Festival week in Edinburgh

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Description:

Set in the heart of Edinburgh's Historic Old Town, The Apex is minutes from the main city attractions, nightlife, shopping and business districts. Head just up the hill to see Edinburgh Castle, or just enjoy stunning city views from the rooftop restaurant. Guests can relax in the hotel's spa centre, featuring an indoor pool, steam room and sauna, and full-equipped gym with flatscreen TVs.

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Description:

This basement pub is on Stockbridge's coolest street, otherwise lined with antique and junk stores. The ambience is definitely studenty new town chic. A coal-effect fire and comfy furnishings give the three rooms a homely feel. There is an informal folk music session on Thursday nights - check the press or venue for the latest details.

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Description:

Come here for comedy, seven days a week, from some of Britain's best-known comedians, alongside some lesser known names and a variety of up and coming (and terrified) hopefuls. This popular venue frequently offers other attractions like comedy quizzes, as well as a full programme of Fringe Festival performances. They also run sporadic events such as "Whose Lunch Is It Anyway" where the show itself comes free with a meal or drinks. It is rowdy but good-natured and gets busy on weekends as it holds only 160 bodies, so book early.

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Description:

Edinburgh's Royal Mile is the famous road leading upwards to Edinburgh Castle. Cobbled in places and pedestrian friendly the Royal Mile is home to historic buildings which run the length of the street. It is the definitive route to see Old Edinburgh Town. Many of the city's best restaurants and shops line the incline offering traditional Scottish food and memorabilia. Take a moment to wander down one of the narrow and sometimes secret Royal Mile closes, many providing the theatrical atmosphere for grizzly ghost tours.

Description:

Situated opposite Greyfriars Kirk at the south end of the George IV Bridge, the Bedlam is a converted neo-Gothic church painted a striking pillarbox red. It belongs to the university and has a year-round programme of drama and concerts. It is also a popular place to see comedy and children's shows during the Fringe Festival, when it transforms itself into Venue 49, complete with the purring Fat Cat Cafe. Check with them directly or keep an eye on the listings pages for upcoming performances.

Description:

Skip the line! Purchase your ticket to The Edinburgh Dungeon ahead of time to take advantage of jumping the queue and gaining fast track entry. Don't waste time waiting in lines on vacation!

The Edinburgh Dungeon uses live actors, shows, a spooky ride and interactive special effects to take you on a unique journey through Scotland's most horrible history. Meet the ghosts of the city when you delve into the world of the paranormal in Scotland's haunted capital.

Everything that you see is based on real historical events from the brutal Clan Wars, to Edinburgh's Great Fire and the Anatomy Theatre. With a chilling boat ride into the lair of cannibal Sawney Bean the Edinburgh Dungeon provides a thrilling and fun experience that will leave you screaming for more!

Allow at least 1 hour to visit The Edinburgh Dungeon.

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Description:

Mix and evening in one of Edinburgh's eclectic drinking holes with a bit of culture and a lot of storytelling with the enthusiastic folk from the Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour. Learn about Scottish literature, discover unknown facts about our greatest writers and taste some of Edinburgh's finest ale. The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour introduces visitors to the unlikely places of inspiration for authors told with dramatic flair and humor.

There is also a Literary Bus Tour, but be aware that tram construction in the city could postpone or cancel departures times. Check out the tour website before hand.

The tour has won several wards for excellence since it's inception, including the Scottish Thistle Award for Arts and Tourism. It is performed by two professional actors tightly scripted, within a highly entertaining and erudite dramatic duologue. Its appeal is far reaching, encompassing a large age group in terms of popular appeal.

Tickets can be bought from the Beehive Inn in the Grassmarket prior to the 7.30pm start or from the tour website. Use the button at the top left of the screen and save (at least) £1 on the price you would pay on the evening. Remember to bring a print-out as a receipt. There are student reductions too.

Tour times and days:

January, February, November and December: Fridays only at 7:30pm
March, April and October: Thursdays-Sunday at 7:30pm
May, June July: all week at 7:30pm

NOTE: August 2010 - 7:45pm all week.

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Description:

Set in the heart of Edinburgh's Historic Old Town, The Apex is minutes from the main city attractions, nightlife, shopping and business districts. Head just up the hill to see Edinburgh Castle, or just enjoy stunning city views from the rooftop restaurant. Guests can relax in the hotel's spa centre, featuring an indoor pool, steam room and sauna, and full-equipped gym with flatscreen TVs.

