O'Neills Edinburgh

You'll find this sprawling Irish boozer smack in the middle of Hunter Square, literally a stone's throw from the Royal Mile madness. It's the kind of place that knows exactly what it is – a proper chain pub that doesn't try to be anything fancier, and frankly does it well enough that you won't mind. The interior hits all the expected notes: dark wood, Guinness memorabilia, and enough TVs showing the match to keep everyone happy. What sets it apart from other tourist traps in this part of the Old Town is that it actually pulls a decent pint and the kitchen turns out solid pub classics that won't leave you questioning your life choices. The staff move with the kind of efficiency you need when dealing with pre-theatre crowds and stag dos in equal measure.