A Guide To Finding Edinburgh Hookups

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Edinburgh Hookup Spots

From the outside, Edinburgh does not seem like a popular nightlife spot, but Scotland's capital city has everything from cabarets to cocktail bars and even local pubs to meet hookups. It's a popular student and tourist destination with plenty of live music performances and late night nightlife options. It can be hard to know where to go and AdultHookup has a guide to finding the best Edinburgh hookups to make your night a good one.

History of Nightlife in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is famous for the live music scene. They have hosted a number of international talent and local DJs and has plenty of live performance venues to check them out. In a city that is famous for brewing, it makes sense that their nightlife started with pubs and bars. These became leisure spots for people to go after work and this tradition has continued today. The 20th century saw a lot of immigration and the forming of tight-knit communities, like the Irish who created their own bars, pubs, and restaurants which helped develop the city's nightlife. Although a lot of brewing has moved out of the city, Edinburgh is still considered the perfect place for a pint. In recent years, Edinburgh has welcomed a new crowd of young professionals which has given the city new life and increased the demands for late-night party spots. It's a little hard to get around so knowing the best Edinburgh hookup spots means knowing what each neighbourhood has to offer.

The major hookup spots are located in the Grassmarket area in the heart of historic Old Town which has a vibrant and lively atmosphere and the crowd to go with it. In the 14th-19th centuries, this area was originally a marketplace, bringing in huge crowds of people and acting as a gathering place for the city. Today it works as a hub of some of the best nightlife and the place to find some of the top Edinburgh hookup bars and offers one of the most iconic views of the city. Other than Grassmarket, there's also Victoria Street and Candlemaker Row which is the place to find cheaper drinks, live music and a vibrant and diverse party atmosphere. For eclectic pubs and bars, head over the Royal Mile, which is also one of the destinations at the annual Edinburgh Festival. Edinburgh has a gallows humour which goes to back to the history of the Royal Mile as a site of public executions and some theme pubs bring that history back to life while offering live music and acoustic performances.

Best Times To Go Out

Since Edinburgh is very popular with the students, then every night is pretty much party night with clubs and bars having special student nights, events and drink deals depending on what time you go out. For everyone else, Thursdays-Saturdays are the best days to check out what Edinburgh has to offer. If you want to check out one of the city's hookup bars then Thursdays or Fridays are the best time to go out. Most places close around midnight or later so getting there around 9 pm will mean that you have enough time to find Edinburgh hookups. For nightclubs and after-hours spots, Fridays and Saturdays after 11 pm are the best time to go out.

Edinburgh Hookup Spots: Directory

If you are searching for a good time and a friendly atmosphere, Edinburgh has everything to offer. From glamorous nightclubs to quirky or traditional pubs, Edinburgh is one of the most exciting cities in the UK. They are constantly developing and growing their nightlife. To help you figure out some new places to find hookups or relive some old favourites, check out the guide below.

The Bongo Club

Type

Nightclub/live venue

Space

Underground, dark, beer garden

Crowd

20 to 30 somethings, alternative

Address

66 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JX

Website

The Bongo Club

Any Notes

Not busy on Sundays or Mondays, hosts a rock 'n roll ping pong event

Brief Description

This underground club is literally located in the basement of the Central Library. The Bongo Club originally floated around the city, going from venue to venue before finding a permanent home with a series of regular club nights. Every night is a different music genre and is a nice change from some of the other clubs that play the same music again and again. On the weekends, The Bongo Club has an interesting clubbing programme which plays a mix of rock, reggae, hip hop, drum 'n bass and soul music.

Liquid Room

Type

Nightclub and music venue

Space

Main dance floor, balcony, second smaller venue and stage

Crowd

20 to 30 somethings, trendy

Address

9C Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 2HE

Website

Liquid Room

Any Notes

Get there early for live performances, smaller venue at the back of the building called the Annexe

Brief Description

This modern nightclub is located in the basement of a 19th-century Victorian church in Old Town. After a fire in 2008, the building went through a major upgrade and reopened in 2010. The interior has not changed much with two levels including a balcony that hangs over the main dance floor so that you can see everything that's going on. It's a very busy venue for live performances and local DJs. It brings in a huge crowd all looking to have a good night out by listening to good music and finding good company. They host a variety of indie and retro club nights as well as high-profile acts.

