Away Day Guide: Hibernian - What to do, where to drink & what to expect!

Getting There

Direct trains depart from Newcastle to Edinburgh Waverley almost every 15 minutes and they’re usually cheap as cheesy chips. From Waverley it’s about a 20-minute walk to the ground, or you could jump in a taxi outside the station for a few quid.

If you’re driving up then the recommended route is via the A1 (North) following signs for Portobello on the approach to Edinburgh. Take the first exit for City Centre (A1140) at the third roundabout and travel via Portobello Road, Jock's Lodge, (rejoin A1), Meadowbank or London Road, into Easter Road, Albion Road or Bothwell St (Footbridge) to the stadium. The stadium is in the north-east part of Edinburgh.

There is street parking available around Easter Road but just watch out you don't get stuck in a resident's only area.

Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Pubs

It's pre-season, it's summer, it's Edinburgh, it's time for a good drinking session, so here’s a selection of bars that will help wet the whistle.

If you fancy a pint as soon as you get off the train, you’ll find The Booking Office on Waverley Bridge - right by the station. This is a pretty central location and sits in-between the Royal Mile and Princes Street for those of you familiar with Auld Reekie. From here it's about a 30-minute walk to the ground or 10 minutes in a taxi.

If you fancy drinking a little closer to the stadium there are bars situated at the top of Easter Road (actual road, not stadium) and running from London Road down as far as Albion Road which are generally used by visiting fans. The Middleton Bar is a great little pub, but The Mash Tun on Easter Road would be my choice for a few bevvies before watching the Lads. Further down Easter Road Four in Hand and The Office are decent choices.

If you're a lucky so and so and spending the weekend in Edinburgh then there are plenty of pubs and clubs to keep you thoroughly entertained. Swing by the popular city centre haunt of the Devil’s Advocate, or go to the famous Bow Bar where there are over 230 malt whiskies, eight cask ales and an impressive selection of bottled beers, it would be rude not to.

What else can I do?

You’re in the capital of Scotland and it's a hive of events and things to do, despite the Edinburgh Fringe and Military Tattoo still being a month or so away.

The Stand Comedy Club has a fantastic flagship night called The Saturday Show. Five different acts are on every bill including top drawer resident comperes and the best headliners from the UK and abroad; the show has been sold out every Saturday for five years in a row, although if you’re only there on the Sunday night they also do The Sunday Night Laugh In which is dedicated to local acts.

If you’re wanting to make a weekend of it, you can always explore the old streets of Edinburgh and eat at some amazing restaurants - I would heartily recommend Henderson’s on Hanover Street - to suit every tastebud. Both the Scotch Whisky Experience and the Gin Distillery are an absolute must, both do guided tours with some tasting too.

Then, of course, there is that git big castle you could wander around for £18.

The Stadium

Easter Road has a capacity of 20,421 which makes it one of the larger grounds in Scotland. The stadium has been quite heavily rebuilt over the last 20 years, with most of the ground seeing a makeover of some description; however, when the Hibees pack the ground out the atmosphere is electric.

Away fans are usually housed in the South Stand lower tier, although the full South Stand is given depending on demand.

Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images

The latest addition is the new East Stand which was opened in August 2010. This 6,500 capacity all seated stand is single tiered and is quite steep keeping fans close to the playing action. Opposite is the impressive looking West Stand, which was opened in 2001. Although the same height as the East Stand, it is two tiered and contains the tunnel and dugouts. Its upper tier is much steeper than the lower, with a gap between housing corporate hospitality facilities.

In all it’s a decent stadium in a class city, and you’ll have a canny little away day to boot, just don't let the football ruin it.

Tickets

Tickets are still available from safc.com and you can pay on the day. Prices are £20 adults and £10 from over-65s, under-18 and full-time students.