The Admiral

On Waterloo Street, just off the border of your waking mind, there lies The Admiral. Coming out of Central Station's Hope Street exit and along a few blocks you'll be in a sort of quasi land; mostly office blocks and the like, but it's an area on the up. The Admiral has just changed hands, bringing it to your attention and mine, and bringing with it the realization that it's a great wee boozer. With the increasing popularity of traditional pubs it's nice to find an actual bone fide one, with cheap drinks and an absolutely 100% unpretentious crowd. It's spacious, and with unpredictably good music and the comfort of a lounge, you can't help but melt in. It looks and feels like the belly of a cantankerously pleasant old ship, and with a pre-emptive semi-smoking ban it sure helps that punishing new year's resolution. Gallus. [Fraser Cardow]