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Cabaret Voltaire

3.8 (48 reviews)
Closed 5:00 pm - 3:00 am (Next day)

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Rezzi I.

It's a little shameful that I still haven't been to this Edinburgh club on a night out, but I finally made it there to see a comedy show. The most bizarre show I have ever seen, but this review is about Cab Vol (as it's popularly known) so I'll stick to that. It's extremely central, being just a few minutes walk from the Royal Mile. I was surprised by the sheer size of the place; normally this may create an almost impersonal atmosphere, but Cab Vol is quite cosy and cave like, spread across two levels and wonderfully lacking in day light of any kind. As I said, I haven't been when the whole place is vibrating with music, and packed with people, so I've got more Cab Vol experiencing to do! However, it's worth heading there on a Tuesday night, when entry is free and music is dubstep, house, and techno. It's definitely going to be the first night I head there anyway.

Emma C.

Cabaret Voltaire is easily my favourite club in Edinburgh. It offers different club nights each day of the week with resident DJs and special guests, in the past these have included big names like Annie Mac, Steve Aoki, Krafty Kuts, Justice and Plump DJs. The music is mostly electronic (d'n'b / house / electro / techno), however there are sometimes gigs on earlier in the evening before the club nights start and these tend to feature up and coming indie bands, I saw Florence and The Machine & Little Boots here before they hit the big time. The club is situated in some vaults underneath South Bridge, and when you're inside it really does feel like you're in the bowels of the city. Admittedly the place does get pretty crowded and sweaty, but that's an intrinsic feature of its underground charm. This is not the place to go if you just want to pose and observe the world from a seat, dancing is obligatory! There is no dress code and you could feel equally comfortable here in a pretty dress or your scummiest jeans. Drinks are relatively cheap, prices do vary depending on what night of the week you're there though. If you're into music or the club scene, Cab Vol is definitely somewhere you should visit.

the stage at a gig in CabVol
Anna F.

This is an underground club with a great mainstream music sound system and some of the most fun nights out in Edinburgh. At the beginning every month they have a 60s night which is grand, but Tuesdays and Thursdays they have electro and drum and bass with no entrance fee! As a music venue, I can say I have been very pleased, I came here a couple of weeks ago to see the ever so lovely Angus and Julia Stone, and I was impressed with the effort put into the show. It was only in one room, and packed, but somehow the underground atmosphere just brought so much to the show. The bar tenders were lovely and even the door men are not as aggressive (as seen in other well-established clubs). Why do people always get cramped in the back at gigs? There was plenty of space at the front where the stage was, and luckily the stage was higher up so everyone could see. The sound was superb as well, and even when Julia Stone was confused with her amp, the sound man was superb and efficient. The only think I can really hold against this place as far as gigs are concerned is that after the concert the lights are crudely turned on and cleaning starts immediately whilst we are all still there, in order to be ready for the next event.

Cab Vol Main Bar Courtesy of Cabaret Voltaire Website
Amy G.

I am not a huge fan of Cabaret Voltaire- or Cab Vol as we locals call it. Its a very popular club with the trendy, indie, scene crew in Edinburgh. But its just not my type of place. I can appreciate why others may enjoy it, but not me. Firstly its very cramped inside and there is not a lot of seating. Yes I like to have a seat, so shoot me. I'm generally not intoxicated enough to be throwing myself around the dance floor like everybody else. The drinks are fairly cheap which is a plus side, but it does mean that attendees are usually pretty drunk so there is that kind of atmosphere in the club. The music is commonly indie/electro/drum and base which I personally don't enjoy. But if that is what you like, then you will probably like Cab Vol. I have been to see a few bands play here and it does make for an intimate gig which can be quite good. However the night club side of it is just not for me.

I love Caberet Voltaire. In fact, I only have one complaint - so lets start with that. Cheap coke. Simple and not very much of a problem, especially when it has a double something or other in it. The trouble is when your are just gasping for it by itself and it tastes a bit 'bleugh'. Anyway, my one complaint over, I can get on with how good this place is. Firstly, Cab-Vol is underground - in the vaults of Edinburgh meaning the sound system in here rocks. Its amazing. Secondly the music they play varies night to night, so one time you might be listening to drum 'n' bass, and the next night somethng far more indie. Pretty cool, and although some nights may not be everybodies cup of tea, I love all of it. There are also some live music evenings, which are usually followed by an after party - which I thoroughly recommend. Thirdly, the layout of the club - it doesnt sound like something great, but one room can have the atmosphere of a quiet pub lounge while next door (albeit through 3 foot of heavy stone wall) there is a rave going on with the volume turned up to 11. Drinks are cheap (so the nasty coke isnt too bad...) and generally Cab-Vol is consistantly one of the best nights out in the city.

Cab Vol (cringe at the abbreviation) is popular amongst students and locals alike as a place to find alternative music within the confines of an interesting environment. By the latter I refer to the burrow like low ceiling, hidden hallways and moody lighting. By the former I refer to the surprisingly good drum & bass events, and alternative house sets. Drinks and entry fee are pretty standard in terms of price and in general it's a reliable and fun club to spend the night. Expect excruciatingly long queues at the weekend.

Cabaret Voltaire

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10 years ago

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19 years ago

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17 years ago

catch it on a good night and the atmosphere is great.

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18 years ago

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19 years ago

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12 years ago

Always good music, always a good vibe and the cocktail bar dishes out some great drinks. Can't reccomend it enough.

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18 years ago

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Review Highlights - Cabaret Voltaire

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Liquid Room

Liquid Room

3.4(36 reviews)
0.3 miGrassmarket, Old Town
££

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.

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Liquid Room - Bar right by the door for the shows

Bar right by the door for the shows

Liquid Room - Amanda Palmer

Amanda Palmer

Liquid Room

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Opium Nightclub

Opium Nightclub

3.7(43 reviews)
0.2 miOld Town
£

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.

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Opium Nightclub - Opium

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Opium

CC Blooms - Haggis Bons Bons

CC Blooms

3.1(46 reviews)
0.6 miNew Town
££

CC Blooms is a must while traveling thru Edinburgh. I'm a fan of the deconstructed meat pies as…read moreit's a modern take on a traditional dish. Nightime here is entirely different than daytime so consider CC's your spot to return to. It's a fun atmosphere and great wait staff to welcome you to the CcBloom community!

A nice center of gay life in Edinburgh. Serving tasty pub food until the evening, whenever it gets…read morebusy. The ambiance is a lot of fun too. Highland Soup: Brilliant presentation served in a cute mason jar. Loved all the Highland vegetables and herbs. Served with the bread and butter, it really felt like a tavern offering weary travelers a hearty meal after a long day on the road. Haggis Bons Bons: The deep fried shell around the haggis along with the chili dipping sauce really upped the game. Helps mitigate issues like a mushy texture and mild spices. Though quite honestly, it could have been deep fried anything at that point. Steak Pie: Lots of pie dough to go against the tender meat and saucy filling. There was extra gravy for good measure. Unfortunately, they were out of mash, so had to get curly fries. But the fries were good when dipped the gravy. Mushy peas on the side were as expected, nothing fancy. Aberdeen Angus Lasagne: Saucy and cheesy, just the way I like it. This is not an Italian restaurant, so isn't a fancy lasagne, but tastes kind homemade. Very comforting.

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CC Blooms - Back lounge.

Back lounge.

CC Blooms - Steak Pie

Steak Pie

CC Blooms - So many rainbows

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So many rainbows

Cabaret Voltaire - danceclubs - Updated May 2026

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