Fun and entertainment Scotland

Good pubs are not uncommon but such a beer garden is a blessing in Edinburgh. On sunny days, especially when there is a match, its huge outdoor tables are stormed and the atmosphere is guaranteed. For the rest of the year, the pretty 18th century house covered with ivy is more than a bargain and many students enjoy the fireplace and the games on offer, over a homemade beer, a good burger, quesadillas or nachos to share. A huge classic!

Inaugurated in 1867 and equipped with a Victorian auditorium, it is one of Glasgow's premier arts and music venues. Glasgow's Theatre Royal performs both renowned plays written by Oscar Wilde and more recent productions. Opera, classical music and ballets by authors such as Dvorak and Tchaikovsky are also programmed. The Scottish Ballet and the Scottish Oprera are regularly performed there. Good to know: children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult, and children under 5 years of age are not allowed.

It is probably the most famous nightclub in the capital, with parties every day. The bowels of Old Town lend themselves admirably to the hottest nights and sharp DJs ensure the show. The music and therefore the atmosphere changes every night. You come here for a young and wild atmosphere, with many nooks and crannies and always a lot of people. The consoles are not too expensive, the cocktails are well prepared and the team is as friendly as they are helpful. Good plan: depending on the evening, admission may be free. Either way, it's cheap.

This popular café offers good snacks throughout the day. The menu is creative and comprehensive, with toasties, salads and several cakes. You can also come in the morning for breakfast. Each day, you will find your suggestions on a large board, which add to the already varied menu. The beautiful stone house hides a pleasant pastel-coloured room, which is divided into two areas, with an extra terrace in front.

This festive establishment is housed in an old and spacious church. Fervent promoter of Scottish culture, he organizes every Friday and Saturday ceilidh sessions, the famous traditional national dance, with drinks, 3 courses, traditional dance & music, then DJ. Concerts take place every night of the week, at different sessions: 4pm, 7pm and 10pm. You will also be able, upon registration, to offer you the unusual experience of a cocktail masterclass. Finally, fans will appreciate the broadcasts on the many match nights.

The building is modern and somewhat lacking in soul, but has the advantage of being superbly located in the heart of the Glen Nevis. It is therefore an ideal address for those who stay nearby and cannot or do not want to push to the city centre. Several local beers are available, such as those from Loch Ness Brewery, and there is also a good selection of whiskies. You can also have lunch and dinner thanks to a traditional pub food menu.

Here's a well-known Perth venue that opened in a former foundry where metal vats, pulleys and face masks still have their place in the large, dimly lit room. Locals come here to watch sport, chat and play pool while enjoying a draught or a dram. On the food side, there are some fairly well-prepared snacks here, such as pizza and burgers, or generous portions of home fries (the halloumi fries do the job well).

The Bow Bar no longer has its reputation among the public houses of the capital. Dubbed by CAMRA and consumers, it was created in 1987 and still offers about 200 single malts and about fifteen real ales. He even holds his own beer festival during the summer. Decorated with old advertisements and mirrors, its unique little room lacks space at weekends and you often have to stand on your feet. Its location in the friendly West Bow is very appreciable. Good plan: "whisky wednesdays" with whiskies available only on Wednesdays.

The low ceiling and the huge exposed stones betray the age of this building, one of the oldest in the port of Leith. Built in the 15th century, it has seen many sailors pass through its lair to eat, sleep and water their evenings. Today, its intimate atmosphere, full of history, is still as famous as ever. We enjoy four real ales, but also good food (local suppliers, fresh products). The tables are logically quickly taken by storm and you can sit outside when the weather permits.

Yellow walls, raw light, school benches and floor carpet, the Royal Oak is a small neighborhood pub with no shades. The rooms are talkative and everyone seems to know each other. At the counter, many Scottish beers, including three from the mcewans brewery. Every night, musicians take their instruments to ensure the atmosphere and the success of this address that attracts traditional music lovers.

