5 live music in Edinburgh, editor-picked by TableJourney. All Edinburgh nightlife.
The Jazz Bar ★ 4.7
Old Town · 1a Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1HR
The basement of an 1860s Chambers Street building has been the city's most reliable seven-nights-a-week jazz, blues and funk room since musician Bill Kyle opened it.
Tip: The late set at 23:30 is when the room loosens up, get there for the early jazz at 20:00 to grab a banquette seat.
The Voodoo Rooms ★ 4.6
New Town · 19a West Register Street, Edinburgh EH2 2AA
The opulent first-floor Ballroom above the Cafe Royal off West Register Street is one of the city's most beautiful live rooms, with album launches, cabaret and jazz nightly.
Tip: The Speakeasy side bar is the spot for cocktails before a show, and the Ballroom acoustics reward standing centre rather than the side balconies.
Whistle Binkies ★ 4.2
Old Town · 4-6 South Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1LL
The reclaimed South Bridge vaults run live bands every night until 03:00, free before midnight Friday and Saturday, the canonical Cowgate-area late-night gig stop.
Tip: Up to six acts on a Friday or Saturday, the late slot from 01:00 is when the room tightens, arrive after 23:00 to skip the early covers.
Bannerman's ★ 4.3
Old Town · 212 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1NQ
The catacomb pub on Cowgate is Edinburgh's home of live rock seven nights a week, vaulted rooms with flagstone floors and flags hung from the stone ceilings.
Tip: Get to the back stone vault for the loudest mix, and the front bar stays open after the gig room closes if you want a slower pint.
Sandy Bell's ★ 4.7
Old Town · 25 Forrest Road, Edinburgh EH1 2QH
The Forrest Road pub has been the headquarters of the Edinburgh folk session for sixty years, nightly informal sessions in a tiny room with no stage and no microphones.
Tip: Stand at the back if you want to sing along, the players take the front banquette and rotate tunes without a setlist.