The Skinny Guide to Edinburgh's Gig and Clubs Venues

Let’s start off in the Cowgate area of the city's Old Town where a tasty number of venues are located just a hop, skip and a jump from one another. Sneaky Pete’s (73 Cowgate) is no stranger to packed crowds come show time. The award-winning, 100-ish capacity venue offers the perfect melting pot for gigs of all kinds to take place as well as local club nights which run seven days a week. Formerly known as Opium, right next door to Sneaky's you'll find Legends (71 Cowgate). This place channels more of a dive bar feel with sweaty gigs often taking place in its upstairs venue, and rockaoke every Monday.

A little more than a stone’s throw down the road, Bannermans (212 Cowgate) is a whisky bar and raucous rock venue with a super-cool cavernous music space. Take a few steps across the road and La Belle Angele (11 Hastie’s Cl) will be in your midst. This nightclub has been an Edinburgh institution since the early 90s, despite a fire in the early 00s nearly wiping it from existence – the space might not be what it once was, but the spirit of La Belle lives on. Expect electro, house, techno and slices of hip-hop here, and sometimes Swiftogeddon (13 Aug). Yes, that is a night dedicated solely to the hits of Taylor Swift. The Mash House (37 Guthrie St) is also conveniently located nearby. Here you’ll find some of the best up-and-coming bands as well as club nights across its three floors, championing some of the best local DJs Edinburgh has to offer.

A few minutes in either direction you'll find The Caves (8-10 Niddry St) and The Bongo Club (66 Cowgate), both of which are well worth a visit. The Caves is made up of the substructure of Edinburgh’s 18th century South Bridge and has recently welcomed the likes of Yard Act, while Bongo offers another top spot for late night revellers with monthly and weekly club nights charting sounds from Europe to Jamaica. The Banshee Labyrinth (29-35 Niddry St) is a must-visit if you're a wannabe Ghostbuster – it’s self-confessed as Scotland’s most haunted pub making the occasional gigs here that extra bit spooky. Finally, The Liquid Room (9C Victoria St) has been known for attracting top touring bands since the late 90s and clubbing also works a treat here. 

Swim School at The Mash House

If you’re after a change of scenery why not head for some of the city’s grander venues and arts spaces. Located near the University of Edinburgh in the Southside, a venture to Summerhall (1 Summerhall) will go down a treat; this forward-thinking, sustainable venue is all about bringing together creative minds. Its year-round programme of events is chock-full of creative goodness and its sleek Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme is poised and ready to go this August. Also in the area you'll find The Queen’s Hall (85-89 Clerk St), originally built as a chapel before being converted into a 900-capacity live music venue. Find diverse programme schedules here that will impress all ages.

In Leith, Leith Theatre (28-30 Ferry Rd) is the main venue for the Edinburgh International Festival's contemporary programme in August. Reopened in 2017, after almost 30 years closed, a trip to Leith wouldn’t be complete without stopping by the arts and community venue. Over in the West End, meanwhile, Usher Hall (Lothian Rd) is one of Edinburgh’s grandest venues, handily located a short walk from Princes Street. The Edwardian building welcomes everyone from orchestras to rock bands and if you book your ticket ahead, names like Fleet Foxes, Public Service Broadcasting and Angel Olsen can be yours to see here very soon.

Formerly known as The Edinburgh Corn Exchange, and also in the west of the city, the O2 Academy Edinburgh (11 New Market Rd) can’t be left out of this extensive list. Some of the biggest touring acts regularly visit here and a short bus journey from the heart of the capital will get you here in a flash.

If you fancy some music in Edinburgh’s New Town, The Voodoo Rooms (19A West Register St) is well worth a look in. Sip on some classy cocktails here all the while checking out its opulently decorated interior and listening to musicians old and new on any given night in its Ballroom and Speakeasy spaces. On one of the city centre's main shopping thoroughfares you’ll find Assembly Rooms (54 George St). While it doesn't offer a full music programme, whenever there is a concert on here your experience will feel that bit more grandiose.

Whether you’re visiting Edinburgh for a weekend or are a local looking to explore some of the city’s coolest music and club spots, this guide should hopefully see you right. There’s something for everyone here; a chilled gig or some high intensity sweaty action into the late hours can be catered to your fullest desires. See you down the front!

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Key Live Dates: Pixies (O2 Academy Edinburgh, 3 Aug), Mdou Moctar (The Liquid Room, 16 Aug), Princess Nokia (Leith Theatre, 17 Aug), Cate Le Bon (Summerhall, 17 Aug), Fleet Foxes (Usher Hall, 30 Aug), Coach Party (Sneaky Pete’s, 14 Sep), Babeheaven (The Voodoo Rooms, 15 Sep), Katy J Pearson (The Voodoo Rooms, 20 Sep), Jockstrap (The Mash House, 29 Sep), SOAK (The Caves, 10 Oct), GZA (The Queen's Hall, 13 Oct), Angel Olsen (Usher Hall, 20 Oct), Lime Garden (Sneaky Pete's, 9 Nov), The Selecter (La Belle Angele, 12 Nov)