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Venues for Performers

All of our venues and performance spaces available for the Fringe are listed below. Click on the links for full details, plans and photos. There is also Venue Map at the bottom of this page.


How our venues are set-up

For each of our venues below you can click through to a separate page with all of the specifications for each performance space. Our spaces range in capacity from 20 to over 150.

All of the rooms are separate spaces from public areas of venues, apart from stages marked as suitable for music only

All of the rooms are set-up and managed by us, and are supplied as standard with a full PA system, lighting and stage set-up, audience seating, and are ready to go for your show. Many have more facilities available with larger PA systems, lighting rigs and projectors or other AV, backstage areas and so on – These details can be found when you click on the link below for each venue.

Please do not confuse us with other free venue promoters who ask performers to supplier their own equipment, build their own spaces and are often in inappropriate areas of public bars without a separate performance space - or in some cases not really venues at all.


What shows are suitable for our venues

We have spaces suitable for all Fringe genres and we programme a mixture of genres at each venue to provide a varied programme in each space, an indication of genres we feel are suitable are listed for each venue.

If you are planning any free walking tours of Edinburgh, Scavenger Hunts, or similar why not include these in the Free Festival programme, or the can start/end at a free festival venue.


If you have any questions on our venues email us on info@freefestival.co.uk

Click here for general Performers Information and click here to Apply for a Space in one of our venues


32 Below

32 Below (Fringe Venue 442)

32b West Nicolson Street. Phone: 0131 667 7533

Click here for map

 Bar Food WiFi AirCon All ages until 6pm, then 18+ only

32 Below is located underneath the Pear Tree and Counting House, with an intimate Performance space. This venue forms a large complex with the Counting House, 32 Below and Pear Tree Venues that is a real Fringe Hub moments from Fringe Central, The Gilded Balloon and the Pleasance Dome.

Performance Genres possible at 32 Below:

Comedy Theatre Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Nightclubs Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in 32 Below:

The Cellar: 70 Capacity, Rectangular room - raised stage

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


56 North

56 North (Fringe Venue 184)

2 W Crosscauseway. Phone: 0131 662 8860

Click here for map

 Bar Food WiFi 18+ Only

56 North holds a cosy space in the basement of the venue, which is a popular bar specialising in Gin, with a full range of drinks and food. During the Fringe there is also an outdoor bar area, which is a great place for audience to hang out, and the venue is seconds from The Pear Tree, Counting House venues, Fringe Central and all of the Bristo Square venues.

Performance Genres possible at 56 North:

Comedy Theatre Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Nightclubs Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in 56 North:

The Cellar: A cost, 35 capacity room, with small stage

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


Bar 50

Bar 50 (Fringe Venue 151)

Within SafeStay Edinburgh Hostel, 50 Blackfriars Street. Phone: 0131 524 1989

Click here for map

 Accessible Bar Food WiFi All ages until 10pm, then 18+ only

Bar 50 is the lively bar of the Safetay Hostel (formally the Smart City Hostel) on Cowgate, always busy and Vibrant this venue is in an ideal location in the centre of Edinburgh, with a built in audience from the hostels residents. It is only a few minutes from the royal Mile. Bar 50 has been a Free Festival venue since 2012, after previously running Fringe shows under another promoter.

Performance Genres possible at Bar 50:

Comedy Theatre Childrens Musicals and Opera Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in Bar 50:

Marquee: A Square, 60 capacity Marquee located in the courtyard

The Alcove: A 60 capacity room at the corner of the Hotels main bar, with raised stage and wing space

Upstairs: A small, rectangular 35 Capacity room

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


Biddy Mulligans

Biddy Mulligans (Fringe Venue 220)

94-86 Grassmarket. Phone: 0131 220 1246

Click here for map

 Accessible Bar Food WiFi AirCon Over 18's Only

Suitable for Music shows only, Biddy Mulligan's is an Irish Bar adjoining the Grassmarket Hotel and Wee Pub with a music stage available for solo/due music performers

Performance Genres possible at Biddy Mulligans:

Music 

Performance Spaces available in Biddy Mulligans:

Main Bar: A stage in the Main Bar suitable for Solo Music Performers/Duos

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


The Broughton Bar

The Broughton Bar (Fringe Venue 146)

46-48A Broughton Street. Phone: 0131 556 6608

Click here for map

 Bar Food WiFi 18+ only

The Broughton has been a Free Festival venue since 2011, under it's old name The Phoenix. It's located in the New Town on Broughton Street, close to the Stand and a number of venues close to the top of Leith walk, including free fest venues The Newsroom and The Place. It is a busy and friendly bar, open from lunchtime until late night every day.

