Anyone in Edinburgh who has been unable or unwilling to finance a trip to the States for the World Cup will nevertheless be able to get close to the action for Scotland’s World Cup opener against Haiti this weekend.
In recent years, fan parks and large-scale watch parties with big screens have been put in place but, for many, the local pub remains the best place to experience the action with fellow fans.
But with Scotland’s opener potentially running until 4am, special licences were issued, and pubs were granted leave to remain open until the final whistle blows.
Pubs like the Polwarth Tavern in Polwarth, Malones in Leith, Footlights in Tollcross, Brewhemia on Market Street, Stramash, and the Pear Tree on West Nicolson Street are preparing for one of their busiest nights of the year.
The Polwarth Tavern
The Polwarth Tavern, one of the city’s most recognisable sports pubs, is expecting a busy night and owners have encouraged fans to turn up early to guarantee a spot.
If you can secure a space, however, you’ll be greeted with a crackling atmosphere, friendly staff, a classic beer selection, and hearty pub grub.
The Pear Tree
If you’re looking for something a bit bigger, and open air, then The Pear Tree could be your best bet.
The Pear Tree is one of Edinburgh’s largest beer gardens, and features a huge outdoor screen for sporting events like the Six Nations or the World Cup.
Queues to get in often run out into the street, however, and the bar stops admitting patrons at 10pm — meaning fans will need to be inside well ahead of the late kick-off to secure a spot.
Malones (Leith or West End)
Malones has two branches in Edinburgh, and both are worth a shout when deciding where to catch the game.
The West End branch has a huge upstairs area to provide extra capacity, and will likely provide the raucous atmosphere many crave.
The Leith branch, however, is a bit smaller, but may offer a slightly more relaxed atmosphere, if any pub can be said to be relaxed on an occasion of such magnitude.
Brewhemia
Brewhemia on Market Street, on the southern end of the Waverley Bridge, is planning on transforming the beer hall into a sports bar for the first time in the pub’s history.
Big screens will be placed in the venue for each Scotland game as well as the World Cup semis and finals. These are the only games expected to be shown at the venue, however.
Stramash
Another transformation will occur at Stramash, where the live music venue and night club will introduce a big screen and multiple TVs for Scotland’s Haiti opener.
They will also show the Brazil vs Morocco game on the smaller TVs in the buildup to Scotland vs Haiti for those wishing to keep up with Scotland’s Group C rivals. Live music will be available until 12:30am.
Stramash is charging an entry fee of £10 for the event.
Seamus’s
This brand-new Irish pub replaced the International Bar last year, and has quickly established itself as a lively and friendly pub, with regular folk nights.
The “old man’s pub for all ages” on 15 Brougham Place will take a break from their regular Hurling and Gaelic football to show every Scotland game during the World Cup.
Footlights
Footlights Bar and Grill in Tollcross features more than a dozen screens, meaning it is impossible to miss the action, no matter where you are in the pub.
They have also pledged to every single World Cup game, not just Scotland’s fixtures.
Whatever your pub of choice, an electric atmosphere is guaranteed across the capital as fans get behind the national team.
