Go to the Theatre or take in some Live Music

Edinburgh is famed for its festival, which is in fact a collection of festivals all taking place in August. For three weeks in August the Edinburgh Festival transforms the city. All manner of venues and buildings from pubs to clubs are transformed to host a myriad of productions from comedy, to plays and readings The streets are packed (particularly Royal Mile) with all manner of acts. Buskers, hustlers, celebrities, performers and visitors all mingle to create a unique atmosphere. Soak in the acts, review the revues, expand your horizons and try the good, the bad and ugly. And remember most of today’s best entertainers got their break in the festival.

The ‘Festival’ incorporates the Edinburgh International Festival (the ‘official’ festival), the larger Fringe Festival and also Film, Book, Jazz and Blues Festival as well as the legendary Military Tattoo and much, much more, making the Edinburgh Festival by far the biggest festival worldwide. There are some 1500 shows per day in 200 venues. But the three main big venues are the Gilded Balloon, the Traverse and Pleasance and there are usually one or two free events – Fireworks and Fringe Sunday. Check the Guide (printed everyday during the festival) for listings.

Be warned, hordes of tourists and artists descend upon Edinburgh for this event and accommodation is difficult and highly priced to get in August. It can be a struggle to get accommodation, locate tickets, get a restaurant table – but this adds to the experience. In fact you are not at the festival if you don’t experience the trials and tribulations of getting a bed, ticket and queuing for a restaurant table.

Not surprisingly, the best nightlife occurs during the festival, which can make the other 11 months of the year look dull. But in any event Edinburgh has a lot to offer in the realm of performing arts and live music.

For classical music the top venue is Usher Hall, while for opera and ballet try the Festival Theatre or Queens Hall, which also features mellow rock and jazz. Edinburgh’s club scene exists but is not heavily centred in one spot and there are few must do venues. Edinburgh offers a wide variety of styles and you will find something to suit most tastes. The best way to find out what’s on is to pick up a copy of The List or Edinburgh Evening News. Below find some examples of Live Venues

RECOMMENDED THEATRE, PUBS & CLUBS

Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Street, 34 Hamilton Place, Tel: 0131-226-5425
Traverse is the leading venue for cutting-edge drama. It has an established reputation for experimental theatre. It has a great bar downstairs and a ‘blue’ cafe-bar upstairs.
Traverse Website

Festival Theatre, Nicholson Street, Tel: 0131-529-6000
For big, prestigious shows to cover opera and ballet.
Festival City Theatres Website

The Queens Hall, Clerk Street, Tel: 0131-668-2019
A wide range of events across the entertainment spectrum hitting the right note in Classical, Jazz, Blues, Pop, Rock, World, Folk, and Comedy. A truly top quality Edinburgh venue for any genre of music.
theQueensHall Website

Out Of The Bedroom, 3-5 St Mary's Street, Tel: 0131-556-8855
Out Of The Bedroom is the only original music open mic in Edinburgh. It runs every Thursday between 9pm and midnight at the Waverley Bar and is free to performers and the public.
OOTB Website

FILMHOUSE Cinema, 88 Lothian Road, Tel: 0131-228-2688
The Filmhouse is the primary venue for both mainstream and independent films in Edinburgh. There are regular events and a fantastic bar/bistro. Filmhouse is also home of the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
FilmHouse Website

Playhouse, 18-22 Greenside Place, Tel: 0131-557-2590
For successful West End shows

Cas Rock Cafe, 4 West Port, Tel: 0131-229-4341
A venue to see up and coming new bands as well as some old-timers. Also home to the Punk festival in the Summer

Cellar No. 1, 1 Chambers Street, Tel: 0131-226-7177
Jazz, salsa, flemenco

The Bongo Club, 37 Holyrood Road, Tel: 0131-558-7604
An excellent, raw venue for clubbing, live music, theatre cabaret, and any other artform.
Bongo Club Website

Royal Oak, 1 Infirmary Street, Tel: 0131-557-2976
Friendly unpretentious folk venue.

Tron Ceilidh House, 9 Hunter Square, Tel: 0131-226-0931
A number of different bars on different levels featuring jazz and folk nights regularly,

Sandy Bell’s, 25 Forrest Road, Tel: 0131-225-2751
Folk music every night in this small and friendly bar which attracts good local musicians.

For further information on great venues in Edinburgh or to have your business listed here, please contact us on any of the numbers above or mail us.