Sneaky Pete's

Type

Bar and music venue

Space

Stage, grungy murals

Crowd

Mixed ages

Address

73 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JW

Website

Sneaky Pete's

Any Notes

Central venue for Edinburgh music scene, shows new bands

Brief Description

Sneaky Pete's is a well-established institution for the Edinburgh music scene and a prime spot to find hookups. They are a relatively small clubbing venue which hosts live music and performances from the best local bands and DJs in the city. They are also the creators of various music festivals and events that are all centered around giving back to the city by encouraging the live music and clubbing scene. It might look a little rough but it's still one of the best Edinburgh hookup bars.

Cabaret Voltaire

Type

Arts and music venue

Space

Cavernous space, comfortable booths, chill out room

Crowd

20 to 30 somethings, alternative

Address

36-38 Blair St, Edinburgh EH1 1QR

Website

Cabaret Voltaire

Any Notes

Music is very loud

Brief Description

In the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town lives Cabaret Voltaire which specializes in live music. The venue is used differently depending on what day of the week it is including becoming a nightclub which showcases local and international talent. On the weekends, Cafe Voltaire, a speakeasy opens up to the crowd and the drinks pair perfectly with the music. Craft beers and cocktails make up the majority of the large drink menu and will help loosen you up.

Planet

Type

Gay bar

Space

Small venue, snooker table, arcade games

Crowd

Mixed crowd, younger

Address

6 Baxter's Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3AF

Website

Planet

Any Notes

Weekday drink deals, drag queens and karaoke

Brief Description

A local hot spot and one of the best Edinburgh hookup bars. Planet caters to the gay community in Edinburgh but is hetero-friendly and offers a good place to party without judgement. They also host weekly quiz nights that are lots of fun. The crowd is very friendly and welcoming which makes it a safe space to find hookups. It's a good spot for pre-drinking before heading out to some of Edinburgh's premier gay nightclubs.

Dragonfly

Type

Cocktail bar

Space

Small but stylish venue, balcony

Crowd

20 to 30 something

Address

52 West Port, Edinburgh EH1 2LD

Website

Dragonfly

Any Notes

Open til 1am 7 days a week

Brief Description

Just a few minutes away from the tourist-friendly Grassmarket area lies this hidden gem and one of the best Edinburgh hookup bars. Dragonfly was one of the places that really started the cocktail bar scene in Edinburgh and has still remained one of the best places to grab a drink. It looks more like an old pub than a glitzy cocktail den but that's part of its charm. It's filled with friendly staff who know how to mix drinks and get your night started on the right track. You can stay downstairs or take your drink to the upstairs balcony area for a bit of privacy. It's a welcome break from some of the busier nightlife destinations in the city. Try their Espresso Martini or simple gin and tonic for the perfect after-work drink.

CC Blooms

Type

Gay bar

Space

2 levels, 2 bars, 2 dance floors

Crowd

LGBT, mixed crowd

Address

23-24 Greenside Ln, Edinburgh EH1 3AA

Website

CC Blooms

Any Notes

Restaurant by day, semi-casual dress code

Brief Description

CC Blooms, named after Bette Midler's character in Beaches, is the oldest gay venue in the city and it's definitely one of the best Edinburgh hookup bars in the city. It's gone through a redesign and caters to a more upmarket crowd, rebranding itself as a non-exclusive cafe that turns into a drinking den late at night. Don't worry, their late-night clubbing is still around although it's moved downstairs to Lab. They still host drag shows on Sundays and Rabbit Hole on Tuesdays for you to get your fix but it's definitely changed from what it used to be. The music is mainly house and pop music which is perfect to dance to. There's something for everyone at CC Bloom's thanks to its different venues.

