Edinburgh, a city celebrated for its rich cultural tapestry and historical charm, offers a vibrant nightlife scene that’s as photogenic as it is exhilarating. For the social media savvy and those seeking a memorable night out, the city’s array of bars with live music in Edinburgh present the perfect backdrop for those Instagram-worthy moments.
This blog ventures into the heart of Edinburgh’s nightlife, spotlighting the most Instagrammable bars and pubs. From the rustic allure of traditional Scottish pubs to the modern chic of contemporary bars, each location promises not just a feast for the palate but also a feast for the eyes.
With an emphasis on bars featuring live music, we showcase venues that combine auditory delights with stunning visuals. These hotspots are not only about enjoying a good drink and great music; they’re about immersing yourself in an atmosphere that’s uniquely Edinburgh. So, get ready to explore the spots that make Edinburgh’s nightlife scene a picturesque journey worth sharing.
Best Bars and Pubs With Live Music in Edinburgh
Edinburgh offers many photogenic spots. From sophisticated cocktail bars to cosy pubs, the Scottish capital boasts numerous picture-worthy venues that will help make your Instagram feed look fantastic.
This table provides a concise overview of each establishment, highlighting their unique characteristics, culinary offerings, and location-specific features, making it a valuable resource for anyone exploring dining and entertainment options in Edinburgh.
| Establishment | Description | Location/Special Features |
|---|---|---|
| Freddy’s Edin | One of the more recent additions to bars with live music in Edinburgh known for its live music and modern cocktail lounge. Ideal for IG and to make some memories. | Located in Edinburgh’s city centre, it is perfect for nights filled with music and entertainment. |
| King’s Wark | A bar restaurant with a rustic and cosy atmosphere, offering fresh seafood and locally sourced dishes. | Situated along Leith’s waterfront, it is rich in history and offers a warm, inviting environment. |
| Starbank Inn | A popular local pub with scenic views is known for its delicious food, especially fish and chips, and a great selection of beers. | Overlooking the Firth of Forth, a favourite for dog walkers and sports fans, at 17 Laverockbank Road, near HMY Britannia. |
| Bar Soba | A trendy bar and restaurant offering a fusion of Malaysian, Thai, and Vietnamese flavours Known for its vibrant street food and eclectic cocktails,. | Located on Mitchell Lane, it is styled like a Far Eastern drinking den and popular with students, shoppers, and office workers for cocktails and street food. |
| The Prahna Indian Grill | A multi-award-winning Indian restaurant in Corstorphine is celebrated for its excellent food and service. Known for its stylish decor and community integration,. | Offers a unique dining experience with a pay-what-you-want option and closely works with local customers for menu development. |
1. Freddy’s Edin
For those seeking a blend of vibrant nightlife and cosy relaxation, Freddy’s Edin stands out as a must-visit destination in Edinburgh’s bustling city center. This chic party parlour is celebrated for its live music scene, offering a dynamic atmosphere that’s perfect for Instagram.
The interior of Freddy’s Edin exudes a modern yet comfortable charm, with its tastefully decorated cocktail lounge inviting guests to unwind with their signature drinks. Whether you’re there to enjoy the lively music, savour expertly crafted cocktails, or capture a moment for your social feed, Freddy’s Edin delivers an unforgettable experience. Its unique ambiance and commitment to quality entertainment make it a standout addition to Edinburgh’s social scene, promising nights filled with music, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
2. King’s Wark
The King’s Wark is an exquisite bar restaurant situated along Leith’s picturesque waterfront area, serving brunch, lunch, and dinner featuring fresh seafood and locally sourced products. The decor is warm and rustic, featuring dark wood furniture, stone walls, and wicker candle holders. The atmosphere is cosy yet relaxed, making it perfect for romantic dates or gatherings of friends alike!
The name Wark refers to a late mediaeval royal complex consisting of an arsenal, storehouse, tower, cellar, and hall that was rebuilt after nearly being destroyed during the English invasions of 1544 and 1547. Queen Mary later granted Wark buildings and complexes to her Comptroller John Chisholm, who also held the title ‘Prefect and Keeper of Scottish Artillery’.