Performance Genres possible at The Broughton Bar:

Comedy Theatre Courses Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in The Broughton Bar:

The Basement Bar: A 60 capacity basement room, with flat stage and bacstage

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


Cabaret Voltaire

Cabaret Voltaire (Fringe Venue 338)

36-38 Blair Street. Phone: 0131 247 4704

Click here for map

 Bar Food WiFi 18+ Only

Cabaret Voltaire has been a Fringe venue for a number of years, and is now part of the Free Festival, with four performance spaces and a music/DJ stage spread over three floors its a busy and vibrant venue. It's located right in the centre of things, just of the Cowgate and seconds from the Royal Mile - close to the City Cafe, Tron, Caves and Free Sisters Venues.

Performance Genres possible at Cabaret Voltaire:

Comedy Theatre Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Nightclubs Cabaret Chat Shows Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in Cabaret Voltaire:

Ink Bar: A long room split into two parts with overall capacity of 105 - A cosy 60 Seat and 10 standing space room, with an overflow area with a further 15 seats and 20 standing spaces.

Main Room: 120 Seated Capacity (plus standing room) space, very flexible large rectangular room with full PA, raised stage and backstage area

The Cave:

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


The City Café

The City Café (Fringe Venue 85)

19 Blair Street. Phone: 0131 220 0125

Click here for map

 Bar Food WiFi AirCon All ages until 9pm, then 18+ only

Located on Blair Street, between the Royal Mile and Cowgate, the City Café is right in the heart of the Fringe. Refurbished downstairs in late 2017, there are now three small performance spaces which are all sound proofed and air-conditioned. It's been a Free Festival venue since 2008 the City Café has always been a in the thick of things, with performances inside, and the vibrant street performances from the Royal Mile and Tron Square Outside.

Performance Genres possible at The City Café:

Comedy Theatre Childrens Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in The City Café:

Hollywood: 30 capacity, with 25 seats. Low ceiling, lights and small PA system. Decorated with a Hollywood Theme.

Las Vegas: 40 capacity, with 35 seats. Low ceiling, lights and small PA system. Decorated with a Las Vegas Theme.

Nineties: 25 capacity, with 20 seats. Low ceiling, lights and small PA system. Decorated with a 90's Theme.

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


The Counting House

The Counting House (Fringe Venue 170)

38 West Nicolson Street. Phone: 0131 667 7533

Click here for map

 Bar Food WiFi All ages until 9pm, then 18+ only

A Free Festival venue since 2007, The Counting House is a popular and busy multi-room venue with four performance spaces. The venue forms a complex with the 32 Below and The Pear tree offering a busy, vibrant Fringe hub that is just across the road from Fringe central, and around the corner from The Gilded Balloon and Pleasance Dome

Performance Genres possible at The Counting House:

Comedy Theatre Childrens Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in The Counting House:

The Attic: A 35 capacity room on the 2nd floor, ideal for solo performances with flat stage and no backstage

The Ballroom: One of the premier performance spaces on the Fringe, with a large raised stage, backstage area, wing space, 150 seats and full lighting and PA. Suitable for all manner of productions, large and small.

The Loft: A 35 capacity room on the 2nd floor, ideal for solo performances with flat stage and no backstage

The Lounge: An intimate space, with 65 seats, ideal for solo/duo performances.