Description:

The highlights of this gay-friendly club are the excellent dance-floor, plentiful seating, speedy bar staff and the sound system. The various club nights on offer cover the full range of musical tastes, from house to cabaret to kitsch. Whatever the theme of the night - this is the perfect venue to strut your stuff in the most outrageous costume you can find - anything goes for either sex.

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Description:

Live music, cool beers and a relaxed atmosphere make this bar/venue a popular haunt for students and grown-ups alike. It has become something of an alternative jazz music mecca, hosting live music and eclectic DJs. There is an experimental jam on Su afternoons, and evenings of latin music and drum and bass. Light bites are served until 11p - check out the dim sum (Chinese Dumplings).

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Description:

Set in the heart of Edinburgh's Historic Old Town, The Apex is minutes from the main city attractions, nightlife, shopping and business districts. Head just up the hill to see Edinburgh Castle, or just enjoy stunning city views from the rooftop restaurant. Guests can relax in the hotel's spa centre, featuring an indoor pool, steam room and sauna, and full-equipped gym with flatscreen TVs.

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Description:

Working alongside the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, the King's Theatre specialises in touring dramatic productions. Opened in 1906, it has four licensed cafe-bars. It was completely restored in 1985 and seats 1350. A wide range of productions come here, from pantomime in the winter season to Shakespeare, boasting a sprinkling of well-known names such as Derek Jacobi. Call for up-to-date details of performances.

Description:

The only alternative to The Stand comedy venue, this Irish theme bar offers stand-up on a Friday night. It's free, as you're presumably buying from the bar, and the regular compere is Reg "Voodoo" Anderson. Starting around 8p.

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Description:

Set in the heart of Edinburgh's Historic Old Town, The Apex is minutes from the main city attractions, nightlife, shopping and business districts. Head just up the hill to see Edinburgh Castle, or just enjoy stunning city views from the rooftop restaurant. Guests can relax in the hotel's spa centre, featuring an indoor pool, steam room and sauna, and full-equipped gym with flatscreen TVs.

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Description:

Situated at the back of the Royal Museum on Chamber Street is this wee cinema with cafe-bar attached. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays the 278 capacity cinema shows a programme of foreign and experimental arthouse films. For horror fans, the Lumiere hosts the brief but blood-curdling Dead by Dawn festival in the spring. A more high-profile event is the well-known Edinburgh International Film Festival. With only one screen and small attendances, this new venue has a uniquely intimate atmosphere.

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Description:

Set in the heart of Edinburgh's Historic Old Town, The Apex is minutes from the main city attractions, nightlife, shopping and business districts. Head just up the hill to see Edinburgh Castle, or just enjoy stunning city views from the rooftop restaurant. Guests can relax in the hotel's spa centre, featuring an indoor pool, steam room and sauna, and full-equipped gym with flatscreen TVs.

Description:

The Traverse is a haven for new writers and lesser-known touring companies. As such, the clientele leans toward the left-field hip end of the theatre-going spectrum - they especially love to hang-out at the Traverse Bar Cafe. Drama, dance and comedy all regularly feature on the theatre's programme.

Description:

The Blue Blazer is better known for its wide selection of cask ales and malt whiskeys than anything else. The place is well-designed with wooden floors, pews and a selection of Edinburgh prints on its walls. It has an old-world feel to it. The Lyceum lies just around the corner, so many theater enthusiasts stop by. Guests are entertained by bands that play great pub music. All in all, its a great place to hang, especially for those who love the color blue!

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Description:

Set in the heart of Edinburgh's Historic Old Town, The Apex is minutes from the main city attractions, nightlife, shopping and business districts. Head just up the hill to see Edinburgh Castle, or just enjoy stunning city views from the rooftop restaurant. Guests can relax in the hotel's spa centre, featuring an indoor pool, steam room and sauna, and full-equipped gym with flatscreen TVs.

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Description:

Set in the heart of Edinburgh's Historic Old Town, The Apex is minutes from the main city attractions, nightlife, shopping and business districts. Head just up the hill to see Edinburgh Castle, or just enjoy stunning city views from the rooftop restaurant. Guests can relax in the hotel's spa centre, featuring an indoor pool, steam room and sauna, and full-equipped gym with flatscreen TVs.