a train to Glasgow

The Merchant City is full of pubs with cafe-style areas and Glasgow City Council doesn't chase you in at 9.00.

Edinburgh; A Castle, A Smile and A Joke; well, one out of three isn't bad.

[Steve S]

To be fair when I was there in 1999? to see England scupper the chance of a Scottish slam some of the people we drank with in the Auld Clachlan [near Fat Sams] would frighten the tourists if allowed to drink outside after dark

Safe diving,
Steve

[Prometheus]

But were you drinking beer or coffee.

[benpanter]

As I understand it, the 'no drinking outside in the evening rule' coincided with the smoking ban to try to stop pub customers moving outside wholesale with their pints and fags, hence blocking the pavement and providing a source of glass should something kick off.

There are plenty of places where you can drink outdoors up here, but pretty much all of them are either well off the pavement or outside the city centre.

(It could be to try and reduce the number of bloody tourists milling about too, but I probably shouldn't mention that one!)

[Hickdive]

Originally Posted by benpanter

or outside the city centre.
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No no ,the Merchant City is pretty much in the city centre.

Oh sorry, no, you meant Edinburgh town centre didn't you? My mistake

[Pigpen]

My main point/gripe being that the city centre was crammed with visitors, who were being herded into pubs like calves into veal crates at a ridiculous hour.

Short sightedness.

[macstinator]

...but you can still drink a carry out in the streets in our glorious capital, as well as drink 24hrs. Something which you cannot in Glasgow. Although,
Glasgow does permit shooting up, stabbing, murder and other such wonderrous activities.

[lloydwatkin]

I was up in Edinburgh for the rugby back in Feburary. Must say it's an awesome city loved every minute of it, the door staff would even let me stand on the tables and lead a good old Welsh sing-song. Although didn't test the outside drinking thing, it was a tad cold for that.

Last weekend, got our last drinks in a 3:55am at a pub in town, come 4:02am they're practically forcing us out of the place. We need to learn how to treat us drinkers in the same way as Europe, even if they called last orders 30 minutes before closing, happier customers. The way it is we all have a good night, then leave pissed off