11 Best Bars, Live Music, and Nightclubs in Edinburgh

Spend your evening at one of these best bars, live music venues and nightclubs in Edinburgh. The Scottish capital boasts a wide variety of venues throughout the city centre and beyond, whether you seek an intimate space or something livelier.

You’ll find sophisticated bars with stylish décor, creating a superb setting to sip a classic cocktail or beer. Close by, live music venues and open-mic nights promise an opportunity to let your hair down and sing. There’s no shortage of nightclubs to kick on and dance into the early hours, either. Learn more on where to party at night in Edinburgh below.

1. Whistlebinkies

Where to watch Edinburgh’s finest home-grown talent

Ideal para: Alimentação, Vida noturna, Grupos

Whistlebinkies is a live music venue tucked away in the vaults beneath South Bridge, one of the main links from the Old Town to the south side of the city. This Edinburgh pub is a bit of an institution and has been keeping patrons happy for more than 3 decades.

Bands and performers are booked throughout the week, and there’s also a popular open-mic night each Monday if you’ve ever dreamed that you too could take the stage. With free entry and reasonably priced drinks, it’s the ideal place to come for an affordable night out in the Scottish capital.

Localização: 4-6 South Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1LL, UK

Abre: Monday–Thursday from 5 pm to 3 am, Friday and Saturday from 1 pm to 3 am, Sunday from 5 pm to midnight

Telefone: +44 (0)13 1557 5114

2. Pilgrim Bar

A fast-paced and fun city-centre bar

Ideal para: Alimentação, Vida noturna

Pilgrim Bar on central Cowgate in Edinburgh is well-known for its quirky décor. Salvaged pre-war cinema seats, a sofa clad in recycled denim jeans and a bar and tables fashioned from old suitcases create a trendy backpacker vibe.

You don’t have to be a student to hang out here, though if you carry a valid card they’ll knock 15% off your drinks bill. The quiz night here is quite possibly the biggest in the city, while their karaoke nights and tiki-themed discos are also hugely popular.

Localização: 3 Robertson’s Cl, Edinburgh EH1 1LY, UK

Abre: Tuesday – Friday and Sunday from 4 pm to 1 am, Saturday from 2 pm to 1 am (closed on Mondays)

Telefone: +44 (0)13 1557 3768

3. The Royal Oak

A storied pub known for its folk music gigs

Ideal para: História, Alimentação, Vida noturna

The Royal Oak is a small Edinburgh pub that can trace its story back more than 200 years. You’ll often hear traditional folk music at this intimate venue. On Friday and Saturday nights, it’s often standing room only as performers take the floor downstairs.

Head upstairs during the day for a more personal experience when singers play fee-free for the love of their craft (though tips are much appreciated). Regardless, make sure you listen attentively as here, they’re serious about their sounds and attract a music-loving crowd.

Localização: 1 Infirmary St, Edinburgh EH1 1LT, UK

Abre: Daily from 3 pm to 2 am

Telefone: +44 (0)13 1557 2976

4. SCOTCH Whisky Bar at the Balmoral Hotel

Enjoy a dram of premium whisky

Ideal para: Vida noturna

SCOTCH Whisky Bar at the Balmoral Hotel has passionate whiskey ambassadors who can help you to choose your perfect tipple. Seasoned experts or whisky beginners alike, all are welcome to savour “the water of life” over the brass and black granite bar in this warm and friendly environment. You can find over 500 unique varieties from distilleries in the Highlands, Lowlands, islands, and Speyside.

Tasting sessions can also be organised, where you can sample a selection from the ever-changing stock list of more than 500 whiskeys while sharing stories and tasting notes. No trip to Scotland would be complete without tasting one of the country’s most famous exports, and SCOTCH Whisky Bar is a great place to do it.

Localização: 1 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ, UK

Telefone: +44 (0)131 524 7142

5. McGonagall’s Gin & Whisky Emporium

Marvellous malts and bodacious botanicals

Ideal para: Alimentação, Vida noturna

McGonagall’s Gin & Whisky Emporium is one of a collection of venues owned by the Old Town Pub Co. As its name implies, this bar specialises in spirits, offering patrons a choice of more than 100 gins and a similar number of whiskies.

To sample a wider range of gins or whiskies, consider ordering a flight, which comes with background notes about each one. There’s also an extensive cocktail list if you wish to mix things up a bit – perhaps try a highland mule or a strawberry gin sour.

