Windmill Sound Recording Studio Edinburgh

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 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. If its raining outside it will probably rain inside too.	hello@thecavesedinburgh.com
Citrus Club Gindlay Street	I kinda like this place - separate bar area makes talking possible and cheap drinks too. The walls of the performing space are some sort of black rubberised coating - this is a place for a gig not a party.
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. You will however have people from the karaoke walking through to get to the bar.
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. I say GRV but this place changes it management and its name every few months - which can make forward booking an issue.	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	Cool basement venue, take 'Jazz' with a pinch of salt, there's all kinds of music here.
Liquid Room Victoria Street	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. Floor strewn with cushions - it looks very bohemian, but not the most comfortable palce to sit.
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. Terrible equipment.	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. But the room is not used except for gigs and they often keep the door to the kitchen open resulting in every surface being covered in grease.
The Village South Fort Street	Home of Leith Folk Club, Southbound Sessions and many an acoustic gig. Its slightly off the beaten track but well worth it.
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. The Ballroom has a computerised desk (only place in Edinburgh) which means that what you get in the soundcheck will be brought back exactly in the gig - which is very cool particularly if a number of bands are playing.	info@thevoodoorooms.com

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