Choosing how to spend your birthday can be one of the hardest decisions of the year. So, we have put together some recommendations to help plan the day of your dreams from start to finish.
Why not begin your day in the classic setting of a birthday brunch? Brunch can be perfect whether it’s with friends, family, or a partner. As Edinburgh continues to grow its repertoire of charming food spots, the choices are endless when deciding upon the perfect location to begin your birthday extravaganza. If you love a savoury breakfast, look no farther than Loudons, Scran, or Southpour. With each offering its own fun interior, all are ideal options for year-round celebrations. If a sweet breakfast is more your thing, Leila’s, Em’s Kitchen, or Stack and Still serve some of the best pancakes in Edinburgh. And who knows, a birthday (pan)cake may just become the newest Edinburgh trend! All these options are no more than a ten-minute walk from George Square, making them easily accessible to everyone living in Edinburgh. Offering varied menus, with many offering student discounts, there is no better way to begin your birthday.
Now you begin the rest of your day, whether that be returning from the best brunch of your life… or waking up next to the toilet due to the night before. Regardless, it is important to get outside and enjoy your surroundings, and you can use your birthday to get your friends to enjoy them with you. Typically, we picture Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill for a walk, however The Royal Botanical Gardens are free to visit from 10am-5pm daily, and there are several buses which can whisk you straight there from South Bridge in just 30 minutes. Alternatively, for those who prefer a more creative activity or want to try something new, pottery and ceramic painting may be the thing for you. Doodles in Marchmont is a great place to put your creative devices to the test. Don’t let anything stand between you and an average looking piece of home décor on your special day.
As the night draws near, and your décor has found its rightful place on the windowsill, you now must decide how to spend your evening. We have narrowed down some of the best Edinburgh student spots to conclude your night with a bang. For those who enjoy a classic pub night with friends, we recommend either Stramash, Dropkicks, Whistle Binkies or Finnigan’s, all offering live music which transforms the traditional pub atmosphere into something more. You could even combine all four or more to create the pub crawl of your dreams. Alternatively, if you are looking to try something new, why not head to NQ64, Lane 7 or Fayre Play and make the most of their unique environments (with or without a cheeky drink). Equally, if you prefer a night in, a potluck with friends or a themed flat do will never go a miss to conclude your dream Edinburgh birthday.