Yeaman Place,

Edinburgh

What's it like? The Golden Rule is a split level, mainly real ale pub, with no-nonsense decor and popular with the locals. It used to be the rough'n'ready Yeaman Bar, which closed down for six months in 1990 to reappear as The Golden Rule. It's a bit of a pub of two halves - the roomier bar with the emphasis on real ales, and the cosier lounge (down half a dozen steps) with the emphasis on continental lagers and bottled beers.

Is it a Hearts Pub? Not really - you won't find pictures of cup winning teams or classic moments adorning the walls here. But the manager Dave always digs out his maroon shirt and tie on match days.

How busy is it? It does get busy before and after matches, but nothing like the mayhem you'll find in the Sample Room or the Diggers. You may experience some frustration at getting served as the locals who know the bar staff by first name (i.e., me!) get preferential treatment. There's a sizeable Jambo contingent use it as stopping-off point every second Saturday - it tends to be the same faces.

What's the atmosphere like? As variable as it can be at Tynie these days - and it can depend on which of the two bars your in. Before a big match, the most noise you'll get is usually directed at any match build up on the TV. After a big match (OK, make that after an enjoyable win) you'll probably get a sing song, especially in the lounge. I could launch into an extremely long reminisce about some nights downstairs in the Golden Rule (16th May 1998 springs effortlessly to mind) but I'll save that for a different article!

What is there to drink? It may be easier to ask what isn't there! Real ales on twelve handpumps in the bar always include Caley 80, IPA, Bass and a range of guest ales. Lager is Tennent's, plus Stella Artois, Staropramen and Hoegaarden all on draught. There's also Belhaven Best, Caffrey's, Guinness in regular as well as extra cold, and Dry Blackthorn Cider (not the UK's number one!). Bottled lagers are too many to list here, and there's some additional oddities like a range of fruit gins.

What are the prices like? Not bad, but not great either. Around the £2 mark for most pints. Slightly less for the regular stuff - Tennent's is £1.90, IPA £1.85, Caley 80/- £1.90 - but take out a second mortgage if your planning an evening on Staropramen or Hoegaarden - the latter being £2.40!.

Any food? Just pies and toasties, and expect a filthy look from the bar staff if you order one on a match day!

Can I take in my ten-year-old? Well-behaved kids smuggled into a corner of the lounge generally seem to have a bit of a blind eye turned by the bar staff in the pre-match session, but not after the match.

Is it safe for away fans? It depends how they behave! In general, treatment varies between tolerated and welcomed - there's a Killie squad that are quite regular and enjoy it, even sent us a good luck card before the cup final! Strangers in Old Firm or Hibs regalia will likely get a frostier reception, but should be OK if they don't start singing.

Angle Park Terrace,
Edinburgh

By no stretch of the imagination is this the pub it used to be! Having gone through more managers than Aberdeen over the years the once legendary pint of heavy can be as reliable as Steve Fulton after 100 pies and as enjoyable as seeing a last minute controversial Hibs winner! However, in spite of this 'The Diggers' still has a great atmosphere on match day.  Surrounded by Hearts memorabilia (in tribute more to teams of the past than the present!) all alcoholic tastes are now catered for. A pint of lager is now readily served without a look of disbelief on the face of a coffin dodgin' barman and I even saw a man drink Babycham there once!! Into the 90's and women are now allowed to serve the beer along with hot pies, pasties etc. 

Ex-Jambo 'keeper Henry Smith makes the odd appearance by the pumps and has been known to let the odd pint slip through his hands just on closing time! Thankfully no sign of Frank McAvennie! Noticeable by their absence these days is any significant away support before and after games. Where once we had banter between the sets of supporters we now have Jambos arguing over whether or not Alan McManus should have been freed - NOT!

As any football analyst would put it...'An ageing mid-table outfit that on it's day can beat anyone but it really is in desperate need of new blood to let it compete at the highest level ' A pint of heavy will cost you £1-87 and I didn't have the brassneck to ask what they charged for the Babycham.

Slateford Road,

Edinburgh

What's it like? Gray's Mill (or The Mill as it is 'affectionately' known) is a free house, not quite a theme pub but going along with the trend of putting books, jugs and other old things from jumble sales on the shelves around the pub. There are two distinct areas in the pub still known as the bar and the lounge from the days when these two areas where separated by a swing door.

Is it a Hearts Pub? More or less, there are a few Hearts photos on the walls, a signed strip, Dave MacPherson's Scotland strip and The Mill Hearts supporters club 'live' there so there is there notice board with all their Hearts stuff. However fans of other teams quite frequently drink in here. On match days it belongs to Hearts fans and only a few hibbies venture in (they do get a lovely reception though, see later).

How busy is it? Quite busy for an hour or so before and after games, regulars stand a slightly better chance of getting served. They always put on extra bar staff so there is not too long a wait. For bigger games and famous victories and for that matter famous defeats (cup finals, semi finals, Jose's gaol against sellic, the Wayne Foster game) it becomes a Hearts theme pub - but if it's only a few drunk folk singing then you will be told to shut up.

What's the atmosphere like? Before games it is usually very good, lots of optimism in the air. We always get a big build up to games against hibs when songs like daydream Believer etc are played over and over to get us in the mood. As for after the game, well like I've mentioned above it really depends on the result. If we get heavily beaten it seems to end up in a better night than a mediocre result or a narrow victory (excluding narrow victories against sellic, Huns and vermin games which are always celebrated vigorously). I can remember some amazing nights when we have been well and truly humped 5-0 against Aberdeen at Pittodrie, 5-1 Huns cup final '96 and many more). I have seen many nights after a great result when there are impromptu discos (i.e. drunk Hearts fans dancing in the middle of the pub with their scarves on), congas and such like. It is all dependent upon how many fans stay in the pub (there are a lot of 2 drinks after the match people - unfortunately I never have that much discipline).

What is there to drink? All the usual suspects plus a lot more, there are always malt of the month offers and guest ales. The Guinness, IPA, Caffreys, Velvet, 80%, 70% etc are all there.

What are the prices like? On par with the area - £1.80 - £2 for a pint, £1.85 a vodka.

Any food?  Great value food - and a lot of choice - although you probably would want to eat early - I am not sure if I have seen people order food when the pub is really busy half an hour before kick off. (Malones the bakers is two doors away so lots of people are found to sneaking out there later on for a steak pie on a roll ....).

Can I take in my ten-year-old? Before the game yes, and I think up until 7pm on a Saturday match. Not after evening games.

Is it safe for away fans? Yes. Sellic and Rangers fans seem to come in great numbers and try to get away with singing their sectarian songs. Usually a good banter is had with any away fans who come in. I seem to recall a big group of Albion Rovers fans came in when we played them in the cup in recent years (probably it was their entire support).