All Shows
Have a browse around our venues, to see the best places to hang out in Edinburgh this August - from the fabulous courtyards of the Free Sisters and Pear Tree to nightclubs, caves, bars and tents - there's something for everyone at the Free Festival.
Click here for the Venue Map at the bottom of this page.
All ages until 6pm, then 18+ only
32 Below and sister venues The Counting House and Pear Tree form a complex featuring four public bars, six performance spaces, dining area and a huge outdoor courtyard and barbecue area. Ushers 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.
All ages until 10pm, then 18+ only
Located within the five-star Safestay 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.
Over 18's Only
Located on The Grassmarket, right in the centre of Edinburgh Biddy Mulligan’s offers free Music during the Festival, with a wide range of drinks and food, and an extensive outdoor dining area before 9pm on the Grassmarket.
The Bier Keller is the basement Bar of Picardy Place, inspired by traditional German Beer Halls it has a wide offering of craft beers and German style street food along with knowledgeable friendly staff. Also upstairs is the fine dining of Steak restaurant, and Picardy Place boutique hotel.
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 is a celebration of jiggery pokery spanning two floors (and a third floor for the Fringe) 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!
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 Counting House and sister venues The Pear Tree and 32 Below form a complex featuring four public bars, six performance spaces, plus a huge outdoor courtyard and barbecue area. The Counting House 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.
A fantastic cozy bar and function space at the heart of Home Street, with a wide selection of beers and spirits, along with a tasty food menu.
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.
Located on Victoria Street, Finnegan’s wake is right in the heart of town and seconds from Espionage and the Underbelly. The bar is open all day during the Fringe and serves a huge variety of drinks, and after the Fringe shows finish each day the bar hosts live music and bands all night until very late into the night. Definitely the place to go for a laugh and a party at the Fringe!
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. It is a huge bar and hotel complex, and Edinburgh's premier party venue - open from breakfast time until 3am daily. The venue hosts free Fringe shows in six performance spaces around the venue, including in a marquee and busking in the courtyard. There are also four public bars, indoors and out, a large courtyard space to enjoy a drink outside, and a host of food options, plug giant TV sports screens and also a hotel located just to the side.
All ages until 6pm, then 18+ Only
Ghillie Dhu is a traditional Scottish pub and live entertainment venue serving the finest local produce, ales and premium spirits. Above the bar is the Auditorium, a large Fringe venue with a mixture of free and paid shows during the Festival. Located at the end of Princes Street, the venue is at the heat of Edinburgh's West End.
All Ages until 8pm
Located on the edge of the Bruntsfield Links is the Golf Tavern. Founded in 1456 the Tavern was previously known as the Golf Hotel. It has served many a golf player, and according to Hamilton is: By far the oldest known golfing pub. Sport was encouraged in the vicinity of the inn – cockfighting, boxing and games of chance – and it was natural that the innkeeper had a role in early Scottish golf.
All Ages until 6pm
Established in 2006, The Granary proudly serves hearty food in a comfortable homely setting. Enjoy a memorable dining experience that will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds. Sitting on the front of Leith Shore, we are proud to serve a variety of produce to suit everyone from our rooftop burger to our famous fish and chips. Our bar also boasts a wide range of cocktails, wines and beers.
Located on Hanover Street, The Hanover Tap is a completely new bar for Edinburgh, that 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.
Tokens to gain entry to shows available at the bar. We recommend arriving 30 mins before the show start time to avoid disappointment
All Ages until 10pm, Then Over 18s
A brand new pop-up venue for Fringe 2019, located in the heart of the action on Cowgate, between the Free Sisters and Brewdog
Located on Leith Street, right on the junction with Princes Street and North Bridge, the Newsroom right in the centre of town - a few minutes from the Royal Mile, and close to The Stand, The Waverley Station and the Mound. The shows take place in a stylish basement bar, and is open all day upstairs for drinks, and a wide selection of meals
All Ages
Meeting Point for a walking tour - wait outside The City Chambers
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 Place is a boutique hotel and bar, with a new heated outside terrace - It's the perfect place for a quick lunch, afternoon tea or stylish evening BBQs complete with big screen sports - with a full range of beers, wines and spirits, and free shows all day.
12+ to 6pm, then 18+ only
Situated on the bustling city centre street, at the foot of Edinburgh Castle sandwiched between the stylish West End district and the ever popular Bruntsfield. The Raging Bull is a place where you can relax in stylish yet homely surroundings. The carefully refurbished bar has a Sherlock Holmes theme upstairs with our focus on Craft Beers, World Lagers and Malt Whisky and our downstairs bar named Baker Street Cocktail Bar is the perfect place to go for quality cocktails served in relaxing and private surroundings.
Sofi's Southside (formerly Harry's Southside and The Meadow Bar) Was completely refurbished in 2018. It's been a favourite hang out for Fringe-goers and performers late into the night, and it's new incarnation feels much the same, and much expanded. There's a big selection of drinks, friendly staff and atmosphere, and the venue is close to the Counting House, Udderbelly, Assembly, Gilded Balloon and the Pleasance Dome.
SouthPour is a neighborhood local, serving fresh food, craft drinks and a good dose of local acoustic talent, join us for some of Edinburgh’s finest musician’s sets
A small pub, the smallest in Scotland, with a big selection of Whisky’s on sale from a cabinet in the corner. And during the Fringe the whole bar becomes a Fringe show, entertaining 40 people and a performer. Right in the heart of the Grassmarket, it’s a unique venue well worth a visit (and if it is packed, you can sit in the adjoining Biddy Mulligan’s Bar)
A unique Fringe venue. It's the smallest one in Edinburgh, the world - and it's also a chicken coop. It's also in the Pear tree garden, so enjoy all of the many bars and other stages nearby.