Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
11
Sandy Bell's
Live folk or traditional music is played here virtually every night
from about 9pm and all day Saturday and Sunday. This small and unassuming pub
near the Museum of Scotland is a landmark for Scottish and Gaelic culture.
25 Forrest
Rd.
&
0131/225-2751.
Bus: 2 or 42.
Rock, Pop & Jazz
Usher Hall (p. 136) hosts some major rock and pop acts. Although not listed below,
Murrayfield Stadium,
the Scottish national rugby stadium, hosts the biggest of
international acts—such as Oasis or rock dinosaurs like the Rolling Stones.
Corn Exchange
About 3.6km (2 miles) from the city center, this venue was
meant to compete with the likes of Glasgow's Barrowland ballroom. No comparison,
really, but it is a good medium- to small-size hall (3,000 capacity) to see rock and
pop performers, such as Radiohead and Travis, and acts with more cultlike follow-
ings, such as Amy MacDonald, the Streets, and Interpol.
11 New Market Rd.
&
0131/477-
3500.
www.ece.uk.com. Bus: 35. Suburban train: Slateford.
HMV Picturehouse
The building here has had a few incarnations as a nightclub
over the years, but now it seems well established as a place for gigs by the likes of
Dizzee Rascal, Little Boots, or Seth Lakeman. Club nights occupy the space when
there's no live music.
31 Lothian Rd.
&
0131/221-2280.
www.edinburgh-picturehouse.co.uk. Bus:
1, 22, 30, or 34.
The Jazz Bar
This basement bar is owned by a jazz drummer, who occasion-
ally sits in with performers (a few of them internationally renowned). The only
purpose-built space dedicated to jazz in the city.
1A Chambers St.
&
0131/220-4298.
www.
thejazzbar.co.uk. Cover £3-£10. Bus: 3, 5, 8, or 29.
The Liquid Room
With space for less than 1,000, this is probably Edinburgh's
best centrally located venue for seeing the sweat off the brows of live acts. Both local
bands and international acts, such as the Lee “Scratch” Perry, play here. Shut due to
a fire in 2009, its reopening was anticipated in 2010.
9c Victoria St.
&
0131/225-2564.
www.liquidroom.com. Bus: 35.
Dance Clubs
Clubbing is not quite as huge as it was in the 1980s and 1990s, but it probably draws
more people than the folk, jazz, and classical music scene combined. Here is just a
sampling of what is typically going on in the clubs around Edinburgh.
Bongo Club
Offering a varied music policy throughout the week—funk, dub,
and experimental—this venue has more reasonably priced drinks than many. Open
daily 10pm to 3am.
Moray House, 37 Holyrood Rd.
&
0131/558-7604.
www.thebongoclub.co.uk.
Cover up to £8. Bus: 35.
Cabaret Voltaire
This club's mix includes house, indie, and techno—plus live
bands 10 times a month.
36-38 Blair St.
&
0131/220-6176.
www.thecabaretvoltaire.com. Cover
up to £12. Bus: 35.
Po Na Na
This is the Edinburgh branch of a successful chain of clubs in Britain.
The theme is a Moroccan casbah with decor to match, thanks to wall mosaics, brass
lanterns, and artifacts shipped in from Marrakech. The dance mix is hip-hop and
funk or disco and sounds of the '80s.
43B Frederick St.
&
0131/226-2224.
www.ponana.co.
uk. Daily til 3am. Cover up to £5. Bus: 80.
