Where to go out in Edinburgh?
Discussion
Bit of background:
Myself and a few mates (3/4) from 'the West' (Glasgow/Oban) will be in Edinburgh this weekend. Going to catch a comedy show early evening, and then heading off to a few bars/possibly a club.
Went to Espionage a few (5) years ago and though it a bit cheesy but not too bad - memory a bit hazy, but the bar in there that was level with the street seemed quite good.
'3 sisters' also seemed quite lively.
Is the Grassmarket any good these days? I recall that being a bit too 'Real ale-y' and targeted towards a more 'senior' clientelle...
Not looking for anything pretentious, but on the other hand would also steer clear of anything 'naff' - anyone remember 'Revolutions' (I think it was called, or was it something-2000?) on Lotian road for example?!?)
Only go out in Edinburgh about once a year (if that), so not sure where to find a decent night out. Any suggestions?
Before it is suggested, the 'Pubic triangle' has been done a few times before, and not what we are looking for on this occaision!
Myself and a few mates (3/4) from 'the West' (Glasgow/Oban) will be in Edinburgh this weekend. Going to catch a comedy show early evening, and then heading off to a few bars/possibly a club.
Went to Espionage a few (5) years ago and though it a bit cheesy but not too bad - memory a bit hazy, but the bar in there that was level with the street seemed quite good.
'3 sisters' also seemed quite lively.
Is the Grassmarket any good these days? I recall that being a bit too 'Real ale-y' and targeted towards a more 'senior' clientelle...
Not looking for anything pretentious, but on the other hand would also steer clear of anything 'naff' - anyone remember 'Revolutions' (I think it was called, or was it something-2000?) on Lotian road for example?!?)
Only go out in Edinburgh about once a year (if that), so not sure where to find a decent night out. Any suggestions?
Before it is suggested, the 'Pubic triangle' has been done a few times before, and not what we are looking for on this occaision!
monthefish said:
'3 sisters' also seemed quite lively.
^^^ It's an absolute dump. I was there last month. Plenty of hen nights, if you don't mind wading through the pools of broken glass/vomit.monthefish said:
Is the Grassmarket any good these days? I recall that being a bit too 'Real ale-y' and targeted towards a more 'senior' clientelle...
^^^ I find the Grassmarket a nice wee place to be. It's certainly not proper lively, though. The area near Walkabout (Broughton?) is alright - some nice quietish pubs and nice plaes to eat?
Way of course, Commercial Street in Leith has some nice boozers near the Malmaison...?
monthefish said:
Before it is suggested, the 'Pubic triangle' has been done a few times before, and not what we are looking for on this occaision!
^^^ Hee hee. The Western Bar dungeon experience is well worth the £20....................................... So I'm told. 
monthefish said:
Famous Graham said:
Frankensteins on George IV Bridge can be entertaining.
Haven't been there for a good few years - certainly remember it being quite good (especially when 'Frankie' himself comes out and the barmaids dance on the bar - do they still do that?) - might give that a go.monthefish said:
Not looking for anything pretentious,
I'd say that rules out half of George Street including Candy Bar's £200+ bottles of champagne!Sir may wish to sample the Villager, Bar Kohl, Revolution (Chambers St Bar - Not the former club previously known as Century 2000 on Lothian Road)which are all in the George IV Bridge area nr Frankensteins.
George Street tends to be pretentious and the Cowgate/Grassmarket tends to be stag and hen central these days. Not much in between, which sounds like where you (and I) like to be when out.
A few bars on the Mile are good for a couple of warmup drinks, like the Albanach, Mitre, or World's End. Just not for a full night.
Dropkick Murphy's can be good post 11 if you like live music. Failing that, Whistle Binkies.
Or <shudder>...the Hive (not for live stuff, just late night boozing). Actually, the Banshee have a load of live stuff on this month and next (formerly Nichol Edwards on Blackfriars) if you're of a rock/metal bent.
