As students in an ever-worsening economy, it can sometimes feel like our options of third spaces — social areas that are between work and home — are growing sparser. Whilst part of the loss comes from businesses closing down, a large factor is financial rather than physical; these spaces still exist, but many people, student or otherwise, just can’t afford to go to them anymore.
Pubs are a go-to third space for lots of students, but with the hospitality sector struggling, many of these have been lost over the years. Forrest Road’s Ballie Ballerson was a popular choice until its closure in 2024. With the novelty of its famous ball pit, it provided a rare space where adults could be young and have fun again, especially during the stress of exams and deadlines. Another huge loss for nightlife third places is The Tron, one of Edinburgh’s most beloved pubs, which rebranded to O’Niell’s in 2025. Famed for its cheap alcohol, busy atmosphere, and karaoke nights, it felt like one of the most welcoming pubs for students. Its rebranding, with O’Niells sporting a much more expensive menu, means the space no longer feels as student-friendly and feels like a significant loss when nights out are only getting more expensive. The pub’s makeover feels representative of a shift that explains the shrinking of many of Edinburgh’s third spaces: businesses are prioritising profit over atmosphere, and student friendly options are shrinking as a result.
This impacts the suitability of coffee shops and cafes as third places, too. Whereas in a pub you can nurse a pint for a few hours, most cafes have stricter etiquette when it comes to how long you’re allowed to stay at a table before it’s deemed rude. The general unwritten rule is that customers shouldn’t stay for longer than an hour after purchasing an item, making cafes less ideal third places when it feels like you’re on a strict time limit. Especially in the centre of a city as busy and fast-paced as Edinburgh, some places feel inhospitable if it seems like the business just wants you to move on and make room for another customer. This takes away from the value of cafes as third places because it’s hard to take your time and actually enjoy being there. Cost-wise, it’s hard for students who just want to study in a cafe for a few hours, but don’t want the cost of having to justify being there by purchasing a coffee every hour.
Another obstacle for the suitability of cafes as good third places is the increasing enforcement of ‘no laptop’ tables. It’s an understandable choice for businesses who want to create a social, non-digital environment, but it can further restrict students from having a casual studying spot.
With all these obstacles, sometimes it can feel difficult for the average student on a low budget to find good third spaces. However, the Jazz Bar’s resurrection stands as a testament to the impact of resilience and community against the loss of these places. In 2024, the Jazz Bar announced its closure due to financial difficulties but was saved two months later by community support and crowdfunding. This proves that beloved cultural spaces can persist in Edinburgh even amid the economic struggles we all face. In the meantime, students can find many good third places at the University of Edinburgh itself, like the recently reopened Teviot building. The University’s cafes and bars are usually also welcoming spaces because, unlike other businesses, they allow students to be there for hours without having to purchase anything.
It’s no surprise that, in a cost-of-living crisis, social and cultural spaces are suffering. But the Jazz Bar’s continued business proves that we don’t have to just watch them collapse; the voices of our communities have proved their strength in protecting Edinburgh’s cultural sanctuaries and will hopefully continue to do so.
Image by Mark Chan for The Student.
