Windmill Sound Recording Studio Edinburgh

Places to Gig

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