Went as a solo female and had a blast great edm music everyone was polite no creeps a few friendly…read moremen but nothing uncomfortable or weird dance floor opens at 11z

Cab Vol is great if you're into less mainstream music than you'll hear in a 'normal' club. And if…read moreyou don't mind sweat dripping off the low ceilings onto you at least once a minute, or drinking out of plastic cups. I have to honest, it's not my thing. I've been dragged along on a handful of occasions by friends, and each time I go i'm determined that this will be the time I have a great night there and leave at 3am completely converted. It's been four years, and it hasn't happened yet. That has a lot to do with the people that go though, as opposed to the club itself. On tuesdays this place pulls in a lot of "rahs" from Edinburgh Uni, thinking that wearing weird coloured skinny jeans suddenly makes them alternative. It doesn't, and their huge back-combed blonde hair dos look even more ridiculous than normal.

It's not a bar. It's not a club. It's a time machine!…read more No, but... this is true. If I'd actually gone to look in a mirror in this place I'd have expected to see a blunt fringe, pink streaks in my daftly long hair and a Hello Kitty shirt. On the ten year anniversary of my entry into college, a period during which I had a love affair with a bar called Aqualenium, I visited Opium with one of those same college friends and weirdly, spookily, crazily enough the jukebox seemed to consist solely of what was playing on MTV2 between 2000 and 2002. Did it know we were coming?!? Like its namesake, this place has the effect of being somewhat addictive. It's loud, it's fun and it doesn't take itself too seriously. Plus there's nothing remotely scary about it (unless you count the sticky floor and the strange black substance which ended up on my shoes - Chris explained to me that this is what happens in Opium) and it's actually rather welcoming. The cheaps as chips prices appeal to everyone, never mind the students, the night we were there the music was more mass appeal than terrifying, and although it's small there are plenty of corners in which to hang out and people-watch. Anytime I need to feel seventeen again, I'll hotfoot it over here. Just remind me not to look in a mirror for the duration - it's one thing feeling ten years younger, but looking it would involve some major life choices and a bank balance of infinity! Or a stint on a Channel 4 reality show. Neither of which I'm quite ready for yet.

You get what you pay for, simple as…read more Free entry and cheap drinks, a funny mixture of interesting people, two areas with different types of music. It is a no frills, cheap and fun venue for a few drinks or dance.

This is a great music venue, it's small, it's dark and it's kind of hidden away on Guthrie street,…read moreI wasn't even sure if I was at the correct entrance when I showed up because it looked more like a side door with nothing making it stand out apart from a small sign and we waited outside queuing on some steps waiting for entry so this was confusing to me but it's great for small intimate gigs like the one I seen last night of PG Ciarletta, Racheal white and the main man himself Cameron Barnes. the music was pounding and a great night was had by all.

Had a great night last night seeing Stephen Kellogg and The Humour play. Such a beautiful set, and…read moregreat musicians. The venue was small, but perfect for a really intimate gig. We danced our socks off and even learnt a wee tune or two!

I've been to the Liquid Rooms more times than I could count, for all sorts of gigs over the years…read more And I still love it. Sure, your feet will always stick to the floor, but that's just part of the charm of this place. It's quite an intimate space, great for smaller acoustic gigs, but also works really well for electronica etc. There's also a balcony, with its own bar, if you fancy a higher view. For anyone from Glasgow, it's like a cross between Oran Mor and the Fruitmarket. And gets just as hot and sweaty as they do!

Here to see the mighty Brendon Burns during the Fringe, so review based on that, may not be the set…read moreup all year round, buyer beware, etc. etc. Head down Victoria Street, before you get to The Bow Bar (I navigate by pubs, btw) and turn left down an alley, into a courtyard. There's the Liquid Rooms Annexe experience for you! The courtyard part is quite nice, all covered and open air so you can feel continental and drink outside, even with Edinburgh weather attempting to drop every bit of water in the country on you in one go. The bar? I've had way better to be honest. Just cans, bottles and spirits - again, I'm not sure if that's just part of the Fringe set up or not, so it may just be a temporary thing. In any case, at least it's not a shockingly high price to be handed a can, but it is a bit more than you would maybe expect. Venue wise, I liked the Annexe for atmosphere. For a smaller show, this would be ideal - close to the stage (perhaps a little too close to Brendon in some case for the poor folk in the front and second row!) and great sound. It is warm down there though, really warm, so be careful with your hydration in case you take a turn, but other than that, it's fine. It doesn't blow me away, but it does have a little bit of something that not every place does - and that's soul.

