5 late-night dives in Edinburgh, editor-picked by TableJourney. All Edinburgh nightlife.
The Banshee Labyrinth ★ 4.1
Old Town · 29-35 Niddry Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LG
Self-billed as Scotland's most haunted pub, the labyrinth of vaulted Niddry Street chambers serves cheap beer, free cinema nights and a karaoke room in former medieval cellars.
Tip: The cinema room is free and shows cult films most nights, the back vault has the loudest karaoke if you want to sing without being heard.
The Bow Bar ★ 4.7
Old Town · 80 West Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2HH
The West Bow whisky and cask ale specialist runs a back bar of over 200 Scotch whiskies plus a rotating cellar of Scottish cask, no music and no televisions.
Tip: Ask for one of the bar's own limited bottlings, single cask Highland or Islay releases that are not sold anywhere else in the city.
Whighams Wine Cellars ★ 4.3
New Town · 13 Hope Street, Edinburgh EH2 4EL
The Hope Street basement under the corner of Charlotte Square is a candlelit warren of historic wine-cellar vaults serving Scottish seafood and a deep wine list to late night drinkers.
Tip: Find the entrance under the stair on Hope Street, the back-corner booth in the second vault is the best seat for a long conversation.
Stramash ★ 4.2
Old Town · 207 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JQ
The converted Cowgate church runs free live bands and ceilidh nights until 03:00 every day over two floors, the most reliable late-night live room in the Old Town.
Tip: The Wednesday ceilidh is beginner friendly, the caller walks the room through every dance before the band starts the first reel.
The Royal Oak ★ 4.6
Old Town · 1 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LT
The tiny Infirmary Street pub fits about forty people and has been the heart of the Edinburgh folk scene since the 1960s, traditional song sessions in the upstairs room every night.
Tip: The Sunday night Wee Folk Club is the standout, arrive an hour before the set to get one of the upstairs benches near the singers.