Nightlife · Edinburgh · United Kingdom
Edinburgh nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Edinburgh, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Edinburgh's nightlife is pub-centred, with historic Old Town taverns, New Town cocktail bars and live music and comedy all year — multiplied many times over during the August festivals. Most pubs close around midnight or 1am, with some clubs and late bars open until about 3am. The main areas are Grassmarket and Cowgate, George Street and the New Town, Leith and Southside.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 4
- Stay near the action
- Old Town
- Local drink
- Scotch whisky
Where to go out
Grassmarket and Cowgate
Historic pubs with outdoor tables below the castle, and late-night clubs and student bars along the Cowgate.
George Street and the New Town
Cocktail bars, wine bars and smart restaurants in grand Georgian buildings.
Leith
Waterfront pubs, craft-beer bars and small music venues along the Shore and Leith Walk.
Southside
Student pubs, live-music venues and folk sessions around Nicolson Street, Forrest Road and Bristo Square.
Nightlife tips
- The Stand Comedy Club on York Place runs comedy most nights all year, not just during the Fringe.
- Pubs such as Sandy Bell's on Forrest Road host free traditional folk sessions.
- Night buses cover the main routes; taxi ranks get long queues at closing time on busy nights.
Evening sights
Street · Old Town
Victoria Street and the Grassmarket
Come early in the morning for photographs without crowds, then return in the evening for the Grassmarket pubs.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Photo spot
- After dark
What to drink
- Scotch whisky — Malt and blended whiskies from Scotland's regions, from peaty Islay malts to lighter Lowland and Speyside styles; drink it neat or with a drop of water.
- Irn-Bru — Scotland's bright orange fizzy drink, made to a secret recipe since 1901 and widely recommended as a hangover cure.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 11°C (52°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 16:10 | 1°C (34°F) | 12 |
| April | About 20:18 | 4°C (39°F) | 9 |
| July | About 21:49 | 11°C (52°F) | 10 |
| October | About 18:13 | 7°C (45°F) | 12 |
Getting home late
- Walking — The Castle to Holyrood is about 1.6 km downhill along the Royal Mile, and the New Town is a few minutes away across the Mound or North Bridge.
- Bus — Tap a contactless card on the reader when boarding; drivers do not give change for cash fares.
- Tram — Edinburgh Trams run from the airport through Haymarket, Princes Street and St Andrew Square and down Leith Walk to Ocean Terminal and Newhaven, every few minutes during the day.
- Taxi — Black cabs can be hailed in the street or found at ranks around the centre, and ride-hailing apps operate across the city.
Late-night bites
- Shortbread — Bakeries and tearooms; a baker's fresh batch beats the souvenir tins on the Royal Mile.
- Scotch pie — Bakeries across the city and at Tynecastle and Easter Road on match days.
- Fish supper with salt 'n' sauce — Chip shops ('chippies') across the city, including Leith and Portobello.
Staying safe at night
Edinburgh is generally safe for visitors. Pickpockets work the festival crowds and the Royal Mile in summer, and the steep closes, stairs and cobbles are slippery in rain. On Arthur's Seat, stay on the paths and avoid the crags in wind or poor visibility.
- Emergency number
- 999 or 112
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, culture and nightlife
Old Town
The Old Town follows the volcanic ridge of the Royal Mile, with narrow closes dropping away on either side, the Grassmarket below the castle rock and the curving shopfronts of Victoria Street. It is the most atmospheric base and walkable to almost everything, but rooms are expensive, streets are steep and cobbled, and the Royal Mile is crowded in summer and packed in August.
- Good
- On the doorstep of the main sights; Historic pubs and closes; Lively evenings
- Watch out
- Expensive, especially in August; Steep and cobbled; Late-night noise around the Cowgate
- Nearby
- Edinburgh Castle, St Giles' Cathedral, Grassmarket, Victoria Street
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Edinburgh?
Grassmarket and Cowgate, George Street and the New Town and Leith. Historic pubs with outdoor tables below the castle, and late-night clubs and student bars along the Cowgate.
+Which area of Edinburgh is best for nightlife?
Old Town: Medieval closes and wynds along the Royal Mile from the Castle to Holyrood.