The Street

Type

Gastropub

Space

2 levels, heated outdoor smoking areas, nightclub and dance floor in the basement

Crowd

Mixed crowd

Address

2b Picardy Place, Edinburgh EH1 3JT

Website

The Street

Any Notes

Cafe during the day and nightclub at night

Brief Description

If you are looking for a fun bar that is gay-friendly and provides hours of entertainment, look no further than The Street. It gives visitors the best of both worlds with a pub upstairs and a basement club. The basement club is great for dancing with plenty of room to get down and comfy booths when you need to take a load off. The DJ starts spinning at 9 pm and doesn't stop until 1 am which is when the older crowd heads home and younger ones head to another spot. Still, if you are looking for something that gives you a lot to do, The Street is a great option. It also hosts weekly quiz nights and cabaret performances. The atmosphere and decor are what makes The Street one of the best Edinburgh hookup bars.

Panda & Sons

Type

Speakeasy and barbershop

Space

Hidden bookcase entrance, panda-themed decor, knickknacks

Crowd

Mixed ages, trendy

Address

79 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 4NF

Website

Panda & Sons

Any Notes

Drinks are a little expensive

Brief Description

This speakeasy is filled with old school charm. From the outside it looks like a vintage barbershop and it takes a little work to find the bar in the back (it's behind a bookcase). Once inside, you enter into a room with vintage furniture like old lamps, gramophones and old books. Grab a table with a good view to scope out the room and make sure that you try the unique cocktail menu like their signature Birdcage cocktail which involves smoke and a glass birdcage. You will want to sample every single one of these fun and creative cocktails.

Cafe Habana

Type

Gay bar

Space

Main area, downstairs seating area, upstairs balcony

Crowd

Mixed crowd

Address

22 Greenside Place, Edinburgh EH1 3AA

Website

Cafe Habana

Any Notes

Karaoke on Wednesdays

Brief Description

If you are looking for one of the most popular gay hookup bars, check out Cafe Habana. It's a smaller venue which is perfect if you are not a big fan of the larger gay nightclubs. It's also quiet compared to some of the other nightlife in the city which is why it brings in a very mixed group of people. Older people tend to like the relaxed atmosphere while the younger ones use this place as a kickoff to their evening. It's also very popular on Sunday nights. The location of Cafe Habana makes it a great first stop for a night out. The DJs primarily cater to pop and dance music fans.

Lulu

Type

Nightclub

Space

Light up dance floor, sofas, seating areas, VIP area

Crowd

Mixed ages

Address

125b George St, Edinburgh EH2 4JN

Website

Lulu

Any Notes

More expensive depending on what time of the night

Brief Description

If you are looking for a place where you can get dressed up and party, Lulu is the perfect spot for you. It's one of the best places to be on a Saturday night. Located underneath the Tigerlily, Lulu brings back the retro glam of Saturday Night Fever with their upscale decor and colorful dance floor. They primarily play chart-toppers, house, and R&B or really anything that gets the crowd moving. Lulu has even hosted some celebrities with Russell Brand, Girls Aloud and Emelie Sandi being among their famous guests. The majority of the clientele is after-work drinkers and partiers which is something to keep in mind if you are looking for hookups.

The Wee Red Bar

Type

Nightclub

Space

Industrial, small space

Crowd

Mostly students and 20 somethings

Address

ECA Main Building and Hunter Building, 74 Lauriston Pl, Edinburgh EH3 9DF

Website

The Wee Red Bar

Any Notes

Gets a little stuffy when it's packed, hosts indie nights and live bands

Brief Description

This nightclub is actually located in the Edinburgh Arts College which is why it's a popular student destination. It also has cheap drink deals which is why it's a great spot if you are looking to party and meet hookups on a budget. It's been in operation since the early 1980s and is still one of the best Edinburgh hookup bars. They host a range of club nights. Entry and drinks is cheaper before midnight so it's a good idea to get there early. In this small space, the crowd is very comfortable with getting close to each other.

AdultHookup Offers Hundreds Of Hookup Spots Across The UK

As you can tell, Edinburgh is a city with a diverse nightlife. They have tons of institutions that are still popular today. At the same time, they have new hookup bars and hookup clubs opening up to deal with new generations that are looking for new places to party. The city puts a lot into their arts and culture scene, even hosting festivals and club nights that are designed to support local businesses and talent.

Be sure to bookmark Adulthookup.com to keep up-to-date on all the best hookup bars and hookup clubs in the UK.

For more hookup ideas, check out this list of Edinburgh's nightlife scene!

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