Edinburgh is one of the UK’s friendliest cities for LGBTQ travellers. It’s a warm, welcoming city, filled with some of the most breathtaking sights in Scotland, from the famous Royal Mile in the beautiful Old Town to the busy shopping district of Princes Street where Edinburgh’s gay neighbourhood, The Pink Triangle, is located. Edinburgh’s gay establishments are varied. There are lively, crowded nightclubs and laid-back, cosy pubs. If you’re a fan of drag, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to witness drag performances, play bingo, and partake in similar activities at many of the city’s most popular gay establishments. Whether you’re here for a month or just a weekend, if you’re an LGBTQ traveller visiting Edinburgh, read on to discover the best ways to explore the city’s vibrant gay scene.
To be gay in Edinburgh: Is it LGBTQ friendly?
Edinburgh is a very gay-friendly city. It has gained distinction previously as one of the top 10 most welcoming cities in the world for LGBTQ people. You’ll find rainbow flags and stickers outside many of the city’s establishments. Of course, as in any large city, you might encounter some people who are less accepting. If you do run into any issues, you can consider reaching out to a group like Galop or LGBT Health & Wellbeing for assistance.
The gay area in Edinburgh: The Pink Triangle
You’ll find gay bars, pubs, and clubs mostly concentrated on Broughton Street and towards the top of Leith Walk. This area is known as the Pink Triangle to Edinburgh’s LGBTQ locals, and its location just off Princes Street makes it very convenient. You’ll also find a number of hotels close by, so you can stay conveniently within walking distance of the neighbourhood.
Gay bars in Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s best gay bars and clubs have relaxed atmospheres, welcoming staff, and friendly patrons. Live performances, karaoke nights, and DJs are common, so you won’t have to go far to find some evening entertainment. If you’re looking for a quiet night out, there are venues such as Regent Bar that keep things a bit more low-key. Most of these venues are in the Pink Triangle and within walking distance of one another, so bar-hopping is easy. We’ve also included several establishments that are popular among the LGBTQ community, where you’ll surely have a great time.
Habana Edinburgh
Open from 1:00 pm to 1:00 am, Habana Edinburgh is the perfect venue to begin your night out around Edinburgh’s gay scene. It’s relatively small but spread over two floors, with lounge-style seating on the first floor and a lovely balcony area on the second floor. With DJs playing every day of the week, you can always count on this bar to be lively and busy with both locals and visitors. Although it’s a popular pre-club spot, the fact that it has such friendly staff and an atmosphere that only gets more spirited as the evening progresses means you might find yourself spending all night here.
CC Blooms
CC Blooms, named after the lead of the 1988 film Beaches (played by Bette Midler), is one of the biggest gay clubs in Edinburgh. Come here during the day to sit down and enjoy a Balmoral Burger or a sticky toffee pudding. In the evenings, the place transforms into a buzzing club with fantastic DJs, live performances, and themed nights or parties held throughout the year. Its Church of High Kicks Drag/Disco night every Sunday is one of its attractions and often one of the busiest nights of the week. CC Blooms is also just minutes away from the Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre, so you can drop by here before seeing a show. It offers a two- or three-course pre-theatre menu between 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm. Its downstairs area called Lab hosts weekly events, including The Big Lab Quiz on Thursdays from 8:00 pm and cocktail nights on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am.
Planet Bar
There are no specifically lesbian bars in Edinburgh, but Planet Bar is very popular among queer women. This cosy bar is one of Edinburgh’s longest-running gay bars, known for its friendly atmosphere and reasonably priced drinks (and it also sponsors the Hot Scots, Scotland’s first-ever LGBTQ football team). DJs keep the music going throughout the week, and its Showtime Fridays programming hosts drag queen performers from around the world. Showtime Fridays run from 9:00 pm to 3:00 am and entrance is free. If you’re looking for free activities in Edinburgh that are also massively enjoyable, check out our guide.