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


Dropkick Murphy's

Dropkick Murphy's (Fringe Venue 289)

7 Merchant St (Off Candlemaker Row). Phone: 0131 225 2002

Click here for map

 Bar AirCon 18+ only

Benefitting from a central Location, just off of the Cowgate, and also with a dedicated venue promotion team Dropkick’s is a large venue open through the year as a nightclub, and we will have shows in the space from lunchtime to early evening,

Performance Genres possible at Dropkick Murphy's:

Comedy Theatre Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Nightclubs Spoken Word Cabaret 

Performance Spaces available in Dropkick Murphy's:

Main Room: 100-120 capacity room, in high celing venue - large raised stage

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


Finnegan's Wake

Finnegan's Wake (Fringe Venue 101)

9b Victoria Street. Phone: 0131 225 9348

Click here for map

 Accessible Bar WiFi AirCon 18+ only

A Free Festival venue since 2011, and a fully refurbished Irish bar re-opened in late 2010, Finnegan's Wake is a large music bar with free music and bands in the evenings, and during the day Free Festival show performances in their back room area. The venue contains a popular and intimate performance space, and is exceptionally well located next door to our Espionage venue, moments from the Royal Mile and Grassmarket, and very close to The Underbelly

Performance Genres possible at Finnegan's Wake:

Comedy Theatre Music Musicals and Opera Nightclubs Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in Finnegan's Wake:

The Back Room: An intimate performance space with a capacity of 40 people, ideally located in Edinburgh so that the room should be full at every performance!

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


The Free Sisters

The Free Sisters (Fringe Venue 272)

139 Cowgate. Phone: 0131 622 6802

Click here for map

 Accessible Bar Food AirCon All ages until 8pm, then 18+ only

The biggest free venue in Edinburgh, quite often referred to as “The Free version of the Pleasance courtyard”, The Free Sisters is located right in the middle of the Cowgate, with numerous performance spaces, bars, outdoor areas, food stalls and even a hotel. It’s the epicentre of free fringe shows, where people come to watch shows, hang out or party away, with a huge variety of performance spaces to choose from.

Performance Genres possible at The Free Sisters:

Comedy Theatre Childrens Courses Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in The Free Sisters:

Maggie's Chamber: Upstairs 140 capacity (100 seats) venue, with raised stage, full PA system and lighting, and small backstage. Ideal for cabaret shows and the room can be set with small tables or theatre style. Projector and Screen available.

Maggie's Front Room : A smaller room adjacent to Maggies chamber, with a 70 seat capacity cabaret style, small stage on the flat and full PA system.

The Courtyard: A flexible outdoor stage, suitable for music, busking and street performance

The Gothic Room: Located at the back of the main downstairs bar, with raised stage, lighting, PA and a capacity of 80

The Wee Room: A small and intimate 25 capacity room ideal for comedy shows and intimate solo theatre or music

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


The Golf Tavern

The Golf Tavern (Fringe Venue 114)

30-31 Wright’s Houses (Next to Bruntsfield Links). Phone: 0131 221 5221

Click here for map

 Bar Food WiFi AirCon 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, and is well known as the home of Edinburgh's City centre Golf course. Located close to our venues The Cuckoo's nest and Moriarty's, this forms part of our new West End venue hub, which has become a popular area of town in the last few years.

Performance Genres possible at The Golf Tavern:

Comedy Theatre Childrens Courses Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in The Golf Tavern:

Upstairs: 70 Seated Capacity (plus standing room) space, very flexible large rectangular room with full PA, raised stage and backstage/wings area

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


The Hanover Tap

The Hanover Tap (Fringe Venue 259)

112 Hanover Street. Phone: 0131 225 2022

Click here for map

 Bar Food WiFi 18+ only

A Free Festival venue since 2006, The Jekyll is decorated in a gothic style with skeletons and other macabre items 'hanging around' the walls, making it a truly original and atmospheric venue well loved by performers. Located on Hanover Street in the New town, the Jekyll is moments away from the Assembly Rooms and just off of Princes Street, Princes Street Gardens and the Mound.

Performance Genres possible at The Hanover Tap:

Comedy Theatre Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in The Hanover Tap:

The Wee Tap: 60 Seats in an L-shaped room, with a flat stage. A cosy and modern space. A room which is always popular with crowds and performers.

