Edinburgh

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Edinburgh's gay life occupies a small, settled corner of the city rather than a sprawling district. The scene clusters around Broughton Street and Picardy Place at the top of the New Town, an area locals still call the Pink Triangle, where a handful of long-standing bars anchor most weekends. The mood is more pub than club, more familiar faces than fresh crowds, and noticeably calmer than Glasgow's. Pride Edinburgh in June and the August festival surge briefly remake the city, but the rest of the year, the scene rewards quiet nights over ambition.

7 gay places in Edinburgh

CC Blooms

BarOpen now

A long-running bar and club on Calton Square, one of Edinburgh's most established venues on the city's gay scene.

Kafe Kweer

CaféClosed

A queer cafe in the Tollcross area of Edinburgh, drawing a mixed crowd of regulars from the local community.

Paradise Palms

BarOpen now

A queer bar and club space on Lothian Street, close to the University of Edinburgh, drawing a young, artsy crowd from the student and creative communities.

Planet Edinburgh

BarOpen now

A bar on Baxter's Place, just off Leith Walk, drawing a mixed crowd of regulars and visitors to one of Edinburgh's more established gay venues.

Regent Bar

BarOpen now

A traditional pub-style bar on Montrose Terrace, just east of the city centre in the Abbeyhill area, with a predominantly male regular crowd.

Steamworks Sauna Edinburgh

SaunaOpen now

A men's sauna in Edinburgh's Broughton area, the city's traditional gay quarter, drawing a predominantly male crowd looking for a relaxed or cruisy visit.

The Street

BarOpen now

A bar on Picardy Place, at the edge of Edinburgh's traditional gay quarter, drawing a predominantly male crowd of regulars and visitors alike.

Edinburgh Map

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