This small corner room doesn't let anything show through its blue front, but live music has been played here since 1942! Every evening and sometimes even during the day, lovers of folklore and authenticity can enjoy themselves here. Several instruments are logically brandished behind the bar and a lot of pictures are distributed in the room. If you're still not convinced, Sandy Bell's serves six real ales and several other draught beers. There is also a nice selection of single malts and the malt of the month offers good value for money.

This address is among the most famous in Edinburgh for its excellent musical programming. A lot of contemporary plays are performed there. Orchestral or chamber music, intimate jazz groups, musicians freely revisiting Celtic folklore, acoustic sessions of American songwriters: everyone will find what they are looking for. A program to be closely followed by lovers of contemporary music! It is also, to the delight of architecture lovers, a fine example of a Georgian style building.

King's Theatre was built in 1905 by William Stewart Cruikshank. It has become one of the most popular theaters in the capital. With an Edwardian architecture, it offers an auditorium of 1,300 seats. It has been lucky enough to host such stars as Stanley Baxter, Rikki Fulton and Jimmy Logan. Despite its popularity, it remains a community theater. The program is varied, there is something for everyone, at the King's Theater you will have the opportunity to see musicals, dance, opera and unique plays.

A varied musical programme awaits the curious ears in this beautiful building built in 1914. Classical and contemporary operas, pop, jazz, rock, family shows and contemporary music stars, the Usher Hall welcomes them all, with no less than 2,200 spectators. The program is rich and varied: remember to consult it and include a concert in your stay planning! On Sundays, classical music concerts are offered. The Usher Hall also hosts other annual events and exhibitions.

An institution of the City of Edinburgh, opened since 1995. Here you will find Scottish and international contemporary comedies. On Sundays, free shows are often scheduled early in the afternoon. To avoid missing these opportunities, please refer to the "listing what's" section of their website.

This pub restaurant is ideally located in the heart of Stockbridge, near the picturesque Stockbridge Bridge. No matter what time of day you spend, you're tempted to curl up in the big leather armchairs to drink a coffee or get closer to the bar to order a beer. In the evening, you can sit down under tapestries decorated with Lichtenstein-style pop art motifs to drink cocktails, whiskies or wines in an arty, friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

You don't just stumble in here, the bar is hidden in a basement. The ingredients of this seemingly innocuous address are: creatively blended cocktails (around £8), a wide choice of wines, beers, ciders and spirits (a page of gins and a page of whiskies), great DJ sets on Friday and Saturday nights and a handful of die-hard fans who keep the place buzzing. Sure to be here in a good place, these inveterate night owls will tell you that they escape the "did you see me" atmosphere of the bars of George Street.

This real area is hidden in a basement in Solicitors's small quarter. Covered with parquet flooring and wood panelling, he has all traditional features, including a portrait of Sir Walter Scott who watches over the chimney and to whom he owes his name, drawn from the eponymous novel. The room is warm and bottled filled with a large dozen, beer as ciders. Tuesday evening belongs to poker players and Wednesday to quiz fans, but it is Thursday at 21 a. m. that visitors are the most numerous with folk music sessions.

The Bailie is an institution, as it has been a bar since the 1870s, formerly known as the "Grand Bar". It was, for a time, a place reserved for men. Today, it is obviously open to everyone. You will appreciate its wide variety of beers, spirits (many whiskies) and wines, and its pub-style, traditional and hearty dishes (attention: the kitchens close at 10pm). Animations are regular: quizzes on Thursday evenings, live music on weekends, sports events broadcast..

In the heart of the old town's bar district, the Hôtel du Vin bar stands back in an inner courtyard. It's impossible to do it by chance! What a pleasure to settle in this charming and typically British lounge with its fireplace, its leather armchairs with a comfortable curve, its street lamps diffusing a soft light and its whisky library. Cigar lovers can also be suggested whisky/cigar combinations, for a successful blend of flavours. The jealously hidden address of the dandies!