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


The Newsroom

The Newsroom (Fringe Venue 93)

5 - 11 Leith Street. Phone: 0131 557 5830

Click here for map

 Bar Food WiFi AirCon 18+ only

A Free Festival venue since 2009, The Newsroom has benefited from a complete refurbishment over winter 2012. Located right on the junction of Leith Street and Princes Street the venue is in an ideal location seconds from Waverley, North Bridge, The Royal Mile and Princes Street

Performance Genres possible at The Newsroom:

Comedy Theatre Music Musicals and Opera Nightclubs Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in The Newsroom:

The Downstairs Bar : A large corner stage, and a 65 capacity seated basement room, with enough space for another 20 people standing. Refurbished winter 2012

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


The Pear Tree

The Pear Tree (Fringe Venue 257)

38 West Nicolson Street. Phone: 0131 667 7533

Click here for map

 Bar Food WiFi All ages until 6pm, then 18+ only

The Pear Tree is located underneath the Counting House, and has a huge and popular outdoor courtyard, seating over 200, and next to a large indoor bar. This venue forms a large complex with the Counting House, Ushers and Pear Tree Venues that is a real Fringe Hub moments from Fringe Central, The Gilded Balloon and the Pleasance Dome.

Performance Genres possible at The Pear Tree:

Comedy Theatre Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Nightclubs Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in The Pear Tree:

Pear Tree Indoor Stage: 100 Capacity, Rectangular room - mixture of cbaret and theatre style seating

The Courtyard Stage: Large covered outdoor stage overlooking busy 300 capacity courtyard area, suitable for bands and other performances suited to this. Complete with power, lighting, video projection and full PA.

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


The Raging Bull

The Raging Bull (Fringe Venue 332)

161 Lothian Road. Phone: 0131 228 5558

Click here for map

 Bar 12+ to 6pm, then 18+ only

A cosy downstairs room and very busy all day. Not far from the main Fringe areas of the Cowgate and Grassmarket, and some of Edinburgh's main theatres off of Lothian Road, it's and also at the heart of city bars and going out - the venue is used by locals, people on a night out and Fringe-goers alike, and the shows have a huge amount of support from the bars owners and staff

Performance Genres possible at The Raging Bull:

Comedy Theatre Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Nightclubs Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in The Raging Bull:

Cellar: Cosy downstairs Bar with capacity of 50 and small stage area

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


Sofi's Southside

Sofi's Southside (Fringe Venue 264)

42 - 44 Buccleuch Street. Phone: 0131 662 0974

Click here for map

 Bar Food WiFi 18+ Only

One of the longest serving free venues in Edinburgh, since 2006, Sofi's Southside(Previously Harry's Southside, Southside Social and The Meadow Bar - they love a name change here!) was completely refurbished in 2018 with a much larger bar, and a brand new performance space. It's a popular city centre, student and community bar with an intimate upstairs performance space, well loved by performers. The venue is close to all southside/Teviot venues.

Performance Genres possible at Sofi's Southside:

Comedy Theatre Spoken Word Cabaret Chat Shows 

Performance Spaces available in Sofi's Southside:

Upstairs: 70 Capacity, rectangular room, with small stage.

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


The Wee Pub

The Wee Pub (Fringe Venue 297)

1 Currie Close, Grassmarket. Phone: 0131 220 1246

Click here for map

 Accessible Bar WiFi AirCon

Measuring just 4.5m by 5.2m, The Wee Pub gives a whole new meaning to the traditional pub snug. Located next to Biddy Mulligan’s on the Grassmarket, and with a connecting hallway to the next door bar, this is small bar with a stage for music only, through the day.

Performance Genres possible at The Wee Pub:

Music 

Performance Spaces available in The Wee Pub:

Main Room: Space for solo/duo musicians

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


The Wildcat Bar

The Wildcat Bar (Fringe Venue 190)

11-13 Tarvit St. Phone: 0131 629 2828

Click here for map

 Accessible Bar Food WiFi 18+ Only

A New Bar for Edinburgh - a Great bar, cool vibe and friendly staff, with a big range of drinks and a full programme of Fringe shows every Day. The venue is close to other Free Festival venues, and right next the Kings Theatre, with a cosy performance space on the ground floor that is wheelchair accessible.

Performance Genres possible at The Wildcat Bar:

Comedy Theatre Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Nightclubs Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in The Wildcat Bar:

The Little Cat: 40 Capacity, rectangular room, with small stage.

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts




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