Walked in with two friends who were women, a member of staff made awkward comments at them about…read morehow "all women" think. I chose not to purchase from them and mentioned how this could contribute to a hostile atmosphere, got no apology and the proprietor did not seem to understand what they had done wrong. On mentioning my concerns via Facebook, they suggested it was my fault by using the phrase "sorry you felt that way", and did not apologise for having made my friends feel awkward. Another games store in Edinburgh were wonderful, welcoming, and treated my friends as equals instead of separate, and offered them hospitality. I hope that one day Games Hub's attitude improves and they show half the welcoming attitude I received elsewhere.

I'm a bit torn of adding another 5-star review to relatively unheard of Games Hub, but only for…read moreentirely selfish reasons. After just one visit there, I almost want to take Games Hub into my arms and say, "Shhhh, quiet now, you're my precious and no one must know of you" as I let out a sinister cackle. But truthfully, I feel duty-bound to talk about how great Games Hub is. Do you like board games? Do you sometimes wince at the price of said board games when seen in a store? Do you wish you could try them out before you buy them? If yes to any of these, you absolutely should scope out Games Hub. For the price of 2.50--yes, two pound fiddy--you get up to 10 hours of unlimited game-play. TEN HOURS! Sure, the actual gaming room is nothing fancy. It's moderately sizeable and certainly less-is-more with regards to decor. What you'll find is a pretty standard basement room divided by a row of double-sided bookshelves, but the shelves themselves are the real gem: boxes upon boxes of games, at least a hundred of them, surely! And among all the games we peered or delved into, all the pieces were intact and each game was clean and tidy as though it had just come out of the box. Even better. So when such a feast of board games awaits, a clean room with plenty of space for friends will happily suffice: that's really all you need, especially for the price. (Did I mention it's just two-fiddy?!) The only thing that would have made my evening at Games Hub better would have been to have a nice cold beer while exploring the games, but with that said, I can absolutely understand why no beers or nibbles are not allowed downstairs. Don't be thinkin' you can get your sticky old fingers all over the games, y'hear? (It is worth noting that there is a pub just across the street with excellent German brews, so you can quench your thirst easily after, just not during!) All in all, Games Hub is a surprisingly lovely gem to be found in Edinburgh if you have an interest in games. Keep up the good work, guys--I'll definitely be back!

Fountain Park is one of those soulless leisure complexes that is there to use up your hard earned…read morecash. There is a large Cineworld cinema, Pizza Hut, Nandos, a casino, Virgin Active health club, bars, bingo, bowling alley and a kiddies soft play center. I actually quite like Fountain Park because it is right on my doorstep and it has everything I need for an evening on entertainment. There is a large car park so you can drive here and if you use the cinema or other businesses your car park ticket is validated making the parking free. Free parking in Edinburgh is a bonus! You can go for something to eat and know what to expect in the chain restaurants before heading off to the cinema/bowling alley/casino. It's perhaps not as large as some of the out of town complexes you see in the likes of Glasgow, but it does have everything you need and something for everyone.

I have only been to Fountain Park once, for bowling. But I will return this afternoon to visit the…read moreCineworld. Anyway, I feel that this place is largely for the students living around this area as it has a massive Cineworld, a Pizza Hut, a Nando's and a Tenpin bowling alley among its facilities available. The place felt quite empty and depressing the last time I was in and there seemed to be a lot of empty space between the bowling alley and the cinema, with the main concourse functioning as an extended hallway to get between the two. There is an underground car park which is free for the first four hours but if you stay any longer than that, then you will have to pay money for every extra hour you stay there. I did like the bowling alley, and the Pizza Hut was pretty decent when we went to it so I suppose this place serves its purpose with one of the only casual bowling alleys in the Edinburgh area. I hope I will enjoy Cineworld as it seems significantly cheaper than Odeon and Vue.

Who cannot love a good old seaside amusement hall. I love these places, and this one is great, it…read morehas everything you would expect it to have. There's the dance machines, the motorbike arcade games, the slot machines, the frustrating 1p and 2p machine where the coins some how defy gravity and never fall off, air hockey machines and loads of other little games that keeps you entertained for hours, let alone any kids! The amusement hall is on the beach front and when it's warm an ice cream van parks up by it, offering lots of tempting treats. If you want to go for the full on traditional seaside experience, then about 5 minutes along the promenade, there's a whole series of fish and chips shops.

This is the last beach front arcade in Portabello and it is great. Such a throwback to being a kid…read moreand playing the penny falls machine and your hands being so grubby afterwards after handling all the coins! For me this is a fun, wet weather wee day out with my husband for a laugh. Yes the carpets are a little worn around the edges and yes it is a bit old fashioned, but plenty fun and you can get an ice cream too. Many of the machines give tickets rather than monetary prises and you then swap the tickets at their shop. Everything from toys to sweets.