The Street
The Street is a lovely bar and bistro that opens at 12:00 pm, so it’s a great afternoon hangout spot. Later in the evenings, you can head downstairs into its nightclub, which is open every Friday and Saturday. The vibes are casual but busy, particularly during the cabaret nights on Wednesdays and disco parties on Saturdays. It serves simple, straightforward meals like toasties and nachos (plus different types of fries). Its cocktail menu includes delights like the Flirty Bison (a French Martini made with Zubrowka Bison Grass vodka) and a Bloody Mary recipe that its bartenders have spent years perfecting. It also has a “street art” gallery featuring works by Keith Haring and Banksy. Its old-fashioned photo booth is the perfect opportunity to have a souvenir from your trip. Are you visiting during Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival? The Street is often a venue for PBH, the free part of the festival.
Regent Bar
Regent Bar is a charming LGBTQ pub (that’s also straight-friendly) that serves quality ales and delicious food. But what keeps customers coming back to it is the welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff. The decor is cosy and classy, with bright green walls and deep emerald couches. It’s also got some fun extra touches like old-fashioned keys hung on the wall above the bar and a blue tartan carpet. It’s tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist areas, but still within walking distance of Princes Street. You’ll find the bar with its blue and purple exterior and the Pride flag hanging from the ceiling. It frequently hosts exhibitions for local artists, and local LGBTQ groups often meet here, including BearScots, on the second Saturday of each month. Known for its fine reputation, Regent Bar is a finalist for the Great British Pub Awards in 2022.
Paradise Palms
Paradise Palms isn’t exactly a gay bar, but it attracts a lot of LGBTQ patrons with its funky decor, creative dining options, and drag cabaret. Leafy plants blend with neon lights at this bar just opposite the University of Edinburgh’s Bristo Square. It also has a record store inside, and upstairs it runs its own record label that highlights local electronica artists and a few international acts that have performed here. The record shop also has zines, clothes, and other cool pieces designed by local artists. If you fall in love with its creative, vegetarian soul food, you’ll be happy to know that it also offers takeaway services. Its cocktail list is extensive, and it also serves a range of fun shots to get the party started.
Victoria Bar
Victoria Bar is on Leith Walk, a 15-minute walk from the main gay neighbourhood in Edinburgh. This is another establishment that isn’t specifically a gay venue but is very gay-friendly and popular with LGBTQ locals. It serves local draught beers, delicious cocktails, and snacks. If you’ve brought your dog with you on your trip, this is a great bar to visit. It is dog-friendly and often has a jar of dog treats available.
The Wee Red Bar
A popular venue among the LGBTQ clientele, The Wee Red Bar is a small bar that’s part of the Edinburgh College of Art and is run by the students there. It features guest DJs each month, and the music ranges across genres and generations. It hosts a gay, disco-themed party (called Hey QT) once a month. On the third Saturday of each month, The Wee Red Bar hosts The Egg, its longest-running club night, where it plays an eclectic mix of punk, ska, indie, and soul.
Edinburgh Pride
Edinburgh Pride is a weeklong event held every year in June. It has its roots in marches, celebrations, and demonstrations of the late 1980s and 1990s, including the Lark in the Park events that began as a protest against Section 28, a series of laws across Britain that prohibited promotions of homosexuality. Edinburgh hosted Scotland’s first major Pride event in 1995, which saw over 3,000 people march from Broughton Street to The Meadows. In 2019, around 12,000 people joined the march. If you visit Edinburgh during Pride, you’ll find a range of events, parties, film screenings, and live performances being held at venues throughout the city, particularly in the Pink Triangle district. It also runs a community fair usually held in Teviot Square at the University of Edinburgh.
Gay hotels in Edinburgh
The majority of hotels in Edinburgh welcome LGBTQ guests, but the following hotels are the best recommendations we have for LGBTQ travellers. There are luxury options for those looking to go all out as well as budget-friendly options for those hoping to save money. Gay-owned, gay-friendly or gay-popular, you’ll be given the most exquisite service in all these establishments.
