The Oxford Bar

The Oxford Bar is a small traditional pub at 8 Young Street in Edinburgh's New Town, Scotland, on a quiet back street near George Street and Charlotte Square. It is best known for its literary connection: it is the regular drinking spot of Inspector Rebus, the detective in Ian Rankin's crime novels, and the pub has become a stop for readers of the series. The signature order is simply a pint and a dram, as the pub is about drinks and conversation, not about dining. The interior is tiny and plain, with a front bar and a small back room, and the atmosphere is that of an unpretentious local, where regulars, office workers and literary visitors share the space. There is no music to speak of, noise stays at the level of conversation, and the room becomes cramped when busy. There is no dress code. A pint costs roughly £5-£6 (~$7-$8) and drams start from about £5. The pub does not take reservations, so it operates as a walk-in venue, and space is easiest to find in the afternoon or early evening on weekdays. It is open daily from midday to late, though visitors should verify times on the website. Young Street sits a few minutes' walk from the west end of George Street and the Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour routes, which makes the bar easy to combine with a New Town stroll, and its position away from the main tourist streets keeps it closer to a neighbourhood pub than many in the centre.