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Free Festival Venues

Have a look around shows at our 2023 Fringe venues!

Click here for the Venue Map at the bottom of this page.


32 Below

32 Below (Fringe Venue 442)

32b West Nicolson Street. Phone: 0131 667 7533

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 Bar Food WiFi AirCon All ages until 6pm, then 18+ only

32 Below and sister venues The Counting House and Pear Tree form a complex featuring shows in three performance spacesand a huge outdoor courtyard. 32 Below is located right in the heart of the area most associated with the Fringe, within seconds of the venues in George Square and Bristo Square


Bar 50

Bar 50 (Fringe Venue 151)

Within A&O Edinburgh City Hostel, 50 Blackfriars Street. Phone: 0131 524 1989

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 Accessible Bar Food WiFi All ages until 10pm, then 18+ only

Located within the five-star A&O Edinburgh City Hostel, Bar 50 serves an eclectic mix of spirits and beers, along with tasty locally sourced food. The menu has dishes for everyone, from stone baked pizza’s to veggie chilli burritos and chicken Caesar salad. There’s pool tables, comfy couches and an outdoor heated smoking area.


Bar Soba

Bar Soba (Fringe Venue 499)

104 Hanover St. Phone: 0131 225 6220

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 Bar Food WiFi AirCon All ages until 8pm, then 18+ only

Bar Soba is a stylish cocktail bar and restaurant. Styled like a Far Eastern drinking den, Bar Soba has Asian artwork and murals, bright seating and a modern take on lantern lighting. Bar Soba serves up classic cocktails with a creative twist and street food inspired by the night markets of South-East Asia, with free shows downstairs through the Fringe in 'Secret Soba'


Brass Monkey

Brass Monkey (Fringe Venue 153)

14 Drummond St. Phone: 0131 556 1961

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 Food 18+ Only

An Easygoing hangout with simple food, a wide selection of drinks and with a cosy and unique back room with large floor mattresses - used for Fringe show through August. The Brass Monkey is right in the middle of the Fringe action, just around the corner from the Festival Theatre.


Cabaret Voltaire

Cabaret Voltaire (Fringe Venue 338)

36-38 Blair Street. Phone: 0131 247 4704

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 Bar Food WiFi 18+ After 6pm

Cabaret Voltaire is a celebration of jiggery pokery spanning two floors at the bottom of Blair street, just of the Cowgate. It resides in a cave and is a world of nooks and crannies, with an eclectic selection of drinks, two bars, with DJ's in the afternoon upstairs, and following the Fringe shows on three dance floors downstairs until 5am. It's right in the centre of the old town for the ultimate Fringe fun!


The City Cafe

The City Cafe (Fringe Venue 85)

19 Blair Street. Phone: 0131 220 0125

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 Bar Food WiFi AirCon All ages until 9pm, then 18+ only

Located on Blair Street, just off of the Royal mile and minutes from the Fringe show, The City Cafe is a fashionable 1950's style café bar right in the centre of town. It has benefited from a complete refurbishment in the last couple of years, and it is right on the doorstep of the hustle and bustle of the Royal mile . The venue serves a wide selection of meals and drinks all day, and there is also a great outdoor drinking area, and new for 2018 - three performance spaces for show downstairs!


The Cocktail Mafia

The Cocktail Mafia (Fringe Venue 245)

15 Charlotte Ln. Phone: 0131 629 1818

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 Accessible Bar Food WiFi AirCon 18+ only

The Cocktail Mafia is an Edinburgh cocktail bar on Charlotte Lane in the heart of the West End. Popular for extraordinary cocktails. A hidden gem serving a huge list of cocktails, while you enjoy the perfect art deco surroundings. Venue is disabled accessible but no disabled toilet.


The Counting House

The Counting House (Fringe Venue 170)

38 West Nicolson Street. Phone: 0131 667 7533

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 Bar Food WiFi All ages until 9pm, then 18+ only

This year the Counting House remains a bustling hub of the Fringe, with two performance spaces and access to the lively bar and Courtyard of the Pear Tree Below. There's more shows in the basement venue 32 Below too. The Counting House is located right in the heart of the area most associated with the Fringe, within seconds of venues in George Square and Bristo Square


Dragonfly

Dragonfly (Fringe Venue 414)

52 West Port (Just off of Grassmarket). Phone: 0131 228 4543

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 Bar Food WiFi Strictly 18+ Only

Dragonfly Cocktail Bar was re-established in 2018 as a revival of the original spirit of the Edinburgh cocktail scene; a laid-back environment where our guests can explore a carefully considered drinks list. An established Fringe venue in the heart of Edinburgh.


