Whistle Binkies

Whistle Binkies is a live music pub set in the vaults beneath South Bridge, just off the Royal Mile in the Old Town. It describes itself as an Edinburgh institution for live music, and it lives up to that billing by putting bands on every night, often with two or three acts in an evening and sets running into the early hours. It is run by the Old Town Pub Co. and is associated with the Music Venue Trust.

The line-up changes nightly, mixing bands and solo performers. The listings on the venue's website show a typical night running from an early evening slot through to a late set starting around midnight and finishing around 2am, with occasional afternoon performances at weekends. Late-night listings are shown under the date on which the evening began, so check carefully if you are planning around a particular act.

The venue is open every night until the small hours, which makes it a reliable final stop on a night out in the Old Town. The vaulted setting gives it an intimate, atmospheric feel, and it can get crowded on Friday and Saturday nights and throughout August, when the Fringe brings extra crowds to the area. Arrive early in the evening if you want a seat near the stage.

Whistle Binkies suits groups of friends, couples, students and anyone who wants a lively, unpretentious night with live music rather than a club. The venue's website lists the acts for the coming days. It is less suited to those looking for a quiet drink. As a late-night bar, it is for adults.

South Bridge links the Royal Mile with Nicolson Street and the university area, so the pub is easy to find. From here, The Jazz Bar on Chambers Street is a couple of minutes away for a change of musical style, and the Cowgate's late bars are directly below the bridge. The Devil's Advocate and the Royal Mile's pubs are a short walk uphill, and Waverley station and Princes Street can be reached in around ten minutes via the North Bridge. Contact the venue by email or phone with questions about upcoming acts or private bookings.