From stargazing to movie watching, Edinburgh offers countless options for night owls. Whether you’re looking for a drink or a new experience, there’s something for everyone.
See the Milky Way at the Royal Observatory
The Royal Observatory regularly organizes astronomy evenings open to the public, allowing visitors to admire the night sky, discover state-of-the-art equipment, and even observe and handle authentic meteorites. Sessions are usually held on Friday evenings throughout the year, although they are more popular in the winter months when the darker (if clear) night allows for optimal visibility of the stars.
Address: Blackford Hill, EH9 3H
Take in a show at the theater
Edinburgh’s iconic Playhouse Theatre is the largest venue of its kind in the city and hosts a wide variety of shows throughout the year. From classical and contemporary plays to musicals, ballet and comedy, the Playhouse offers entertainment to delight all types of audiences.
Address: 18-22 Greenside Lane, EH1 3AA
atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse
Solve an escape game
Edinburgh is home to several escape games, which are very popular with young people, including the famous Can You Escape? which offers two themed missions – OperationOdyssey and Operation Deadlock –to solve. Open daily until 11pm, it’s the perfect activity for couples, groups of friends or large groups, with game options ranging from two to ten players.
Address: 5 Holyrood Road, EH8 8AE
Join asupper club
Supper clubs are a great way to meet new people while enjoying delicious food in an informal setting. The Edinburgh Supper Club is held once a month and features a three-course menu (usually with a seasonal theme) at an undisclosed location in Edinburgh. Go and find it!
Address: location varies
Go on a ghost hunt
Edinburgh is famous for its reputation as a haunted city, and ghost hunts at dusk are a fun way to discover some of the city’s history. You can sign up for nightly underground tours of the gloomy catacombs (or vaults), from which many accounts of paranormal experiences and visions of specters have been reported.
Address: 28 Blair Street, EH1 1QR
Take part in a cocktail masterclass
Instead of just drinking simple cocktails at a party, take it a step further and learn the art of mixology to make your own creations. Cocktail masterclasses (for groups of 4 to 34 people) are held at the Voodoo Rooms, offering participants demonstrations, tips and recipes from the establishment’s renowned bartenders.
Address: 19a West Register Street, EH2 2AA
Visit a luxury cinema
Give the cinema a touch of old-fashioned glitz by visiting one of Edinburgh’s best independent houses, the Dominion Cinema. Theaters are equipped with comfortable seating, and the facility hosts a bar, serving everything from beer to champagne. You can even find light snacks and fine wines, which will be brought to you in the room itself.
Address: 1 Newbattle Terrace, EH10 4RT
Have a drink in a secret speakeasy
Edinburgh has no shortage of secret bars, in the style of American speakeasies, if you know how to flush them out. Bryant & Mack is undoubtedly one of the best. Decorated in the style of a private detective agency, the bar offers many drinks and entertainment around the theme of espionage and secret services, in a glamorous atmosphere that evokes the prohibition era.
Address: 89 Rose Street North Lane, EH2 3DX
Have fun at a comedy club
The Monkey Barrel Comedy Club features a different show every night of the week. From up-and-coming local comedians and actors to some of the biggest names on the rise, patrons can enjoy a stand-up routine every night.
Address: 9-11 Blair Street, EH1 1QR
Enjoy a glass of whisky
Whether you live in Edinburgh or are just passing through, enjoying a glass of Scotland’s national drink is always the perfect way to spend an evening. The city offers visitors a wide range of whisky bars, including the Usquabae, which offers over 400 varieties of scotch, as well as tasting classes and masterclasses.
Address: 2-4 Hope Street, EH2 4DB
Learn a new discipline at the University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh College)
The University of Edinburgh offers a wide variety of part-time evening courses, perfect for those looking to improve their knowledge or find a new hobby while working or visiting the city during the day. The evening courses offer subjects such as digital photography, learning German, marketing, sound engineering, and fashion design.
Address: various locations
Test your knowledge in a quiz club
Motivate all your friends and collectively test your knowledge in a great quiz. Goose’s Quizz offers totally free quizzes every night of the week at various Edinburgh bars including Akva, City Café, Beer&Skittles, Jeremiah’sTaproom and the Queen’s Arms.
Address: various locations
Dine in a scenic restaurant
Consistently ranked as one of Edinburgh’s top restaurants on TripAdvisor, The Table is a spectacular and exclusive dining experience, with only a dozen seats around a single table, where diners can enjoy the expertise of two top chefs. The restaurant is closed at lunchtime, making it the perfect place to enjoy a very special dinner. Don’t forget to make a reservation!
Address: 3A Dundas Street, EH3 6QG
Immerse yourself in a night at the National Museum after hours
The facility’s popular nightly events allow visitors to experience the National Museum of Scotland after dark. Each evening is themed, usually around the seasonal exhibition of the day. There will be live music, local crafts, entertainment, food and drink, all in the spectacular setting of the Great Hall.
Address: Chambers Street, EH1 1JF
nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland
Attend a “micro open” evening
If you’re a budding musician, head to the Dog House on Friday night for a “Mad Expression” session. Instrumentalists and singers of every imaginable style are invited to participate, and of course, music lovers are welcome to come and enjoy the music!
Address : 18-24 Clerk Street, EH8 9HX
facebook.com/TheDogHouseEdinburgh
Enjoy street food and dancing at Cabaret Voltaire
For a casual night out, opt for the street food at Cabaret Voltaire’s café, before heading downstairs for drinks and dancing. The menu, created by Harajuku Kitchen’s permanent chefs, offers customers typical Japanese street food, while the basement club hosts a wide variety of DJs, concerts and theme nights.
Address: 36-38 Blair Street, EH1 1QR
thecabaretvoltaire.com
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