A guide to clubbing in Edinburgh
Much of Edinburgh’s nightlife dwells in the warren-like vaults, basements and backrooms of the medieval strip, known as the Cowgate. Home to outstanding venues, DJs and promoters, here are The Skinny’s top club night picks
Tracks
Subway, Mondays
Wigs, lashes and stilettos at the ready – divas take to the biggest stage in Scottish drag every Monday night at 9pm.
RARE Edinburgh
Sneaky Pete’s, Tuesdays
Scottish party professionals RARE welcome DJs local and global each Tuesday night. Previous guests include Dr Dubplate, Arthi and SHEE.
Cookie Wednesday
Hive, Wednesdays
Free entry, free cookies and £1 shots? Cookie Wednesdays are the most affordable (and most ridiculous) nights out in the capital. Bonus points for getting a photo with the poor sod in the Cookie Monster costume.
import
Sneaky Pete’s, Thursdays
A celebration of global bass music and FLINTA+ artists, import takes over the city’s favourite living room-sized club for an intimate affair.
Palidrone
Sneaky Pete’s, Fridays
With eight years of parties under their belt, Palidrone are experts in throwing high-energy, genre-bending and unpredictable club nights. Previous guests include Teki Latex, Tim Reaper and Joy Orbison.
Club Nocturne
Cabaret Voltaire, Saturdays
A guaranteed belter of a Saturday night, Club Nocturne promises real DJs, no phones and no egos. Previous guests include Horse Meat Disco, Jasper James and LWS.
Chromatic
The Bongo Club, Saturdays
For fans of subwoofers and facemelters, Chromatic consistently brings UK bass royalty to The Bongo Club. Previous guests include Saint Ludo, Plastician and Neffa-T.
EPiKA
The Bongo Club, Saturdays
The heart of Edinburgh’s techno community, EPiKA put on stellar club nights, femme-focused DJ workshops and pre-party socials – don’t be surprised if the entire dancefloor already knows one another. Previous guests include Livid, Lindsey Herbert and Selene.
Like This
People’s Leisure Club, Saturdays
Holding it down in Edinburgh’s newest venue, People’s Leisure Club, Like This keeps the candle burning for formative electronic sounds – expect Detroit techno, Chicago house and New York garage delivered to a hungry crowd.
Tierhaus
Summerhall, Saturdays
Tierhaus transforms Summerhall’s Dissection Room into a homage to the Haçienda, with euphoric tunes, immersive installations and a community-minded ethos.
Free Time
Sneaky Pete’s, Sundays
Sneaky Pete’s answer to clawing back the last few hours of the weekend, Free Time is proof that the Sunday Scaries can’t reach you in the club. Hosting friends of the club from 6-10pm, why not stick around for Postal to take you into the wee hours of Monday. Previous guests include Mount Kimbie, Goldie and DJ EZ.
Headset
Whether you’re after drag queen-hosted garage nights, UK-wide 140 parties, branded umbrellas or your new favourite record label – Headset has something for everyone. An Edinburgh mainstay for the last ten years, previous guests have included El-B, Batu and Cooly G.
Faeriesteria
Weird and wonderful things happen when faerie circle and Microsteria put on their joint club nights. Known and loved individually, the two parties unite to stage beguiling, performance-led events in the witching hours.
Edinburgh Dub Club
Ragga and roots, dancehall and dub – Edinburgh Dub Club pays homage to Jamaican sound system culture, uniting Scotland’s selectors, systems and dancers. Previous guests include Messenger Sound System, Mungo’s Hi Fi and Hometown Sound System.
Please note, some venue's regular programming changes during August to accomodate the Fringe