MacGregor's Bar is one of the last bars open in Inverness. Its franchise has been awarded several times, such as "Best Bar in Scotland" and "Best Music Bar in Scotland". More than a bar, it is a place of conviviality, gustatory, cultural and musical adventure. It organises whisky tasting-discovery sessions and regularly offers a variety of concerts, where all types of music have their place. You will also drink excellent local beers and gins. It is also a restaurant with a copious and gourmet pub food.

A tea room in a garden center... And why not! Especially when the tea room in question is located in a pleasant veranda and offers a breathtaking view, hence its name. They serve you sandwiches, quiches, soups or salads at lunchtime, as well as a nice assortment of home-made pastries. The atmosphere is family, and simplicity is the order of the day. Take advantage of your visit to do a little shopping in the adjoining store: between colorful decorative objects and local products, there's a lot of cracks in the air..

Like a clandestine lair, a little off the beaten track, this bar plays the mystery, the underground and the magic of spontaneous encounters. The interior is dimly lit - just the glow of a blue neon light - as if you were underwater. You will frequent this establishment for a moment out of this world. Music of course adds to the atmosphere. And once is not customary, we will advise you to take a tour in the surrealist toilets of this extraordinary place. As for drinks, dare exoticism and creative cocktails.

CCAC for Cigars Ale Scotch Café. This is the program of this establishment created in 2013. Combine beer, scotch whisky and coffee with cigars: and why not? That's what the two managers, who are used to these weddings, said to each other before they started. That, and that they wanted to change their lives. And also that they wanted to propose something new. On the cigar side, the selection goes to the best Cuban cigars, classic or surprising. As for beer, whisky and coffee, excellence is also required for a real hedonistic tasting.

This little pub doesn't serve the biggest choice of beers, with only one real ale, but it is an authentic local and all things Scottish. It is easily overlooked but it would be a mistake to forget it. From the outside, a "Theme Bar" sign protrudes from the white façade and precedes a dark wooden room, where the warm atmosphere is maintained by the regulars who come to play darts and keep the jukebox going. Concerts are regularly offered there: check their Facebook page.

The Merchant Bar at the Bosville Hotel is probably the best pub in Portree for the setting and the beers served. Here you can enjoy several products from the Skye Brewery and a good number of single malts in a small, long room where the large stones and heating stoves set the scene. You will also find an excellent selection of Scottish gins and, of course, single malts from the island. You can also sample the much-loved - also award-winning - Thistly Cross farmhouse Cider, which is of course draught-proofed.

This typical two-roomed venue attracts many locals and tourists in the evenings. Its decorated windows, low ceiling and maritime inspiration create a nice style and the few beers and single malts do the rest. It is also possible to have lunch on the spot between 12h and 14h30: pub food on the menu and at a low price! The establishment claims to be a "real Scottish pub", so sit back and enjoy the place, while playing darts or dominoes, why not. Come and soak up the sporting atmosphere on match nights.

A member of the large Wetherspoon family, this pub is much larger and less traditional than its counterparts, but it is an excellent spot on the port, right next to the ferry terminal. Here you are sure to find space and, above all, the largest selection of Scottish real ales in the city, at the best prices. Single malt lovers will not be outdone either and will get their money's worth. The establishment is ideal for learning about island and highland beers and whiskies, or for a low-cost bite to eat.

A bit off-centre, it's a nice pub with a well-chosen playlist and an interesting selection of beers. You can enjoy some of the products of the Arran Brewery, which can be sampled in the room with its thick carpet and walls covered with numerous paintings and photographs. The fireplace warms up in winter and the reception is smiling for regulars and visitors alike. There's a big sign announcing the hotel from the road. For the small and large hollow, a Pub food card is served. Animations are proposed every evening.

It's the home of a lot of people in Rothesay. There are several draught beers and three hand-pulled beers, including one from the Bute brewery. Pictures from the past and present show the island in its best light and the setting is typical of a typical pub, with thick tartan carpeting, wood everywhere and several small spaces separated by the long bar. The food is classic for this kind of establishment: fish & chips, burgers, magpies, fish, pasta... The staff is friendly and the atmosphere warm, as it should be!