Was there to watch a friend preform 7pm till 10 for a rap night (that's what I call it) was a great…read morenight good to see some faces and meet new ones

I much prefer this place to Cab Vol. Hands down. You can't help but automatically compare the two…read moreclubs, what with the low ceilings and slightly more alternative crowd. But The Hive hasn't been overrun with annoying rahs who think that going to dub step or drum & bass nights all of a sudden makes them cool and 'scene'. Last time I was here was for their 90s Chav Night - it was when 'Rythmn is a Dancer' was being re-released and the producers wanted footage of it being played in clubs for the video. So, an entire bottle of fake tan and Lambrini (when in rome, and all that) later, my friends and I donned are tracksuit bottoms - tucked into our sports socks, obviously - scraped our hair up into Croydon Facelift ponytail and headed out the front door. And then realised how ridiculous we looked. Then we all had that horrible panic that we were going to be the only ones there who'd dressed up. But it actually turned out to be a really fun night. Yes, it's a little bit on the scummy side, and yes, the drinks are served in plastic cups, but the drinks impossibly cheap (£1 on weekdays, £1.50 at weekends). And after a few of those, the décor isn't really that important.

The One Below is a club which oozes class…read more Situated below the Rutland Hotel, this club is a place I go when I am suited and want to experience how the other half live! Inside, the club has a number of booths on either side of the bar, a bar which offers a mixture of cocktails (The Full Metal Jacket is one not to be missed by whisky drinkers!) and offers champagnes ranging from £50 a bottle to £450!!! But after staring at prices in the menu for ages at the bar, another surprise awaits you in the booths! Some of the booths have I-pod docks! Yes, bring along your music and turn it up in your own private booth! The I-pod docks again, emphasises the coolness of the place. The One Below, is a great place if you want to experience the suaveness of cool club nights, however indulging in the drinks on offer does come at a heavy price. But for me, well worth a visit every so often!

I disagree with the previous review, I was quite disappointed with One Below after going there for…read morean office party. The drinks were overpriced, even for a trendy place, and the service was quite unimpressive. We sat in one of the private booths which, while a novel concept, were quite uncomfortable and awkward. The idea of plugging in your own iPod for music is clever, but then again you might as well be at home if you're listening to your own stuff. And unfortunately the default music being played is pretty cringeworthy stuff, mostly being low-quality funk. More pretentious than prestigious, One Below is best given a miss by all but the most easily impressed.

Up a small, small alley is a small, small door, leading downstairs to a small, small bar. You get…read morethe drift of where this is going. What isn't small is the feeling and the atmosphere in here. A dance floor with plenty of room - even allowing for pillars in the middle - and 2 good bars (DESPERADOS ON TAP!!!) help create a great environment for a rock show. It's hot, you'll sweat, you'll jump, you'll shout, you'll just rock out as you should at a gig. Put a decent band in here - and when I was in, it was Gun, so you know that was awesome - and the place comes alive. From the vintage TVs decorating the wall behind the bar, to the awesome taste of music in the toilets - John Lee Hooker when I was in - everything just feels like it's run BY music fans, FOR music fans. I admit, I didn't even know this place existed before I pitched up for this gig, but now I do, I'll be keeping an eye on their gig listings. The Cowgate area of Edinburgh is already well served for music venues, but another really good one never hurt anyone.

Is it fair to judge a venue on their soft drink prices? When you're determined to make that one…read moretiny cup last the night then, I'd say there's grounds to do so! I love it when a business gives me a big old pint of soda lime/sparkling water for a decent price; these literally cost pennies for the business so it's really unfair to charge anything over £1 for draft soda/sparkling water. Shower me with generosity in this respect and I'll be happy to both stick around. Not everybody is always in the mood for alcohol and I'm really appreciative of a bar that understands this. These kind of soft drinks shouldn't be a subsidy for the rest of the bar. The teeny tiniest cup of sparkling water and a slice of lime for £1.50 at Belle Angele was daylight robbery. That's over £7 for an IPA and 2 x sparkling water! - It sure didn't feel good. I'd be willing to give BA another go as a music venue, but if there's a next time, I'll have absolutely no shame in asking for tap water!

