Nightlife
Edinburgh's nightlife comes alive during its many festivals but
the rest of the year a more subdued, trendy night scene fills in
the empty spaces. There is no central nightlife district in
Edinburgh and instead a few different neighbourhoods offer slightly
different night atmospheres.
Despite Old Town's name, the district has new and trendy areas such
as Cowgate and Grassmarket. Both of these are popular bar-hopping
destinations. Great live bands and folk music is best heard in both
these areas and surrounding small alleys and walkways.
The seafront area of Leith shares a trendy and upmarket feel
although, like many areas, it competes with traditional bars and
old pubs. After work watering holes dot the Edinburgh streets of
most neighbourhoods as they have done for centuries. These are
still popular local haunts, a great place to begin an evening or
end a day.
Edinburgh enjoys a relaxed nightlife atmosphere which is shared in
lax rules and drinking hours. Most bars stay open until one to
three in the morning, and much later for festivals.