Dropkick Murphys

Dropkick Murphys (Fringe Venue 289)

7 Merchant St (Off Candlemaker Row). Phone: 0131 225 2002

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 Bar AirCon 18+ only

Drop Kick Murphy’s is a fantastic Irish themed bar where you will always find a fun and vibrant atmosphere. It is the perfect place to meet friends for drinks and be entertained by eclectic bands.


Eastside

Eastside (Fringe Venue 164)

51a George Street. Phone: 0131 226 2275

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 Bar AirCon No under 5s. Ages 5+ until 6pm, then 18+ only

Three Rooms of Free shows, in a stylish retro venue opposite the Assembly Rooms on George Street. Cool bar, cool drinks and open until late.


The Hanover Tap

The Hanover Tap (Fringe Venue 259)

112 Hanover Street. Phone: 0131 225 2022

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 Bar Food WiFi 18+ only

Located on Hanover Street, The Hanover Tap was completely refurbished in 2019 and it focuses on delivering great beer and food in a comfortable urban environment. Previously this bar was the Jekyll & Hyde, and has been one of the Free Festival's longest running venues - literally just around the corner from George Street and Princes Street Gardens.


Home Bar

Home Bar (Fringe Venue 106)

69 Home St. Phone: 0131 228 3664

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 Bar Food WiFi AirCon All ages until 10pm, then 18+ Only

A unique local neighbourhood bar situated in the heart of Scotland’s Capital City. The stencilled exterior offers a warm welcome into this plush, new bar with a series of weekly events and daily Fringe shows. Come and visit this "Hidden Secret" bar, a short walk from the city centre.


The Pear Tree

The Pear Tree (Fringe Venue 257)

38 West Nicolson Street. Phone: 0131 667 7533

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 Bar Food WiFi All ages until 6pm, then 18+ only

The Pear Tree and sister venues The Counting House and 32 Below form a complex featuring four public bars, six performance spaces, dining area and a huge outdoor courtyard and barbecue area. The Pear Tree is located right in the heart of the area most associated with the Fringe, within seconds of Fringe Central, Assembly at George Square, The Udderbelly, Gilded Balloon and Pleasance Dome venues.


The Raging Bull

The Raging Bull (Fringe Venue 332)

161 Lothian Road. Phone: 0131 228 5558

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 Bar 18+ only

Nestled within the vibrant heart of the city center, in close proximity to the Edinburgh Castle, lies The Raging Bull—an establishment that seamlessly combines sophistication with a welcoming atmosphere. Boasting a strategic location between the fashionable West End district and the perennially sought-after Bruntsfield area, this venue provides an ideal setting for relaxation. The newly renovated bar exudes a distinctive charm, featuring an upstairs area with an eclectic yet inviting ambiance, dedicated to the art of cocktail craftsmanship, with a particular emphasis on the revered Espresso Martini. Downstairs, guests can revel in a private and intimate setting, where they can unwind, savor a drink, and enjoy a host of free Fringe shows.


The Three Sisters

The Three Sisters (Fringe Venue 272)

139 Cowgate. Phone: 0131 622 6802

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 Accessible Bar Food AirCon All ages until 8pm, then 18+ only

Described as “The Free Festival’s version of the Pleasance Courtyard”, the Free Sisters is located on the Cowgate, right in the middle of town. Usually a multi-room venue located around the courtyard, this year there are shows in one room next to the courtyard, which is now an outdoor drinking area full of tables for before and after shows.


West Port Oracle

West Port Oracle (Fringe Venue 75)

27 West Port (Off End of Grassmarket). Phone: 07561 101 984

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 Bar WiFi All ages until 6pm, then 18+ only

Unique Scottish pub run by locals for locals and intrepid travellers. No-nonsense classic cocktails alongside great beer, wine and their own fresh apple juice pressed on the premises. Vegetarian hot dogs with all the trimmings and a playlist of local and international contemporary music make this homely venue a must. Newly opened sister bar to Edinburgh's iconic Paradise Palms.



Free Festival Venues

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