Dropkick Murphy's can be good post 11 if you like live music. Failing that, Whistle Binkies.
Or <shudder>...the Hive (not for live stuff, just late night boozing). Actually, the Banshee have a load of live stuff on this month and next (formerly Nichol Edwards on Blackfriars) if you're of a rock/metal bent.
Edited by Famous Graham on Thursday 5th August 21:27
SteveCIt’s hard to recommend places without more idea of the OP’s tastes … but I’m a big fan of Dragonfly, just along from the Grassmarket. I like the Broughton Street pubs as well, for the other end of town, and The Outhouse. For late night shenanigans, you can’t beat The Bongo Club.
However, in my opinion all the usual rules of where to go and what to do in Edinburgh go right out of the window during August. It’s Fringe season! Go to one of the main comedy complexes (Pleasance, probably), grab a pint in the courtyard and start taking show flyers and recommendations from PR girls. See where the night takes you. Wherever you finish up, you can head to Late & Live (at the Gilded Balloon) at the the end of the night. Always the best, most unpredictable, funniest show of the day. It’s where the comedians go after hours to let off steam.
However, in my opinion all the usual rules of where to go and what to do in Edinburgh go right out of the window during August. It’s Fringe season! Go to one of the main comedy complexes (Pleasance, probably), grab a pint in the courtyard and start taking show flyers and recommendations from PR girls. See where the night takes you. Wherever you finish up, you can head to Late & Live (at the Gilded Balloon) at the the end of the night. Always the best, most unpredictable, funniest show of the day. It’s where the comedians go after hours to let off steam.
Thanks for all suggestions.
'Taste' is difficult to define - nothing specialist, and somewhere between elitist/'must have correct labeled clothes' type places and sticking to the carpets, trainers and hoodies welcome type places.
Just looking for a place with a decent atmospere, late-ish drinking and possibly a dancefloor (depending on the aforementioned drinking).
'Taste' is difficult to define - nothing specialist, and somewhere between elitist/'must have correct labeled clothes' type places and sticking to the carpets, trainers and hoodies welcome type places.
Just looking for a place with a decent atmospere, late-ish drinking and possibly a dancefloor (depending on the aforementioned drinking).
The Jam House or Cabaret Voltaire are both good, but totally different.
http://www.thejamhouse.com/edinburgh
http://www.thecabaretvoltaire.com/subindex.php
http://www.thejamhouse.com/edinburgh
http://www.thecabaretvoltaire.com/subindex.php
Thanks for all suggestions.
Went to 3 sisters - had a drink but didn't bother venturing past the courtyard.
Then went by the Liquid Rooms but there were huge queues so couldn't be ar$ed waiting, so went next door into the upstairs bar in Espionage for a couple...which turned into more than a couple (
+ 
= 
)
So stayed there and had a very good night. Sure it's a bit cheesy but all in all it's not a bad night out. They had some comedy acts on the one of the downstair bars which weren't too bad (probably helped by the aforementioned) and the dancefloor was quite lively (but a bit of a sausagefest so didn't hang about there too long).
Went to 3 sisters - had a drink but didn't bother venturing past the courtyard.
Then went by the Liquid Rooms but there were huge queues so couldn't be ar$ed waiting, so went next door into the upstairs bar in Espionage for a couple...which turned into more than a couple (
+ = )So stayed there and had a very good night. Sure it's a bit cheesy but all in all it's not a bad night out. They had some comedy acts on the one of the downstair bars which weren't too bad (probably helped by the aforementioned
) and the dancefloor was quite lively (but a bit of a sausagefest so didn't hang about there too long).Yip... I opened up (Madchester) last Month with Tim Burgess from The Charlatans up... awesome night, place was rockin'
It was tough work though, I personally worked 3 Nights until the very early hours (along with a few others) to get her open on time... Here was the Q for my night, awesome sight
It was tough work though, I personally worked 3 Nights until the very early hours (along with a few others) to get her open on time... Here was the Q for my night, awesome sight
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