Localização: 49-50 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EJ, UK

Abre: Sunday–Thursday from noon to midnight, Friday and Saturday from noon to 1 am

Telefone: +44 (0)13 1226 2781

6. The Cocktail Mafia

A colourful cocktail bar with tropical decor

Ideal para: Alimentação, Vida noturna

The Cocktail Mafia is a tropical-themed bar in Edinburgh with stylised palm trees and a funky colour palette. Work your way through a selection of imaginatively named cocktails. Evoke the Caribbean with a rum-laden Man Goes for a Tropical Vacation or stick closer to home with the Glenfiddich-based Citizen Cane.

If that’s got your creative juices flowing, book a cocktail-making class with an expert mixologist. Before you know it you’ll be creating your own unique, stylish and flavoursome drinks with confidence.

Localização: 15 Charlotte Lane, Edinburgh EH2 4QZ, UK

Abre: Sunday–Friday from 5 pm to 1 am, Saturday from 2 pm to 1 am

Telefone: +44 (0)13 1629 1818

7. Ballie Ballerson Edinburgh

A ball pit and cocktails

Ideal para: Alimentação, Vida noturna

Ballie Ballerson Edinburgh is a place where adults can let their hair down and be kids again without forgoing a cocktail or 2. The main draw is a massive ball pit where you can stagger around and stage a ball fight with your mates.

When you’re ready to hit the dance floor, there’s no need to clamber out: just slide on down. If you need to pause for refreshments, you can munch on pizza and work your way through an extensive drinks list featuring cocktails and mocktails.

Localização: 14 Forrest Rd, Edinburgh EH1 2QN, UK

Abre: Wednesday–Monday from 6 pm to 1 am, Saturday from 4 pm to 1 am

Telefone: 14 Forrest Rd, Edinburgh EH1 2QN, UK

8. Sneaky Pete’s

A grassroots music venue in the heart of Edinburgh

Ideal para: Vida noturna

Sneaky Pete’s is a live music venue with a 100-strong capacity. Events cater for all regardless of gender, race or disability. Gigging musicians and bands fresh from the festival circuit perform for a young and energetic crowd.

Sneaky Pete’s isn’t just about concerts. It doubles as a nightclub and soul, garage, indie, and pop all feature on the programme. Nothing’s off the table. Retro tunes are given another spin and the hottest new DJs trial their sets in front of an enthusiastic audience.

Localização: 73 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JW, UK

Abre: Daily from 7 pm to 3 am

Telefone: +44 (0)13 1225 1757

9. The Jazz Bar

For celebrating jazz in all its forms

Ideal para: Vida noturna

The Jazz Bar is a popular Edinburgh venue that was the brainchild of late local drummer Bill Kyle. Bill originally performed at Cellar No. 1 but after a revamp ditched jazz in favour of DJs and rock bands, he decided to go it alone to follow his passion.

It turned out he didn’t need to – the crowd-funded piano is just one example of how making this place what it is today was a team effort. Today, jazz in all its forms is celebrated, from Afro-Cuban sounds with a Latin vibe to chilled-out acoustic sets featuring soulful vocals.

Localização: 1a Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1HR, UK

Abre: Monday from 7 pm to 12.30 am, Tuesday from 6 pm to 12.30 am, Wednesday–Friday and Sunday from 5 pm to 3 am, Saturday from 2 pm to 3 am

Telefone: +44 (0)13 1220 4298

10. Cabaret Voltaire

A basement cafe, bar and club

Ideal para: Alimentação, Vida noturna

Cabaret Voltaire is a versatile venue that combines a cafe, bar and club in Edinburgh. The lowkey cafe taps into a speakeasy vibe, an atmospheric space serving pizza together with cocktails and craft beers. Live DJs supply the tunes at weekends.

The club itself is one of Edinburgh’s top electronic music venues. Located underground, there’s a great atmosphere which attracts talented acts and DJs. Ideal for a group of friends, guests can rent a booth or a Pac-Man table to play retro arcade games.

Localização: 36-38 Blair St, Edinburgh EH1 1QR, UK

Abre: Daily from 11.30 am to 5 am

Telefone: +44 (0)13 1247 4704

11. The Mash House

A multi-level nightclub close to the Royal Mile

Ideal para: Vida noturna

The Mash House is a multipurpose event space in Edinburgh with a contemporary vibe. Features include exposed brick, wooden floors and modish lighting. Its primary function is as a nightclub, with regular sessions throughout the week. They feature top DJs and bands showcasing a variety of genres from rap to industrial techno.

This easily accessible city-centre space is a versatile one, however, and over 3 separate floors, it can accommodate other events and activities such as chess tournaments and dance classes.

Localização: 37 Guthrie St, Edinburgh EH1 1JQ, UK

Abre: Wednesday and Thursday from 10.30 pm to 3 am, Friday–Sunday from 7 pm to 3 am

Telefone: +44 (0)13 1220 2514

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