TL;DR: I found this pub immediately (within seconds) aggressive and unwelcoming to outsiders, and the staff rude and cruel on that fact. I highly recommend young travellers, individuals and LGBT persons avoid this pub.
This evening, I was walking down towards Newhaven as I have done dozens of times, and looked in through the windows and seen a cozy-looking traditional Scottish pub, and due to the unpredictable state of Scottish Weather had been caught in a more powerful rain storm than I had anticipated. Needless to say, I had been soaked through a coat and 2 other layers,, hat and scarf to the skin and was utterly miserable. During the walk I had been unable to smoke due to the weather, and having seen a smoker outside this pub every single time I had passed, I thought I might perhaps take refuge, enjoy a pint or half-pint and take advantage of the outside coverings and have a cigarette to break up my dreadful journey on foot.
At this moment I should point out that this is clearly a traditional, generally what is considered a "men"s pub" and I am a 27 year old, Leith-born-and-bred guy but who might be considered effeminate, but I didn't think that this would actually matter considering how long I intended to spend inside,
As I entered the pub, I moved to the closest seat, and before my glasses began to steam up (on top of the considerable rain) I decided I should first roll the cigarette for later before I can barely see, as the pub was quite warm, to my significant satisfaction. Without exaggeration, I had been sitting down less than 10 seconds, before the blonde barmaid came storming around the counter towards me demanding, "What do you think you're doing?" At first, I was disarmed and quite confused, replying, "Taking refuge from the rain" which she glared at me for and repeated her request.
I had been intending to sit here for a while from the rain, maybe having a pint while I read a book in my bag and warming up. From her intensely angry and offensive reaction, I knew I, as an outsider, was not welcome here. She was highly aggressive and unwelcoming, so I simply replied, "Well I was hoping to take refuge from the rain for a few moments at least, and maybe roll a cigarette while I was here" - something I had SEEN people doing through the window before, customer or no is not known to me.
Her: "Well you should have asked first."
Me: "I didn't think that was necessary in a pub, permission to sit down."
Her:"Well you SHOULD'VE asked."
Me: "Well I am sorry, I just wanted a little respite from the rain. I didn't think it was worth your attention."
Her: "You're a cheeky wee son of a bitch" (under her breath)
This is an example of an unwelcoming, cliquey pub in Leith. I grew up with an uncle who once played for Hearts taking me to various random pubs on walks and outings where I sat and listened to the people. I saw pubs like this, and I never thought as an adult I'd actually see one, but now I have.
If you're a traveller, a random or LGBT, I highly recommend you avoid the unwelcoming atmosphere and staff. read more