James VI of Scotland and Elizabeth of Bohemia first stayed at the Wark, which then belonged to Bernard Lindsay of Lochhill (after whom the nearby street is named). In 1606, these buildings passed into his ownership, later becoming part of their estate.
Now this waterfront inn serves creative, robust Scots cuisine, banquets, and real ales, making it the ideal spot for family meals, drinks with friends, or simply to savour delicious food! Their menu offers dishes like organic salmon with smoked haddock, Parmesan risotto, and more, using local ingredients from Leith’s Patisserie de Leith as bread sources, while fish typically comes from their fantastic Welch fishmonger across the road.
3. Starbank Inn
This pub is a favourite among locals looking for an enjoyable pint and friendly conversation. Situated over the Firth of Forth towards Fife, its prime views attract dog walkers, families, and passersby—as well as dog owners! Inside is a warm and inviting atmosphere, with model ships decorating window sills, historical photographs adorning walls, and a large wood-panelled central bar serving up tasty refreshments! Additionally, it provides decent selections of beer and food—perfect for family outings!
Visitors rave about its bar food, which includes perfectly cooked fish and chips, steaks, and sea bass. Delightful desserts such as sticky toffee pudding and brownies round off an exceptional dining experience here. Additionally, they offer cask ale and draft beer that’s both refreshing and affordable; their staff are welcoming and helpful as well.
Sports fans will also love this destination for watching sports events, where guests can sip a variety of drinks while watching a game. Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 12 a.m.–midnight on Friday and Saturday. Situated near HMY Britannia at 17 Laverockbank Road, it provides the ideal spot for anyone wanting a place away from city life to relax and unwind.
4. Bar Soba
This bar/restaurant exudes an attractive atmosphere. You could come here for lunch between lectures or to meet up before going out dancing at nightclubs, and its staff were all exceptionally pleasant and efficient!
There are two bars, a restaurant area, and a glass-fronted private dining room for larger groups at The Boiling Pot. Their menu boasts vibrant street food flavours from Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, while their drinks menu offers an impressive variety of cocktails, such as coconut and chilli daiquiri; kiwi chi martini; drumstick caiprioska; or more traditional drinks such as Stoli vodka with Kiwi Chi Martini Lemonade Lady Boy of Bangkok! Additionally, they have also created something called ‘Esharing Bucks’ inspired by Ko Pha Ngan’s full moon parties!
Mitchell Lane is home to this trendy bar and restaurant, the ideal destination for an after-work cocktail and bite to eat. Styled to look like a Far Eastern drinking den with Asian artwork and murals, bright seating, modern take lantern lighting, and a bustling atmosphere created by stylish students, shoppers, and office workers who come here for after-work cocktails, Asian street food, or to catch DJ spins.
Inspire created a website for Bar Soba that perfectly captured their quirky branding while maintaining functionality. Customers are easily able to place delivery orders, table reservations, and party bookings while signing up for their newsletter. Inspire also provided search engine optimisation services by updating each page’s metadata so Google understood exactly what each page was about, increasing visitors and subscriptions alike.
5. The Prahna Indian Grill
Edinburgh is well known as one of the best cities for finding top-quality curry. While Edinburgh features several Indian eateries, one in particular has taken Instagram by storm: Prahna Indian Grill, or more affectionately known as Freddy’s Edin, is a live music party parlour that promises to take nights out in Edinburgh’s city centre to another level. Expect signature serves and drink specials alongside top beers!
Corstorphine’s multi-award-winning Indian restaurant is an undiscovered treasure for locals, beloved among them and loved by staff alike. Offering excellent food and beverage with friendly, courteous service draws crowds from far and wide; interiors offer more stylish decor with features such as botanical features on the ceiling, mural-style artwork, and tasteful plating, making this place hard to beat.
Arun Ramanan, co-founder and CEO, has created an unforgettable dining experience. His goal was to establish an eatery deeply integrated into its community, thus offering price-free menus with pay-what-you-want options and working closely with local customers to solicit feedback and generate ideas for its menu development.
