Guildford Arms

Purpose-built in 1902 and with an elaborate façade, this is always reliable for well kept and unusual ales. The interior is opulently excessive with ornate painted plasterwork, dark mahogany fittings, heavy swagged velvet curtains at the huge arched windows and a busy patterned carpet. Served by knowledgeable, efficient staff, the fine range of ten quickly changing beers might include Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Fyne Avalanche, Harviestoun Bitter & Twisted, and Orkney Dark Island with guests like Atlas (Orkney) Golden Amber, Blue Monkey BG Sips, Dancing Duck Gold, Isle of Skye Black Cuillin, Spire Dark Side of the Moon, and a beer from Stewarts on handpump; there are regular beer festivals. Also, a good range of wines by the glass and two dozen or so malt whiskies; board games, TV, a silent fruit machine, piped music. The snug little upstairs gallery restaurant, with strongly contrasting modern décor, gives a fine dress-circle view of the main bar (notice the lovely old mirror decorated with two tigers on the way up).