Nightlife in Edinburgh
Edinburgh's bars range from decadent cocktail lounges to traditional old pubs. Ecco Vino in the Old Town specialises in fine wines, while Sandy Bell's pub is full of local characters. Enjoy music at The Jazz Bar in the Old Town, or book tickets for classical concerts at Usher Hall. The Edinburgh Playhouse in Leith has regular musicals, and art house films show at The Filmhouse.
The Port O' Leith Bar
Nautical-themed pub
Scotch whisky is in plentiful supply at the legendary Port O' Leith Bar in
Leith. The decor is an over-the-top collection of flags and nautical
paraphernalia. Many local characters drink here: chat to them to hear a tale
or two.
E-mail this item
Address
58, Constitution Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6RS
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 554 3568
Transport
Bus 22 or 36 - tram works may cause disruption
Café Royal Circle Bar
Grande dame of bars
One of Edinburgh's oldest pubs, Café Royal Circle Bar is tucked away in a
small New Town street. A traditional Victorian pub with wooden bar and
tile-pictures of inventors, this is a relaxing place to enjoy a pint of
ale.
E-mail this item
Address
19, West Register Street, New Town, Edinburgh EH2 2AA
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 5561 884
Transport
Bus 23, 24, 27, 36, 41, 42, 45 or 67 - tram works may cause disruption
Website
Oloroso
Cocktails with a view
Edinburgh's beautiful people gather to eat and drink at Oloroso. The roof
terrace, which provides views of the castle on one side and the Firth of
Forth and Fife on the other, is a particularly special place to sip a
cocktail.
E-mail this item
Address
33, Castle Street, Edinburgh EH2 3DN
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 226 7614
Transport
Bus 1, 3, 10, 11, 15, 15A, 16, 19, 22, 25, 31, 33, 34 or 36 - tram works may cause disruption
Website
Ecco Vino
Fine wine
Ecco Vino is a simple enoteca in the Old Town's steepest street, just off the
Royal Mile. More than 50 kinds of Old and New-World wines line the walls.
There's also a traditional Italian menu that includes antipasti, pasta and
salads, making it an attractive choice for relaxed dinners and drinks.
E-mail this item
Address
19, Cockburn Street, Old Town, Edinburgh EH1 1BP
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 2251 441
Transport
Bus 23, 24, 27, 36, 41, 42, 45 or 67 - tram works may cause disruption
Website
99 Hanover Street
Cocktails and silent movies
99 Hanover Street is one of the New Town's most relaxed bars. Rococo-style
decor and a screen showing silent movies make it a good place to meet
friends. There is an extensive cocktail list, and DJs and live music
regularly.
E-mail this item
Address
99, Hanover Street, New Town, Edinburgh EH2 1DJ
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 225 8200
Sandy Bell's
Meet the locals
Sandy Bell's is a landmark pub in the Old Town. It might be small but it's
full of character. Gaelic overtones, warm vibes and good beer make it a
favourite with locals. There's live music almost every night and at
weekends.
E-mail this item
Address
25, Forrest Road, Old Town, Edinburgh EH1 2QH
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 225 2751
Transport
Bus 23, 27 or 45 - tram works may cause disruption
Espionage
Late-night party
Espionage is a large club spread over five floors, just off the Grassmarket
in the Old Town. Open until late, it has themed rooms such as the Lizard
Lounge and Kasbar. The lower floors can get busy when the student
crowd arrives.
E-mail this item
Address
4, India Buildings, Victoria Street, Old Town, Edinburgh EH1 2EX
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 4777 007
Po Na Na
African-themed clubbing
Located just off George Street, Po Na Na is designed to look like a Moroccan
casbah thanks to wall mosaics, brass lanterns and artifacts shipped in from
Marrakech. Expect hip-hop and funk or disco and sounds of the '80s.
E-mail this item
Address
43b, Frederick Street, Edinburgh EH2 1EP
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 226 2224
The Bongo Club
Alternative rhythms
The Bongo Club is a multi-arts venue in the Old Town with regular dance music
and punk nights, salsa and swing dance classes, as well as a café and
exhibitions. There are also comedy acts here during the Edinburgh
Festival.
E-mail this item
Address
37, Holyrood Road, Old Town, Edinburgh EH8 8BA
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 558 7604
Edinburgh Festival Theatre
Performing arts venue
Edinburgh Festival Theatre presents large-scale productions of modern dance,
ballet, musicals and internationally renowned theatrical productions. The
plush old King's Theatre also comes under the Festival City Theatres Trust
and is located in Leven Street.
E-mail this item
Address
13-29, Nicolson St, Edinburgh EH8 9FT
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 529 6000
Transport
Bus 2, 14, 30, 48 or 48X - tram works may cause disruption
Website
Usher Hall
Concert hall
Usher Hall on Lothian Road is Edinburgh's premier concert venue and is being
refurbished into a grander version of itself. In August 2008 it reopened to
continue its hosting of world-class classical, jazz and rock music and
Edinburgh festival events.
E-mail this item
Address
Lothian Rd, Edinburgh EH1 2EA
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 228 1155 (box office)
Transport
Bus 1, 10, 11, 15, 15A, 16, 22, 30 or 34 - tram works may cause disruption
Website
Edinburgh Playhouse
Major musicals
The Belle Epoque Edinburgh Playhouse in Leith remains true to its origins as
a variety theatre. This is the place to see blockbuster musicals such as
Chicago or Mary Poppins, as well as Russian ballet, rock
concerts and opera.
E-mail this item
Address
18-22, Greenside Place, Leith, New Town, Edinburgh EH1 3AA
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 5243 333
Transport
Bus 1, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 15A, 16, 19, 22, 25, 26, 34, 44, 45 or 49 - tram works may cause disruption
Website
The Jazz Bar
Live jazz and soul
The intimate, relaxed Jazz Bar in the Old Town is Edinburgh's only dedicated
jazz venue. Opened by jazz musician and organiser Bill Kyle in 2005, it has
a varied programme of DJs and live jazz and soul every night.
E-mail this item
Address
1A, Chambers Street, Old Town, Edinburgh EH1 1HR
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 2204 298
The Filmhouse
Arthouse cinema
The Filmhouse on Lothian Rd is an Edinburgh institution. Along with
blockbusters, the cinema programmes arthouse film, mini film festivals and
the summer International Film Festival. There's also a good selection of
DVDs for sale here.
E-mail this item
Address
88, Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH3 9BZ
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 228 6382
Transport
Bus 1, 10, 11, 15, 15A, 16, 22, 30 or 34 - tram works may cause disruption
Website
The Stand
Comedy club
Edinburgh's most convivial comedy venue, The Stand in the New Town is a good
choice for a relaxed night of comedy and drinks. The weekends are crowded,
noisy and fun, while Wednesday and Thursday nights are more experimental,
with improvisation and sketches.
E-mail this item
Address
5, York Place, New Town, Edinburgh EH1 3EB
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 558 7272