Holiday Inn Express
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh is one of the closest hotels to the city’s gay bars. This makes it within walking distance of Princes Street and St Andrews Square, so getting to all the major attractions in Edinburgh will be easy. With a 24-hour reception desk and express check-in and check-out, Holiday Inn Express is simple and convenient. Car parking spaces at the hotel can be limited, but there are other places to park nearby and most travellers won’t need a car in Edinburgh anyway. It serves a lovely breakfast each morning, in the cosy dining area.
The Glasshouse Hotel
The Glasshouse Hotel is a gorgeous, luxury hotel, located right in the heart of the Pink Triangle. It’s a wonderfully unique establishment, housed inside a gothic building that’s over 170 years old and was once a church. Depending on which room you stay in, you’ll get picturesque views, either of New Town or of Calton Hill. Its Snug Bar serves a range of Scotch whiskies (maybe try the one your suite is named after), and its dining area has floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of the city below. The rooms also have floor-to-ceiling windows (mirrored for privacy), along with comfortable, featherbed mattresses and luxurious linen sheets. Be sure to check out the hotel’s hidden gem — a beautiful rooftop garden — and book a room on the top floor for direct access.
The Baxter
The Baxter is one of the best options for budget-conscious travellers visiting Edinburgh. While it’s not specifically a gay hotel, the location is convenient for those heading to the Pink Triangle, and you’ll likely run into other LGBTQ travellers here and strike up a conversation. It’s also very close to a bus stop and train station, so getting around the city or heading out on day trips is easy. It offers breakfast each morning, and you can store food in the shared fridge. If you have valuables you don’t want to take with you when you go out for the day, you can store them in one of their safes.
Albany Ballantrae Hotel
Albany Ballantrae Hotel is located close to the Pink Triangle. It’s just a short walk from Waverley Station and Princes Street, so getting to all of Edinburgh’s best attractions is effortless. Its location is just the right distance from the busier main streets for most travellers. It has a calm, quiet atmosphere and you can explore Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town without needing to travel far. The rooms are large and lovely, with warm lighting and cosy decor. There is a breakfast buffet served each morning, and a hot breakfast is available for an extra cost.
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel is another accommodation option situated between the Pink Triangle and Princes Street. The rooms are comfortable, stylish, and spacious. Guests will enjoy the pool (indoor and heated) and sauna on offer, along with Elliot Restaurant, which serves delectable Scottish food. It also has a relaxed lounge bar where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a cocktail.
Tigerlily
Tigerlily isn’t just a hotel popular among LGBTQ travellers – its downstairs bar and restaurant is also a known hotspot for LGBTQ locals (even though it’s not technically a gay bar). The decor is modern and stylish with sleek, high-quality furnishings, housed in a historic Georgian-era building. King-sized beds, high-quality hair-styling tools, and excellent room service are the little touches that keep visitors coming back to this hotel. The bar has a wide range of cocktails on offer, including your favourite classics and experimental recipes that are constantly changing in order to use seasonal flavours and ingredients. Its Boozy Brunch serves a continental breakfast with frosé and prosecco, and it’s a huge favourite by hotel patrons and locals. Events and live performances are common, so make sure to ask the staff what’s on during your stay when you arrive.
Garlands Guest House
Garlands Guest House is a gay-owned B&B in Leith, Edinburgh. It’s tucked a little further away from the city centre than the other hotels on this list, but it’s a great option for those looking for a quieter holiday or wanting to explore the Leith area. The hosts are amazing and the rooms are beautiful, perfect for a romantic getaway. You’ll find there’s more than enough to eat for breakfast, and the food is delicious. It usually gets served at a shared table, so you’ll have the opportunity to meet your fellow guests over pastry, porridge, and coffee. There are only six rooms available, so be sure to book well in advance. They’re happy to welcome pets too!
