Bert's Bar

I had been drinking on and off in Bert's Bar for more than 20 years until it was "renovated" a few years ago and had the soul torn out of it. It used to be one of the best pubs in Edinburgh; a beautiful old pub, with green leather seats, a wee snug and wee nooks and crannies. It was a great place for a pint (and one of their legendary pies) any time, but particularly on cold winter evenings when sitting in the warmth of the snug or the other cosy wee corners. It's now an anonymous open plan wannabe wine bar.

Even the pies have been spoiled. They used to sell steak and peppercorn pies - delicious affairs with good quality (for a pie) steak and whole peppercorns - but they've removed the peppercorns and increased the price.

There is still a good choice of beer, including guest ales, but I feel sad thinking that if visitors to Edinburgh, or Edinburgers themselves, went there having heard of Bert's Bar's past glories, they'd be in for a disappointing time.

Why anybody would buy a beautiful old pub like that and transform it into the kind of cloned, lifeless dive you can find in any part of Edinburgh and beyond will always remain a mystery to me. If my numbers ever come up, I'll buy it and restore it to its former glory........and ban laptops.