The Best Nightclubs in Edinburgh
Showered, shaved, dressed, and ready to go out and start the weekend with a massive bang? Well, here are the best nightclubs in Edinburgh you should check out if you’re still unsure where you’ll end up.
Skiddle Staff
Last updated: 21st Jun 2023
If you find yourself in Auld Reekie, and are in desperate need of hittin’ the town, dancing all night long and polishing off a drink or two while you’re at it, you’re in the perfect place. With a multitude of events waiting for you to step into their world, we thought we’d show you the best clubs in Edinburgh where huge soundscapes, visual eccentricities, and hedonistic fun reign supreme.
From sprawling warehouse complexes to legendary party gaffs to smaller more intimate affairs, the Edinburgh club scene has it all. So, have a scroll down, click on the links provided to check out what's on, and get your tickets booked. If you aren't at one of these clubs come the weekend, you're doing something wrong!
Image: The Liquid Room on Facebook
Where: 9C Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 2HE
The Liquid Rooms is one of Edinburgh’s most famous clubbing and live music venues, having seen artists and DJs from just about any genres you can imagine, including Coldplay, Foals, MGMT, Amy Winehouse, and Dizzee Rascal. Perfect for heavy nights, there's a good-sized outdoor area to cool off, catch your breath and chat pure rubbish to a stranger before heading back to the balcony that overlooks the dancefloor, so you can easily get back to your mates.
Find tickets for events at The Liquid Rooms - here
Image: The Mash House on Facebook
Where: 37 Guthrie St, Edinburgh EH1 1JQ
Situated in the Cowgate, in close proximity to the Royal Mile and Grassmarket, this former church, which has been extended and extensively refurbished, is The Mash house, a large multi-purpose venue that is truly one of the city's coolest. With rooms across three floors, this one is a proper party central with regular techno, house, and trance nights that will suit every facet of raver. Check the link below and get yourself down to one of their many epic nights and get you and your pals down and dirty to the funky beat.
Find tickets for events at The Mash House - HERE
Image: Royal Highland Centre on Facebook
Where: Ingliston, Newbridge EH28 8NB
Although not a nightclub in the traditional sense, the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh is pretty much THE place to go to see the biggest touring DJs live. It is actually Scotland's largest indoor & outdoor venue; a mass warehouse complex next to Edinburgh Airport. Raves are set inside the huge rave space that doesn't skimp on sound or visuals, and festivals are regularly held in the outdoor space, which is as picturesque as it is perfect for a festival site. Whilst not a normal nightclub, if you want to boogie to the biggest and best, the Royal Highland Centre is the place to be.
Find tickets for events at Royal Highland Centre - HERE
Image: La Belle Angele on Facebook
Where: 11 Hastie's Cl, Edinburgh EH1 1HJ
La Belle is a 600-capacity venue perfect for live music, clubbing and other creative projects such as art. The venue was originally established back in the 90s but was sadly lost in a fire in 2002. La Belle opened its doors again in 2015 and shot back to popularity thanks to its ability to attract almost anyone with different themed nights, liveliness and, of course, live music too. And if it all gets a bit too much, there’s an outdoor area you can recharge in before heading back in for more carnage.
Find tickets for events at La Belle Angele - HERE
Image: Sneaky Pete's on Facebook
Where: 73 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JW
While Sneaky Pete’s is a brill venue for live music (the best in the UK, according to Oasis/High Flying Birds’ Noel Gallagher), it also has a cracking club atmosphere with some of the best DJs and enviable club nights. An intimate club that can only fit about 100 people, Pete’s is a great spot for those who prefer intimate sets compared to huge, maze-like venues where you can’t even see the DJ. Many genres are represented during Tuesdays Popular Music nights along with tunes by Anderson .Paak, Iggy Pop, Bowie, Madonna, Grace Jones, Lizzo, Tame Impala, and Kendrick Lamar.
Find tickets for events at Sneaky Pete's - HERE
Image: Cabaret Voltaire on Facebook
Where: 36-38 Blair St, Edinburgh EH1 1QR
Another venue that has been dominating the scene for some years now, Cabaret Voltaire is one of the best clubs in Edinburgh with that irresistible underground vibe. But that might be helped by the fact the club is literally underground. The club is open every day of the week, and you can always catch exciting new DJs and bands spanning a bunch of genres. In fact, the venue cares so little about genres, they claim to specialise in “loud music” as opposed to any specific sound. With a small, intimate space below the ground, friendly staff, and exposed brick walls, you’ll instantly feel like you’re in the coolest, best nightclub in Edinburgh.
Find tickets for events at Cabaret Voltaire - HERE
Image: WhyNot Edinburgh on Facebook
Where: 14 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2PF
There isn’t much WhyNot doesn’t have. The multi-award-winning club has the main room with a huge sound system, unreal lighting, two bars and a huge dance floor. We doubt you'll have experienced anything like the LED room, a room with thousands of wirelessly controlled LED lights. And The Garden is the outdoor space, which you'll definitely need to retreat to after dancing for hours on end. And when it comes to tunes, you can usually expect hip hop and RnB in the LED room, and club classics, house and techno. As one of Edinburgh's best clubs (and most popular) WhyNot is definitely worth a visit.
Find tickets for events at WhyNot - HERE
Image: The Hive Nightclub on Facebook
Where: 15-17 Niddry St, Edinburgh EH1 1LG
Often find yourself turning down nights out because you’re skint? Or are you plagued with regret every Sunday morning you open your banking app? We’ve got your new favourite Edinburgh club right here. The Hive is known for being cheap, with free entry from Sunday to Thursday and free entry on Friday and Saturday if you get there before 10 pm. And it doesn't matter what genre you're into because Hive represents just about all of them with nights dedicated to pop and chart tunes, indie, rock, emo, alt, pop-punk, 90s and 00s pop, RnB, and they even take requests! Absolutely stunning.
Find tickets for events at The Hive - HERE
Image: The Bongo Club on Facebook
Where: 66 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JX
The Bongo Club is one for the tougher clubbers. If you want to do your hair up nice, put on your best outfit and have a relaxed experience, this is simply not the club for you. The Bongo Club is known for its hardcore, sweaty punters and the wildest club nights with a range of genres such as funk, soul, drum and bass, house, disco, hip hop and more. And with regular nights such as the Midnight Bass event on Tuesdays, you can become a regular, checking out music that suits you weekly. Going strong since 1996, the club has gained an outstanding reputation since its beginnings, particularly among creatives, young people and students.
Find tickets for events at The Bongo Club - HERE
Photo: Shanghai Club on Facebook
Where: 16a George St, Edinburgh EH2 2PF
The Shanghai Club is a nightclub with a touch of Oriental aesthetics. Since 2006, the award-winning venue has proved itself as one of the best nightclubs in Edinburgh. The rowdy club is down in the basement of a fancy hotel and is home to a cracking modern sound system, and a popular student-focused night every Wednesday. In the way of music, expect RnB, garage, hip hop, electronic music, and pop tunes. If you’re looking for a big blowout, Shanghai Club is a great choice with booths, a VIP space, karaoke packages, and a private bar.
Find tickets for events at Shanghai Club - HERE
Heading out to Edinburgh this weekend? Stay safe, have a cracking time and check out some of the clubs mentioned here. As the best clubs in Edinburgh, you know it’ll be impossible to have a bad night.
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
Header: The Liquid Room on Facebook
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