This Wetherspoon pub has been set up in a beautiful granite building and is named after the local architect Archibald Simpson, who designed it. It was once the headquarters of a bank and the interior has retained many of the beautiful features of days gone by in its high ceilinged room. At the counter there are 12real ales on display, honouring many Scottish breweries at the best possible price in town. The menu, which includes snack and pub food, is wide brewed and offers vegetarian, light, gluten free options...

The world-famous Scottish brewery Brew Dog was born in Aberdeen and it is only natural that it has one of its best bars there. The interior is quite classic in the spirit of the brand, with lots of wood, metal, stone and small lanterns hanging from the ceiling. There are about fifteen different pressures available. You hesitate between several beers? Ask to taste them... And if you're hungry, know that their pizzas are delicious and, like the great restaurants that match food and wine, you can match pizzas and beers.

Opened in 2012, the superb St Andrews micro-brewery here runs an excellent pub that is both typical and trendy. The long space is very cosy and wood dominates both the floor and the counter. There are 16 draught beers, many of them from the house. There are also more than 170 different bottled beers, about 30 whiskys and bourbons, and as many gins. Lovers of real ales won't pass by. You can also taste food in the pub food spirit, very correct and good value for money.

This friendly and cosy pub consists of two bars: the Ben Bar and the Jacobite Lounge. We particularly recommend the latter, which offers a nice trip back in time with its cosy living room look, sofas, armchairs, low ceiling, heating stove and Highland paintings. There are on average three real ales and the large terrace facing the loch is very popular in summer. Traditional live music, rock and ceilidh concerts are regularly organised and announced on the pub's Facebook page.

This former hotel is a large Wetherspoon pub, with up to 10 real ales available. Often from the Cairngorm Brewery or An Teallach Brewery side, they are unbeatable prices and are enjoyed in a long dark room full of small nooks and crannies for groups. The pub is also a restaurant, with an extensive menu, designed to satisfy all eating profiles: vegetarian suggestions, light suggestions, gluten-free dishes. Attention, some areas near the slot machines are not allowed for children.

Voted pub of the year in Edinburgh by the famous CAMRA in 2017, the Stockbridge Tap offers no less than 17 draught, over 70 single malts and over 20 gins. As its name suggests, it is located in the pleasant neighbourhood of Stockbridge and is only a few metres from the Water of Leith. Many of the beers come from small breweries throughout Britain and it sometimes organises beer festivals. The long hall is bright and has plenty of room. We also eat there very well: beautiful boards with generous burgers.

This small brick house was once the waiting room of a ferry link between Leith and Aberdeen. It has retained its character and has taken advantage of its location to install its terrace on the waterfront and take possession of the several rooms. A huge slate unrolls the choice of wines and the very complete selection of whiskies. Just like its sister store in the West End, Teuchters is putting the finishing touches to the real ales and also includes a restaurant section: A Room in Leith. We're sure you'll fall in love with both addresses!

Endless flowers and small colourful statues sounding their trumpets signal this pub overlooking the beginning of Leith Walk. The theme of cinema and theatre is reflected in the posters framed on the red walls, featuring Mamma Mia or Mary Poppins. The dark wood countertop is richly crafted in a square shape in the centre of the space, with crystal chandeliers hanging all around. Count five real ales and about thirty single malts. There are a few tables outside, at the entrance, for smokers.

This small corner shop, owned by the same family since 1896, a stone's throw from Princes Street, is a festival of gilding and good taste. The balustrade of the mezzanine gives an air of a 19th century theatre and the ornate ceiling is very harmonious. There is a choice of a dozen draught keg beers, a dozen cask ales (à la tireuse) and a very impressive menu of craft beers and other bottled beers (nearly 450!). The proximity of the Café Royal makes it possible to make a mini pub crawl very aesthetic and epicurean.

