So you've got a band - now where do you gig.
Here is a list of venues and clubs in Edinburgh that support live music and may offer you a gig. Some pay, some you hire and put on your own night.
I'll try to keep this as up-to-date as possible, but as always I'd appreciate your suggestions and updates.
Why not write a brief review of the place, or how easy it was to organise a gig, what you thought of the sound etc?
| Venue | Description | Contact |
|---|---|---|
|
The Ark
Waterloo Place |
Very central off the east end of Princes Street. Long thin room makes it odd if people want to sit, but fill the room and its awsome. One amazing sound guy and a couple not so good, so ask for... | |
|
The Bean Scene Grosvenor Street, and South Bridge |
Coffee House which supports live acoustic music. They don't pay but its a low-risk gig for the experience and maybe a free meal. They might also play and sell your CD. | gigs@beanscene.co.uk |
|
Bongo Club
Holyrood Road |
The old Moray House student's Union now as an independant entity. Nice room with great visibility of the stage. Medium-sized. | |
|
Cabaret Voltaire
Blair Street |
Very popular night club in the heart of the old town. with regular band nites on various themes, also available for hire early evening before club. | |
|
The Caves Niddry Street South |
Like it says on the tin - underground bar stone walls - cool atmosphere. | hello@thecavesedinburgh.com |
|
Citrus Club
Gindlay Street |
I kinda like this place - separate bar area makes talking possible and cheap drinks too. | |
|
City Cafe
Blair Street |
Looks like an American diner - has reputedly spent a fortune on a new sound system. In the heart of the old town. | |
|
Electric Circus
Market Street |
Cool new venue with great stage - and 15 types of lager on tap but no beer. Its worth coming just to see the private karaoke rooms which look like a strip joint. | |
|
Espionage
Victoria Street |
Many bars on many floors. Follow the winding stairs... down to Austrailia I think | |
|
The GRV Guthrie Street |
Urban sanctuary for multi-media arts, creative culture, and music spread over 4 floors. Several venues for hire. | thegrv@gmail.com |
|
The Hive
Niddry Street South |
Another club in the vaults of South Bridge. | gigs@clubhive.co.uk |
|
The Jam House Queen Street |
Jools Hollands club made in the old BBC studios, need I say more. Over 21s. | edinburgh@thejamhouse.com |
|
The Jazz Bar Chambers Street |
Are you cool enough to play here? | |
|
Liquid Room Victoria Street |
Currently closed due to fire damage - will reopen in 2010. It was always the place young bands aspired to play - but its not cheap so you'll have to bring all your friends and their mates too if you want to break even. | |
|
Meadow Bar
Buccleuch Street |
If you can pronounce its address, you must be a local. (Buck - Loo) | |
|
Medina
Lothian Street |
Below Negotiants - cool atmosphere - home of Acoustic Edinburgh | |
|
The Mercat Bar
West Maitland Street |
No its nothing to do with meercats! Function room and basement bar available. | info@mercatbar.com |
|
Pivo Caffe
Carlton Road |
No Stage, just set up at the end of the bar - so better for acoustic sets or small gigs. | |
|
Pleasance Bar
Pleasance |
Home of Edinburgh Folk Club - its a rather attractive university society bar. | www.eusa.ed.ac.uk/contact/pleasance |
|
Queen's Hall
Clark Street |
Now you're messing with the big boys. Serious money and you'll need a big crowd. It is an old church so it has the acoustics to match - long reverb and associated feedback issues - not suited to lively rhythic music but very flattering to choirs and orchestras so might be awesome for folk and acoustic stuff. | |
|
Sneaky Pete's
Cowgate |
Small venue, been to a few here, played a few here. | www.sneakypetes.co.uk |
|
Studio 24
Carlton Road |
Various club nights catering for the darker side of music. Has the PA from the old Venue. | www.myspace.com/studio24edinburgh |
|
The Tron Hunter Square |
Student pub in the heart of the old town. Slightly divey basement bar is perfect for a small gig. Home of Out of the Bedroom. | |
|
The Village South Fort Street |
Home of Leith Folk Club, Southbound Sessions and many an acoustic gig. | |
| The Voodoo Rooms | Classy establishment just off the east end of Princes Street, two venues a small one - the Speakeasy and a large one The Ballroom. Not cheap, but awesome for an album launch or showcase event. | info@thevoodoorooms.com |