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.
Address: 13 Hope Street, Edinburgh EH2 4EL
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 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.
The arts-trust run Bongo Club just off the Cowgate is the long-running heart of Edinburgh underground clubbing, with weekly drum and bass, dub and disco residencies.
Tip: Cash for the cloakroom moves the queue quickly, and the side door on Cowgate is the shorter wait after midnight on a Saturday.
The intimate 100 capacity Cowgate basement is the city's most consistent stage for new touring guitar bands and late-night club residencies, busy every night of the week.
Tip: The room sells out fast for any name booking, buy in advance and arrive by doors to avoid being turned away at 22:00.
The Blair Street basement carved into Edinburgh's old underground vaults is one of Scotland's most iconic electronic venues, with seven-night-a-week programming.
Tip: The vaulted side rooms run different sounds from the main floor, walk the full venue before committing to one bar queue.
The three-floor Cowgate venue accessed via Hastie's Close is a rustic brick and scaffold space running electronic club residencies, ceilidhs and the odd punk gig.
Tip: Easier to find via the Guthrie Street staircase than the Cowgate side, and the upstairs bar is the quietest spot for between-set drinks.