Review: The Chanter, a City Centre Sports Bar

The Chanter sits on Bread Street, just a moment’s walk from the busy Lothian Road. The first time I visited, I had booked a table at short notice via OpenTable, looking for a restaurant near the Filmhouse.

Despite walking down Bread Street countless times, I had managed to completely miss the fact that The Chanter is not really a restaurant. It is, in fact, a traditional sports bar. This is not my usual scene, but I was saved on that first visit by a craft burger that was large, tasty, and arrived very promptly. It was cost-effective, and I even found a local beer on tap.

The Venue and Ambience

Make no mistake, this is a sports bar through and through. Screens are everywhere, and it can be quite noisy when a game is on. I would not recommend The Chanter for a quiet chat or a business meal.

However, the venue is not just one large, open room. It is broken up into several smaller “nooks” and sub-rooms. This layout really helps keep noise from echoing and provides a bit of privacy.

If you are out with a group of people after work, you can often take over one of these nooks for yourselves. It creates a fun, semi-private area to relax in.

Food and Ordering

The food has generally been pretty good. The merits are clear: it is a fantastic location, just slightly off the beaten track, so you do not get the worst of a Friday night rush (though it does get busy).

My favourites are the mac and cheese variations, which can be ordered with various meats and are very tasty. I do, however, feel the bowls they are served in are deceptive. They look large, but you hit the bottom very quickly. I am not sure if it is just clever psychology, but I feel a little bit cheated.

More recently, my main issue has been with the ordering system. I am a fan of ordering via a QR code, as I am often a solo eater. It is hard to leave a bag or coat to guard a table while you go to the bar to order.

Unfortunately, I have found The Chanter’s online menu to be a pale imitation of their actual menu. Many items are missing or marked as “sold out” when they are available in person. This can be frustrating and defeats the convenience of the system.

Things to do in the City Centre

The Chanter’s location is its strong point, as it places you near many West End and City Centre attractions. It is ideal for a bite before a screening at the nearby Odeon Lothian Road or the Cameo Cinema. The Usher Hall is also just a short walk away.

Transport is simple. The area is a major hub for Lothian Buses, and it is a short walk to Haymarket station for rail services from TheTrainLine.

Overall

The Chanter is exactly what it presents itself to be: a reliable, well-located sports bar. The food is decent pub grub, the drinks range is broad enough for most, and the partitioned layout is a plus.

There is nothing remarkable on the menu, but it delivers on value and convenience. If I had to go to a sports bar, as I have demonstrated by going back, The Chanter is one of the few I would consider.