A Tour of Edinburgh Nightlife

Edinburgh is a vibrant city with a nightlife to match and if you are planning a trip here then you will find you are spoiled for choice when it comes to pubs, bars and clubs in which to drink and dance the night away. If you prefer something a little different then there are theatres and jazz clubs, live music venues and late night restaurants where you can get the most out of every hour of your stay in the city.  If you’re looking for some guidance on how to plan a night out then you might want to browse this quick fire tour of Edinburgh nightlife.

Bars and Pubs in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has a seriously good drinking scene and the kind of wide range of establishments that you might expect to find in a city much larger than this. If you’re a student travelling to the city then you will find plenty of freebies and drinks promotions on offer – there are five universities in Edinburgh so they are used to penniless students here!  Pubs like Biddy Mulligan’s are popular with students and run regular ‘band-aoke’ nights that make for an interesting experience! (http://www.biddymulligansbar.com).   If you are looking for something a bit cooler then head to the Opal Lounge (http://www.opallounge.co.uk) for a sophisticated cocktail or the contemporary Barony Bar on Broughton Street.  Cocktail fans will also enjoy the Dragonfly (http://www.dragonflycocktailbar.com) and for a funky start to your night, head to Candy Bar on George Street (http://www.candybaredinburgh.co.uk).  If you’re looking for a bar in the heart of Edinburgh’s ‘pink triangle’ then GHQ is a sleek and stylish option (http://www.socialanimal.co.uk/GHQ).

Clubbing in Edinburgh

There’s a huge range of clubbing options in Edinburgh, whether you’re looking for a night of cheesy hits, some underground beats or big name dance DJs.  It’s often a good idea to show up around midnight for a club you really want to get into or you could find yourself queuing for hours. The Hive is the newer incarnation of the legendary Honeycomb Club (http://www.clubhive.ning.com) and offers a selection of chart, punk, RnB and indie, as well as student nights every week. The Liquid Rooms (http://www.liquidroom.com) has hosted some very well known DJs, including Deadmau5 and Calvin Harris, as well as bands such as the Klaxons, MGMT and Glasvegas.  Lola Lo (http://www.lolaloedinburgh.com) (formerly Po Na Na) offers chart, DnB, electro and dubstep in a glam style and Sin Club & Lounge (http://www.club-sin.com) is located in a former church and offers great tunes and cheap drinks.

Live Music and Jazz in Edinburgh

If you’re not keen on packed clubs and bars, or you prefer your music live, then there are plenty of places where you can get your fill of fabulous sounds.  The Jazz Bar (http://www.thejazzbar.co.uk) has a constant stream of jazz on tap and for old school jazz beats there’s Eighty Queen Street (http://www.eighty-queen-street.com).  If you like live music then you’ll be spoiled for choice here as Edinburgh gets all the big name bands and acts, as well as having a number of smaller, more intimate gig venues where you can discover up and coming talent.

Cabaret Voltaire (http://www.thecabaretvoltaire.com) puts on more than 30 gigs a month and has a wide selection of well know and undiscovered names. The HMV Picture House (venues.meanfiddler.com/hmv-picture-house/home) has a capacity of 1,500 and is the best place to see big name bands. Then there’s The Jam House, an old BBC studio with live music in a slightly more sedate setting.  If you want to find many of the smaller venues, it’s quite a good idea to just set out for an area like Cowgate, Grassmarket, Princes Street or George Street and see where the night takes you.

So whether you're planning a weekend in Edinburgh or just a night out there's plenty to keep you entertained in this vibrant European hotspot.

Amy blogs for Easyjet who operate flights to Edinburgh from London, Belfast and Bristol.