It's a great music venue and also hosts a wide variety of shows and events from philosophy and comedy to mountain bike films. My favourite ever show was by Joshua Radin. The club is small but has a great atmosphere and even serves hot chocolate!

37 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8BA
www.thebongoclub.co.uk/index.php
+44 (0)131 558 7604
Google map: bit.ly/iwsM7k

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I was in Edinburgh for the festival, and oh boy was this place full of fun and all free. I stayed for two weeks and almost every night would end up there. They have live music and very delicious food ... but I think what made this place shine for me was the friendly staff. It is an Irish bar and you sense that throughout - be it the traditional design of the place, or Irish bar staff, or the fresh soda bread that you can have for lunch.

14 Forrest Road, EH1 2QN
Nearest station: Edinburgh Waverley
www.malonesedinburgh.com
+44(0)131 226 5954
Google map: bit.ly/bsISa0

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Situated on one of Edinburgh's most wonderful streets (Victoria Street) with all its multicoloured independent boutique shops and restaurants, the Bow Bar is a step back in time to the days when you could spend an entire evening in the local and still leave without having tasted every ale on offer.

Classic interior with friendly, extremely knowledgeable staff, its a small, cosy kind of pub that locals and an increasing number of tourists frequent.

Come the Edinburgh festival, it will be heaving, but you'd be daft to let that put you off - afterall, so will everywhere else!

If you're after an excellent choice of (mainly British beer) and a chance to chat without blaring music, then do yourself a favour and give the Grassmarket with its hen and stag groups a swerve and hit the Bow Bar instead.

80 West Bow Edinburgh EH1 2HH
0131 226 7667

Google map: tinyurl.com/2wputu8

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Probably the best cocktails in town, and it's a great, ornate classy bar tucked away just behind Princes Street.

They serve food too and its generally pretty good. If you're looking for something a little different then I'd recommend a visit.

It's very near Waverley Train Station on West Register Street, telephone 0131 556 7060. Website:www.thevoodoorooms.com

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