Departure Lounge is a clubnight based at the gorgeous Caves venue, and not a venue itself…read more I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend!!

THE best club night in Edinburgh. Firstly, it's in The Caves, the very best venue in Edinburgh as…read morethey're amazing c.17 vaults! A UNESCO world heritage site, The Caves have to been seen to be believed. One of the ladies toilet cubicles even has a giant fireplace. What a breath-taking place! Secondly, there's the music: it's this amazing mix of global beats, world music, funk, soul, jazz, house, drum n' bass, latin... You just can't help dancing! Thirdly, there's the crowd it draws, who may or may not usually be drugged up to the eyeballs, but incredibly friendly with it, and you don't feel at all out of place if you're not into that sort of thing. The bouncers are a good, friendly lot, too. There are only two difficulties with this night: for one thing, it's pretty expensive. This is most likely because of the second problem: it's only on a maximum of once a month, if not less, and you have to check the website or the posters all around Edinburgh to find out when. Once you're over those hurdles, however, there is no better fun to be had!

Okay so I revoke my two stars and give Shanghai one star. I went there last night and was reminded…read morewhy I stick to places like Opium and The Hive. Yes they are dingy, but I always have a good time because nobody gives a shit. Shanghai is full of scantily clad females grinding on boys who don't look old enough to be out past 9 o'clock. I actually felt overdressed in here as most girls appeared to have come out in little more than their underwear. Everyone seems to take themselves very seriously and give you a once over before casting their disapproving eye over the fact your butt cheeks are covered up. Hideous bar full of hideous people. I lasted an hour, but it felt like an eternity.

There's no denying this venue isn't immaculately kitted out with the latest lighting, slouchy…read morebooths, opulent wall decor and generally sexy looking bar space. I just can't pinpoint what exactly the vibe is supposed to be, as despite all the snazzy decor surrounding you, it's hard to really get a feel of the kind of club atmosphere Shanghai is aiming for. Last time I was in here was during the week, and it was pretty quiet to be honest, however it is fairly large as night clubs go, so it'd probably tricky to fill it up completely, particularly on a week night. Weekends are most certainly busy, what with this being a club on George Street, plus the fact people come down from Le Monde, the bar above Shanghai. Lots of dark corners for dark snogging deeds, if that's your thing, and plenty of dance space.

This is one of the few clubs in Edinburgh that I enjoy going to just as much now I'm about to…read moregraduate as I did when I was a fresher. It's not the biggest club in the world, but there's a decent-sized dancefloor and plenty of booths/tables to rest your feet at when you're not dancing. Although the main bar is tiny, they've recently started a bottle bar at the back of the club to reduce the time you spend queueing for your double vodkas... they're worth queueing for though, any double vodka+mixer or gin+mixer is £2.50 on mondays and fridays. Winner. In the VIP rea, there's a free red bull fountain all night too - and with single shots of vodka for only £1 it's easy to see why this place is so popular. The obvious question then, is why didn't I give it 5 stars? The queues. During term-time, if you go on a monday or friday you can expect to queue for half an hour (unless you're one of the keeno's that get there for 8:30pm...?!). And don't think the queueing stops once you're in... toilets, cashpoint, cloakroom, bar etc will each take up at least another 15 minutes of your life. On the flip side, the reassuring thing about the massive crowds of people means that there's always a good atmosphere here. There's nothing worse than getting all geared up for a night out, drinking with your friends beforehand, getting to the club and... there being absolutely no-one there. One thing to point out... the door staff here are the strictest in the world when it comes to ID. If you've lost yours or forgotten to bring it out with you I wouldn't even bother trying to get in.

We ended up here on a night when we were struggling to get in anywhere else so it was more in…read moredesperation than in expectation that we paid the £7.50 to get in here. Oh, how it wasn't value for money. Once inside it was busy, the music was decent enough and well decorated throughout. However, you can get all this elsewhere for far less expense and for £7.50 I half expected it to be paved with gold (though I would have accepted something a bit special). I guess this place is just for people like me who didn't quite get in elsewhere arriving when every where else was busy and don't want to trek away from Georges Street.