In a twist that left beer enthusiasts raising their eyebrows, The Playfair, a JD Wetherspoon pub nestled within the Omni Centre in Edinburgh’s New Town, has emerged victorious in the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) quest for the city’s best pint. Narrowly outshining local favourite Kay’s Bar, last year’s Real Ale Quality Award recipient, The Playfair has taken the crown as Edinburgh’s premier pub for ale aficionados.
The annual Real Ale Quality Award by CAMRA, an esteemed recognition within the brewing community, aims to celebrate establishments that consistently deliver exceptional quality in their real ale offerings. In a surprising turn of events, The Playfair not only secured victory in Edinburgh but also managed to edge out competitors from across the Lothians region.
The Old Clubhouse in Gullane emerged triumphant as the best pub in the Lothians, surpassing the Brig & Barrel in Belhaven. Moreover, it clinched the overall Real Ale Quality Award for South-East Scotland. Kay’s Bar, while not securing the top spot, garnered recognition as one of the runners-up, testament to its ongoing commitment to delivering top-tier real ale.
CAMRA, when announcing the winners, conveyed, “The overall branch winner is the Old Clubhouse, Gullane. We plan to conduct a presentation to them in the New Year. This award is entirely based on real ale quality scores submitted by CAMRA members since November 2022. Congratulations to all the winners.”
The surprise triumph of The Playfair comes on the heels of a recent accolade for Wetherspoon venues in Edinburgh. Earlier this year, two city centre establishments claimed top spots in a nationwide ranking of all Wetherspoons pubs, according to reviews on Tripadvisor.
The Standing Order, located on George Street and housed in a historic bank building designed by David Bryce, secured the coveted position as the No.1 Wetherspoon pub in Scotland. The grade A listed building, dating back to 1874-1878, boasts a neo-classical style and even features an original CHUBB vault from 1968 in one of its main dining areas.
Following closely behind was The Caley Picture House on Lothian Road, a venue with a rich history as a cinema, nightclub, and live music space. Garnering 249 excellent ratings and 75 terrible ones out of 671 reviews, it solidified its place as a top-tier Wetherspoon establishment.
The unexpected triumph of The Playfair in the CAMRA awards adds another layer to the vibrant tapestry of Edinburgh’s pub culture. It serves as a reminder that excellence in real ale extends beyond the confines of traditional and locally beloved establishments, highlighting the evolving landscape of the city’s pub scene.
As Edinburgh continues to be a haven for beer enthusiasts, with both longstanding favourites and newer contenders vying for the spotlight, the CAMRA awards underscore the importance of quality and consistency in serving the perfect pint. The Playfair’s victory stands as a testament to the diverse and dynamic nature of Edinburgh’s pub culture, where even unexpected contenders can emerge as champions in the pursuit of the perfect brew.