On the edge of West End, a few minutes from Murrayfield Stadium, this large pub is located on a level room, with its steel pillars and bare brick walls. Named after the Caledonian Brewery not far from here, it offers a full range of bottled beers and eight pressures, mainly from microbreweries such as Black Isle, Cromarty, Fyne Ales or Magic Rock. The clientele is mainly composed of amateurs but grows a lot on match nights. The food is also quite famous and there is also a good selection of wines and whiskies.

Hailed by CAMRA for its six changing real ales, Thomson's bar is a very traditional pub in the West End, not far from Haymarket station and the business part of the district. It boasts a very authentic style, with its beautiful engraved oak furniture and many period photos and advertisements. The real ales change regularly, beers of the week are offered, and the drinks menu offers a wide choice, especially in whiskies. Magpies (meat pies) are a very popular speciality here.

Despite its English name, the Cumberland has all the characteristics of a typical Scottish public house in New Town: elegant woodwork, dark green leather seats, mirrors and brewery posters. Its sheltered beer garden is very pleasant but you can also take a seat on the terrace at the front. Seven beers come mainly from small Scottish producers such as Orkney Brewery, Stewart Brewery or St. Andrews Brewery. Other larger names are also served.

This veritable underground labyrinth is a huge success in Edinburgh thanks to its low prices and non-stop activity all week long. There are several bars and halls where you can listen to pop, indie, electro, rock, metal or drum and bass. There's something for everyone, and it never lets up at the weekend. Many evenings are free, and if they are paid for, they are often not paid for until after 11pm. Each day of the week has its own program: mixed up Mondays, trash Tuesdays, cookie Wednesday...

The Liquid Room is one of the favourite scenes of Edinburgh's youth, which can be found up to 800 on two floors and a large balcony. The dance floor is huge and many hip hop artists, including some of the world's best DJs and bands (Calvin Harris, Kaiser Chiefs, Black Eyed Peas...) have performed there live. It must be said that the establishment, born in 1997, has had time to build a good reputation! Club nights are very classic and always attract a lot of partygoers. All genres are welcome: techno, dubstep, drum & bass.

The Dirty Dick's is playing the card of a crazy decoration at the end of Rose Street. Paintings, golf clubs, musical instruments, kitchen utensils, whisky boxes, caps, statuettes and many more: the whole forms an overcrowded bric-a-brac, typical of a pub, in a dark but warm atmosphere. Red benches are placed on the large floor slabs to welcome customers who have come to drink one of the three hand-pulled beers. They eat copious and well-prepared pub food. Careful, the establishment is quickly taken over.

This vast Wetherspoon chain storefront is located on George Street and attracts a lot of people for the price of its many real ales, whiskies and gins, unbeatable in Edinburgh. A few paintings, book shelves and colonnades give the place its cachet under a high wrought ceiling, worthy of an opera house, in a huge hall. The pub is much larger and less personal than other local addresses, but it remains a must for discovering Scottish beers at a lower cost.

As his name indicates, the Last Drop is located right next to the site where public executions were used on the Grassmarket. It even seems that servers would have heard ghosts calling their name when they were there alone… However, it is unlikely that this will happen to you because, like its plethora of neighbors, this pub is particularly popular at any time of the day and does not distil at night. Its interior is a witness of the past, with a fresco recalling the history of the places and its old wooden frame.

This hotel pub dates back to 1793 and is part of the long tradition of the inns, with a local theme and oriented on the oval balloon. Re-opened in 2019 after renovation work, it still offers an authentic atmosphere, but rejuvenated and modernized. The sport is shown on the big screen and there are three real ales, as well as other draught beers. A lounge area is intended to be quieter and there is also a restaurant area. You will also be able to stay in one of the 10 rooms (with bathrooms) of the establishment.

Also known as the Exchange Inn, the Canon is a small, lively pub that attracts sports and beer lovers, with a minimum of two real ales. The stone walls and the dark wooden ceiling are period and the fireplace warms up in winter. Here you can eat some snacks, hot dogs and other typical pub dishes freshly cooked. The welcome is warm and the staff always friendly. The wi-fi is free. The decoration is based on rugby and local history, children are not allowed, but dogs are.