The Oxford Bar

The 2012 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the 2010 edition.

There may be those who suggest the Oxford’s reputation is entirely down to Ian Rankin, who drove his literary detective John Rebus in there on a frankly unprofessional number of occasions. Regulars, however, will tell you the reputation was always there, and that Rankin just fanned it. The larger back room seating area is unfussy, but the small bar is positively Spartan, offering a couple of real ales, a malt of the month, pies and sausage rolls, and some of Edinburgh’s liveliest bar chat.

• High point: The overheard conversation
• Low point: Patience required if you’ve come to star-spot