I loved the look of this funky place from the start. It's dingy yet fun, with Polaroids everywhere…read moreand random fake vending machines. The bathroom walls have old timey porn on them. Again, love it. Service was so-so. Our server was incredibly (TOO) quick to come take our order, then we asked for a minute and he didn't come back for like 10-15 minutes. When we asked him for recommendations or even specific questions about drinks or ice cream flavors, he didn't have much of an opinion and wasn't particularly helpful. Eventually, I ordered The Devil cocktail, which I really enjoyed. That said, our party tried several of the boozy ice creams and they were all kind of... gross? Maybe that's an overstatement, but the alcohol far overpowered the ice cream flavors and ended up tasting almost medicinal. I wish I would've had more time to try some of their other cocktails -- maybe next time I'm in Edinburgh.

I heard speakeasy and owl and my mind was made up, I knew I had to come in and check this bar out…read more In true speakeasy form, it looks as if you are coming down the stairs to get your palm read. When you walk up to the fortune teller, you push her and the door opens into a rowdy room. Well, at least when we walked in it was fairly rowdy. We sat next to the group of about 15 young lads and they were causing a raucous. However, after one of their big songs during a shot, our server came up to them and told them if they didn't quiet down, she'd kick them out so I don't believe this place is supposed to be rowdy. After they left, the place did have a better ambiance. The vibe of this place is interesting with 50 shades of grey as wall paper in the bathroom and old movie theater seating against the wall with church pews as the other side. There is a lot to look at in there. The claw machine where you can built your drink is not rigged so you may lose a few pounds trying to get a drink. If you have old pounds, she likes 'em. The drinks were fantastic. And the ice cream was delicious. I'm not usually a fan of boozy ice cream (something about alcohol and cream turn me off) but the flavors in our whisky honeycomb were incredible. I wanted to try more cocktails but we had been drinking the whole day and I didn't want to be messy walking in a dark city I don't know. It caught up to me in the hotel room though. Thankfully, I didn't lose any of that delicious ice cream that night. ;)

Free entry at the National Museum of Scotland. Filled with rich history and interactive booths…read more There is a cafe with grab and go options and a gift shop too. The best photo op is the third floor balcony overlooking the atrium! Such a gorgeous spot and great option to get out of the rainy weather!

It's the museum on Chambers Street. The entrance is in the round tower that is across the street…read morefrom Greyfriars Bobby. You might as well rub his nose for good luck before crossing over. There is a beautiful & bright atrium in the heart of the museum. You can see all 4 floors from this spot as you look up from the first floor. There are galleries and exhibits all around it. We started our journey on the ground floor of the tower in the Kingdom of the Scots, and then worked our way up and over. It truly is the perfect place to go on a rainy morning. The best part is that it's free admission, but donations are always welcomed. There were many highlights for me. The Maiden that was used for public executions in Grassmarket, Mercat Cross, and Castlehill was certainly eerie to look at along with some of the torture devices used back in that period. The display of items belonging to Mary, Queen of Scots was presented beautifully. Especially that lovely jeweled necklace. The exhibits of the Americas was nicely done. I even saw a gut parka on display that was similar to one we saw in Alaska earlier this year. The displays of musical instruments and ceremonial dance costumes was vibrant & interesting. I was drawn to the Bloody Empire display. It was a very artistic expression of anarchism in the form of wallpaper. It's unique. I have to say the same thing about the Slit Gong musical instrument that is said to bring out the voices of a dead ancestor. Very creepy stuff! The subject matter lightened up a bit as we walked through the technology & industry part of the museum. It was cool to see "The Hawk" as well as the display of bicycles and phones (including a Mickey Mouse one). But, I think the best part was the spectacular view of Edinburgh from the open rooftop. It would have been better on a sunny day, but it was still a great sight to see. It's worth taking those outdoor spiral steps up to see it. I love that there's a mini garden with upland grasses and plants along the lookout walls of the roof. A nice little touch. We spent about 2 hours here, but could have easily stayed longer. There's a balcony café on what is technically the 3rd floor of the building (2nd floor when looking up from the main atrium). There is a fee-based exhibit called "Monkeys Our Primate Family" that may be of interest to some. It ends on 30 Nov 2025. Overall, the museum is great fun for all ages. It's a great way to learn more about the Scottish innovators throughout history.

Been sat on the toilet for 20 minutes waiting for toilet roll cos there isn't any. Asked my…read moregirlfriend to tell reception and they said they would send someone. 20 minutes I've been waiting so far

Always a good giggle going bowling. Especially if you have a group of friends and you play in…read moreteams. My biggest complaint is that it is so extortionately expensive...for 3 games, 2 adults, was over £40...on a Monday night! I know that they have some deals (I think Tuesday), but seriously. That's a bit silly. Not to mention food and drink are pricey as well. Looking at the menu (I was starved and slightly squiffy) I was hoping to order something relatively healthy. Unfortunately it's the typical fast food, microwave, deep fryer stuff. Not very satisfying and most likely would leave a greasy film on the roof of your mouth. I decided not to order anything and stuck to wine. Which did NOT improve my bowling as I had hoped it would. Overall, a fun night. Games afterwards are always a giggle, so it's nice that they have such a selection of things to do. They also have pool and ping pong tables. I've not actually used those yet, but I imagine they will be between £1-£3 per game.

