Who doesn’t love a good night out? Whether it’s sipping cocktails in an intimate jazz bar or dancing your heart out until the sun rises, Edinburgh offers venues to suit the tastes of many. Though, with such a variety of places to choose from, planning your night on the town can certainly be overwhelming. Alas, here I am to guide you through the perfect night out in Edinburgh, according to your tastes.
Firstly, nailing the right day is essential to informing what type of night out you will have. Thursday and Sunday are usually quieter nights, so perhaps suited more to a relaxed evening in a pub or bar as opposed to a night clubbing. Student-friendly pubs such as The Southsider and Pear Tree offer cheap drinks if you present your student ID, and often stay open to around 12:30am for those who enjoy a long chat alongside their drinks. The bar inside Potterrow also offers cheap drinks and meal combos each weekday from 5pm, including burgers and fries from £6 every Monday, if you are looking for a side of food with your drink. These venues are perfect for a catch-up with friends, or even a solo date.
Another staple of a relaxed Edinburgh night out is the newly reopened Jazz Bar just outside Old College. Describing their vibe as “real New York”, visitors to the Jazz Bar can expect 23 gigs a week alongside stylish cocktails and small bites to eat. A visit here is perfect for a chilled Thursday evening, with their events running late into the night should you find yourself enthralled by the New York feeling of the interior.
If a wild night out is more to your speed, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday are the best nights to go out. Clubbing in Edinburgh is generally split into two areas, either the New Town or Cowgate, so it is best that you begin your night in these areas as to avoid a long trek across the city. The clubs and bars in the New Town are perhaps smaller than those in Cowgate, so if a more intimate evening suits your vibe, this is likely your best option. On a Friday, a New Town classic is starting your evening at Kitty O’Shea’s, a small Irish Bar, before making your way over to Garibaldi’s: a small, yet fun, club just off Hanover Street. And, with The Standing Order nearby, it is always possible to sneak a few drinks in before you leave. Wednesdays are always spent in Why Not though. Be warned, this is sports social night so expect some mischievous antics.
There is perhaps more diversity in terms of clubbing when it comes to Cowgate, so if you are undecided on the vibe of your night out, this could be a better option than the New Town. Where Subway and The Hive offer chart and cheese on rotation, Sneaky Pete’s intimate setting is perfect for live music, whilst Bongo’s two floors pulsate with Drum and Bass. Each of these clubs have their own merits, though for the best all-round night out, Subway on a Tuesday or Friday never fails to disappoint. Best to get there after 12:30am, though, otherwise you will find an empty dance floor.
Oh, and no night out in Edinburgh is complete without getting the obligatory “Ended up at Drops” stamp from Dropkicks.
Photo provided by Jayni Makwana