An Ode to Brass Monkey

On this the early morning of my 5 month anniversary in Edinburgh, I have decided to write about one of my favorite places in the city: Brass Monkey.

Brass Monkey is located on Drummond Street just off of South Bridge, a stone’s throw from the National Museum and the Royal High School. It looks like it is just a normal Edinburgh pub: a dark wooden bar as you walk inside, tall stools, and a few tables at the back. You might think it’s a bit quirky if you visit the uni-sex toilets, but the real reason Brass Monkey is a special place is because of its cinema room. The side room has a 2-foot raised platform that is- I would guess- 10 x 15 feet, and it is covered in futon mattresses. The edges are lined with pillows, turning the room into a giant bed. Every day at 3:00pm, they play a “cult movie” on the projector. The movie is chosen by the viewers, so if you are lucky enough to get there first, you can have a say in which movie gets played that day.

I frequent Brass Monkey on the weekends. Kate and I went today and were surrounded by snuggling couples, and the movie to celebrate Valentine’s Day was True Romance: a shoot-em-up Christian Slater movie. I loved it.

Other movies played there: Dirty Dancing, Good Will Hunting, The Professional, Seven, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, A Clockwork Orange, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Amelie, etc. Love it.

Since today does mark five months in Edinburgh, it simultaneously marks only one month remaining. Am currently in the process of planning European excursions. Will post an itinerary… when Anna and I finally decide what exactly we are doing.

I have 10 days left at work. Yes, I am counting. Yes, it is that bad. I won’t post on it now because people who speak honestly about the horrid situations going on at St. Raphael’s Care Home are mysteriously disappearing, not in a mafia disappearance act, but in a sacked and escorted off the premises kind of way. Not kidding. Here’s an article written about it.

Another update to come soon.

Peace, love, and Edinburgh.