I think the review(s) so far show this place to be a marmite venue, you either hate it or embrace…read moreit's full force and enjoy! Decor, attitude and clientele definitely makes this one of the closest to a true American dive bar feel I've found outside the US in a long time. Themed around 1980s board and computer games, giant mousetrap, snakes'n'ladders and operation references grace the walls, along with duck hunt and pacman! The staff seemed to have an endless energy, every spin of the 'random shot generator' wheel behind the bar resulted in the entire pub cheers and shouts. Cocktails, despite being only £3 a time were tasty and balanced, even if some feel like its the result of a sweet shop falling into a blender, sugar overload! Couple of good beers on tap, usual Edinburgh prices. 4 or so staff on duty so service was fairly quick and friendly. Everyone seemed welcome, from those in rock t-shirts and baseball caps to those in shirts and dresses at the end/start of a night on the town. Regardless of your first impression from the outside give it a shot, just aim for a busy night to really experience it. I've only been once, and after this review I really hope it wasn't a one off as my friend and I agreed we shall certainly be back!

If you're down Leith Walk, and looking for a friendly pub, the Mousetrap comes highly recommended…read more A good selection of drinks, nibbles, eclectic decor make this well worth checking out!

Edinburgh Castle is the most visited attraction in Scotland, welcoming over 1.3 million visitors…read moreeach year who come in search of views, royal history, and a glimpse at the 'Honours of Scotland' - Britain's oldest crown jewels. Edinburgh Castle is not only the dominant feature of the city's skyline, visible from miles around, it's also the feature which gives the city its name -- the old Gaelic name translates roughly as 'the fort on the hill'. trust me, you might underestimate this castle, and even i have kept 2 hrs for this, but it needs more time. With several museums, a large war memorial, a royal palace, a Great Hall & several other little stops/activities, if you want to actually see all of Edinburgh Castle's sights and attractions, you'll need much more than two hours... especially considering the line to see the Honours of Scotland (AKA the Crown Jewels) can last 20+ minutes. * Three regimental military museums * The National War Museum * The Scottish National War Memorial * The Honours of Scotland, featuring the Scottish crown jewels and Stone of Destiny * St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh * Optional 30-minute introductory tours available throughout the day * Prisons of War exhibition * The Great Hall where banquets were held * The One O'Clock Gun, fired every day (except Sunday) at 1pm * Visit the small antechamber where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son, James VI of Scotland * Three gift shops and two cafes The oldest surviving structure at the castle (and the oldest in the city) dates back to the 12th century. It is of course St Margaret's Chapel, built by King David I in honour of his mother. This same king is the one credited with turning Edinburgh Castle into a royal residence. As the years rolled on, royals came and went, with new additions being made to the castle, creating the complex we see today. The Renaissance of the 1400s for instance brought us the Royal Palace that now houses various royal paintings and displays (including THE closet where Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI of Scotland, AKA King James I of England). The 1500s brought us the Great Hall, which was needed of course for fancy banquets. The 1600s brought new defences and barracks as the castle eased into its role of a military outpost more than swanky royal digs Tickets to Edinburgh Castle should be booked online before you arrive. Tip: these spots across the city offers great view of the castle- Calton Hill, The Grassmarket, Salisbury Crags, Castle Esplanade, Ross Fountain, St Cuthbert's Churchyard, The Vennel

Must-visit if you're in Edinburgh…read more We had reserved tickets to get in, and got lucky as it was a beautiful day, sandwiched between dreary rainy ones which are more common in this part of Great Britain. We enjoyed the history, the magnificent views of old and new town sprawled below us and the Firth of Forth beyond, the museum, and the One-O-Clock gun! Pro-tip: Book a late morning entry time so you can be there at 1 pm for the gun, duck indoors into the museum or gift shop if it rains, and dress in layers, as the weather can change in minutes.

Shocking is the best wau to describe this place, especially if you have a party. It is so…read moredisorganised, there was no one to tell you where to go or what to do, we had to wait at least 30-45 mins to go into the party room because they hadnt set up yet and there were no special features for the birthday girl like a special seat or a character that comes to sing happy birthday. Party game was musical statues but had to be abandoned because the CD player kept jumping. The party food was simply greasy pizza that hadnt been cut up, chips and crisps. It was so disorganised, unprofessional and utterly shambolic. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

So big! Too big! My eldest is 3 and there is no way on earth you could keep an eye on them from a…read moretable down below. Impossible. Especially if you like to give them some sense of independence. We moved to a smaller area that was considered more contained...somehow two of the kids managed to slip past us! It's a great place to go if your kids are older than 5 I would say...they have no real system for monitoring who is coming and going with kids which to me is a big scary deal. Anyone could leave with a child. There appears to be no policy to ensure that that child is meant to be with the person they are leaving with. Given that my son managed to give us the slip makes the thought of what could happen here not worth bearing. The food is average. And it is kept to a moderate standard of cleanliness. I don't think I'll be going back until the kids are older.