"The Best 19th Hole" - St Andrews Edition

            A pint after a round (or 19^th hole) can add greatly to the overall experience. Unfortunately, in a new place, it can be a complete shot in the dark when choosing a place to enjoy the post-round pint. In this post, I will do my best to shed light on the pubs of St Andrews and the best place to relax and reminisce over the round! 

Whey Pat Tavern (#5)

11. Rascal’s

            Rascals Bar is the newest bar establishment in St Andrews. It is located on North Street next to the cinema. Rascal’s doesn’t fit into the “19^th hole” niche. It is more of a bar / night club hybrid, and despite decent prices, it wouldn't be the first place I would choose for a post-round pint.

**I recently went back to Rascals and had a very good lunch consisting of their hot wings and "French Burger." A new, extensive, and inexpensive burger menu along with pint / burger deals have bumped up Rascals in my book. My last visit changed my view on Rascals, and I will definitely be going back soon. They have the best prices in town as far as I know! 

10. Greyfriar’s

            Greyfriar’s is located on North Street and has the potential to be an excellent pub. Unfortunately, the management has made no effort to appeal to students and is solely interested in being a hotel bar. Prices are not exceptional and the bar staff were flat out unfriendly. The pub has multiple large TVs, which unfortunately face none of the seating. Despite comfortable couches and booths, if seated, there is no way to watch the game, match, or tournament! One positive is a great choice of beers from all around the world.

A cold Old Course stop halfway through the crawl!

9. The Rule & 8. Westport

            The Rule is a spacious and nice pub. Despite the top floor being closed most of the time, it has very comfortable couches. Great food and drink deals found at the Rule can’t be found elsewhere. The positives being said, the location on South Street and distance from the courses hurt The Rule’s “Best 19^th Hole” chances. Although it serves as a nice pub to have a meal or drink, the Rule simply doesn’t meet the criteria for a good 19^th hole.

            Westport has many of the same pitfalls as the Rule. Despite good food, good downstairs seating, and good drink prices, the poor proximity to the golf courses hurt its eligibility for victory.

7.  Criterion, 6. Drouthy Neebor & 5. Whey Pat

            These three pubs cater to local and older St Andreans. It is rare that you will see a group of students enjoying pints in any of these locations. Their distance from the course rules them out as excellent post-round pint options, but if looking for a nice quiet nightcap before heading back home, these are good options! The Whey Pat also does excellent nachos. They are inexpensive and include massive servings. A must-try if craving chili or nachos!

4. Dunvegan

            The Dunvegan is perhaps the most well known 19^th hole in St Andrews. They are famously “only a 9-iron from the 18^th green of the Old Course.” The atmosphere is unique with photos of famous golfers in the Dunvegan or meeting the owners. The owners are typically sitting in the bar talking with patrons connecting and making relationships. The only negative to the Dunvegan are some high priced items. During our visit, we had Irish coffees priced around 6 pounds 50 pence which hurt our pub crawl budget. When it comes to food and pints, the prices are competitive with other St Andrews establishments and overall, the banter and location of the Dunvegan are hard to beat. 

Inside the Dunvegan with tons of autographed and famous pictures

3. The Keys

            The pub-crawl was the first time I have ever visited the Keys. I hadn’t previously entered the Keys purely out of fear... It is unarguably a local’s pub and students are not welcomed (or so we thought). Immediately upon our entering, we found everyone to be extremely nice. The bartender let us try 4 glasses of whiskey before eventually buying a glass. The pub is small and warm. If the pub isn’t overflowing with St Andrews caddys and other locals, stop in for a post-round pint!

2. One Under

            The One Under Pub is directly beneath the Rusacks Hotel adjacent to the 18^th fairway of the Old Course. The atmosphere, prices, seating, and location are all excellent. The only reason the One Under Pub isn’t busier is the fact that it is literally in underground beneath the Rusacks.

1. Jigger

            The Jigger Inn is located just short of the 17^th green of the Old Course. It is the only pub that could beat out the Dunvegan in terms of fame. The Jigger has a very unique feel, and the outdoor seating directly beside the 17^th fairway is unbeatable (and also in danger of big hitters on 17 tee!). Prices are not great in the Jigger, but the location and atmosphere are second to none. It is a cozy warm pub where you want to settle in and spend all afternoon! Helpful tip: Order a burger if you go to the Jigger. It is expensive, but is the best burger in town and will take two people to finish! The Jigger Ale is also a great option for ale lovers.

Honorable Mention: (ie. Pubs we didn’t visit on our pub-crawl)

Blue Stane – Sports oriented, not the best post-round haunt.

Oak Rooms – Located on Market Street with good meal deals, but bad pint prices and few choices!

The Central -  An “English Pub”... Prices are not good and the pub is personally not on my list of favorites.

The Vic – The Vic has recently been re-done as a sort of night club / gastro pub... Not the best 19^th hole genre. There is no comfortable seating and the bar staff are rarely friendly.

Golf Place – Golf Place is the best-located pub in relation to the golf courses. It was one of my personal “go-to’s” but has recently changed ownership and the ambience and food have suffered... Not a favorite anymore.

Ma Bells – Ma Bells used to be my favorite pub in St Andrews. Unfortunately, the “cave” feeling with little-to-no natural light or cell service is a turn off. Prices and very mediocre food don’t help their case.