Edinburgh Nightlife

Edinburgh is home to a choice of nightlife venues with a wide range of bars and clubs both basic and trendy, all types of pubs and restaurants of all cuisines that suit a range of budgets. The city does come alive at night and its nightlife is testament of this. The city is an energetic one, locals have a sense of fun enjoying a good night out. The city attracts many visitors with its vibrant, dynamic nightlife. The range of nightlife available in Edinburgh means there is something to suit most tastes including clubs, niche and specialist clubs, traditional bars, contemporary and themed bars.

Our quick guide to Edinburgh’s nightlife outlines some bars and clubs worth considering:

Edinburgh Bars & Pubs

Tonic Bar Edinburgh is a stylish bar and restaurant located on North Castle Street next to George Street. The stylish bar has been established for over a decade and has built up a fine reputation as a cutting edge bar. The bar is located in the basement and has a retro inspired interior with chrome, white, burgundy and mahogany. The bar offers a choice of drinks including soft drinks, beers, wines, spirits, champagnes and a choice of cocktails. The main a la carte menu includes a choice of light bites, salads, sandwiches, mains including fish, chicken and vegetarian options. The bar is known for its good service and cool vibe.

Dragonfly Cocktail Bar is located in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town close to the Grassmarket. The independent cocktail bar is known for its extensive choice of cocktails mixing spirits with fruits and juices. The bar includes top DJs spinning tunes at weekends playing a range of music genres. Inside the bar is stylish and comfortable and is designed in a contemporary style. For guests that require some food, pizzas are available to order. The bar enjoys a relaxed atmosphere making it a great place to catch up with family, friends and colleagues.

The Cumberland Bar is a traditional pub located on Cumberland Street in Edinburgh’s New Town. The pub it known for its friendly atmosphere and warm welcome, visitors can experience the feel and atmosphere of a real Scottish pub here. The pub is decorated and furnished in traditional style with period features such as a real fire; visitors can enjoy real ales, wines, and spirits including whiskeys, beers and soft drinks. The pub serves a choice of pub food including fresh battered haddock, beef and Guinness pie and a choice of salads, sandwiches, wraps and light bites. There is also a beer garden here guests can enjoy eating and drinking al fresco weather permitting.

The Jazz Bar is located on Chambers Street next to the University of Edinburgh. The stylish venue is known for its jazz offerings and laid back atmosphere. Guests can choose from a choice of drinks including beers, spirits, wines and a choice of interesting cocktails. There are also hot drinks served including coffees and a choice light bites. Inside the basement there is smart lighting and designer furniture and a great venue for listening to live jazz. The bar includes a changing programme of music including jazz, soul, funk, blue, hip hop, indie and party nights. There are three time zones in which to enjoy live music at the venue, teatime acoustic (6pm to 8.30pm), early gig (8.30pm to 11.45pm) and late and live (12am to 3am).

The Queens Arms is a friendly pub located on Frederick Street in Edinburgh’s New Town. The pub is popular with locals and tourists alike, the cosy pub has a fine atmosphere and offers a friendly welcome for visitors. The Gastro-pub prides itself on the quality of its service and cuisine. The pub is known for its fine range of real ales, malt whiskey’s, spirits and beers. Food is served using locally sourced ingredients, the pub offers fresh, seasonal dishes for diners to try including light bites, mains of fish, burgers and beef, sandwiches and a choice of desserts. Inside the pub is stylish with traditional touches combined with more contemporary and quirky elements. There are a number of television screens that show the latest sporting action.


Edinburgh Clubs

Opal Lounge Nightclub is located on George Street in Edinburgh. The club is one of the leading nightclubs in Edinburgh and includes a number of resident DJs spinning a choice of tunes including funk, soul and R’n’B. There are a choice of drinks available including a range of cocktails. The club is spread over a large area and includes a modern sound system with plenty of space for clubbers to dance the night away

The Citrus Club is a long established Edinburgh and live music venue. Located on Grindlay Street in Edinburgh’s West End, the club has been established for over 20 years and hosts a range of gigs including indiepop, rock and retropop. The club also hosts a number of club nights playing a choice of music genres including soul, funk, retro 60s to 90s and more. The venue generates a fine atmosphere for gigs and during its club nights making the club an interesting choice for clubbers.

Lulu is a bar and nightclub is located on George Street in Edinburgh’s New Town. The club is housed inside an elegant Georgian building and is lavishly decorated inside, with Swarovski crystals embedded inside the walls and sound responsive disco lighting under the dance floor. Lulu offers guests a luxurious nightclub experience. The club includes a choice of resident DJs playing a range of music covering a choice of music genres including house, funk, soul, R’n’B, hip hop, electro and pop. The elegant club has a distinctly upmarket feel to it and includes a choice of drinks including beers, wines, spirits, cocktails and champagnes.

The Electric Circus is a nightclub and live music venue centrally located on Market Street in Edinburgh close to Waverley train station. The venue includes seven karaoke rooms along with a live music stage and a choice of fun club nights. The private karaoke facilities include individually designed rooms with comfortable seating and has waiter service for drinks including beer, wines and cocktails. The venue is a 300 capacity live music venue that includes performances from a range of touring bands and a number of up and coming local bands. The fun nightclub includes a choice of club nights where DJs play a choice of music genres including rock, retropop, indie, Britpop, motown, dance and hip hop. Food is available with a choice of light bites, sandwiches and bar food served. The circus includes a range of entertainment options catering for a range of tastes.

Voodoo Rooms is a bar, live music venue and cabaret club located on West Registrar Street in the heart of Edinburgh. Established back in 2007 the venue has become a popular addition to the bar and club scene. Inside there are five large rooms and three bars, the stylish bars are known for the range of cocktails available with a choice of beers, wines, spirits and champagnes available too. There are a choice of food options including canapés and bar snacks to main meals with fish, meat and vegetable main, sandwiches, platters and desserts. Located inside a historic building the venue includes a range of eclectic live music and entertainment. DJs are on hand playing a choice of tunes, the venue enjoys a great atmosphere where visitors can dine and enjoy live entertainment in a retro setting.




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