Brewhemia, Bothy

Its one of the biggest venues im Edinburgh, in the heart of old town. For that, it is both unique and can get a bit "empty" and not so cosy. The live music room could be toned down a bit when not super busy. The band was a bit meh. No vibe and impossible to have a chat like that. Beer selection is good. Food was ok. The pie was awesome. The pork belly was a bit tough and was nothing special. I liked the rueben croquettes. The spätzle was just super disappointing. Portions are on the small size. Prices are just ridicoulously high. Seems they are attempting to be fancy/avant garde, when German/alpine/British cuisine is all about comfort. Service was okish, maybe. Music hall bartender seemed lost or did not speak English properly. Waiters changed all the time. My beer waited some 5 minutes staring at me on the bar until someone finally decided to serve it while the bartender and a manager had a long chat. "Quiete" area waitress was super nice and maybe more attentious than I would've liked to, borderline rushing us from step to step, which was weird bc the place was empty. I think I told her some 5 times we wanted to have starters and order later on, she kept coming back for mains. She didnt know anything about what was on tap and served one of the rounds with something else other than we ordered. Smiley but not genuine. All and all the while experience felt impersonal, expensive and characterless. Its a shame bc I like the idea of the place, but execution is lacking.