🌈Gay Edinburgh 2025

Gay nightlife

Edinburgh has several gay bars, all located close to each other, in what they call the pink triangle. Many of these places are also open during the day and have a food menu.

In the weekend the bars are very busy. Also a lot of (str8) girls come to the bar, probably for a 'safe girls night out'.

Visiting Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a very popular weekend break destinations. The city is beautiful, there are several museums, a lot of sightseeing, restaurants and some gay bars.

Where to stay?

The city center is divided in the Old Town and the New Town. Both is great to stay, everything is on walking distance. Just expect some climbing to do, as the city is build on some hills.

Hotel recommendations

hotel Fraser Suites Edinburgh
Fraser Suites Edinburghgradegradegradegrade

70+ rooms

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hotel Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre by IHG
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre by IHGgradegradegrade

180+ rooms

Holiday Inn Express

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hotel ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge – Royal Mile
ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge – Royal Milegradegradegrade

250+ rooms

ibis

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hotel Motel One Edinburgh-Princes
Motel One Edinburgh-Princesgradegradegrade

140+ rooms

Motel One

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hotel ibis Styles Edinburgh St Andrew Square
ibis Styles Edinburgh St Andrew Squaregradegradegrade

90+ rooms

ibis Styles

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hotel Motel One Edinburgh-Royal
Motel One Edinburgh-Royalgradegradegrade

160+ rooms

Motel One

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Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh
Radisson Blu Hotelgradegradegradegrade

230+ rooms

Radisson Blu

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Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh
Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburghgradegradegradegrade

190+ rooms

Leonardo Hotels

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more hotels: booking.com

Edinburgh gay bars and clubs

CC Blooms

CC Blooms is one of the main gay venues in Edinburgh. It's a large place, and open all day for food, dinner and drinks. At night at turns into a bar and nightclub.

In the weekend it can be packed. Including many young female visitors doing a "safe night out". Fortunately in the weekend the club in the basement is open which is more gay. There is limited internet reception  downstairs, which probably makes it less interesting for the girls night out with their instagrams ;-)

In the basement you can also find a coat check. The venue has security guards outside. If you look young make sure to bring ID for checks.

place
23-24 Greenside Pl, pink triangle, Edinburgh
schedule
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  • mon - thu
    11:00 - 05:00
  • fri
    13:00 - 05:00
  • sat - sun
    11:00 - 05:00
Hours may vary.
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Planet Bar

The Planet Bar is one of the more campy gay bars in the pink triangle. 

It opens early in the afternoon, but closes more early than the other bars in the area.

place
6 Baxter's Pl, Edinburgh
schedule
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  • mon - thu
    15:00 - 01:00
  • fri - sat
    13:00 - 03:00
  • sun
    15:00 - 01:00
Hours may vary.
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The Regent Bar

The Regent Bar is a relaxed gay bar, with a home atmosphere. Serving drinks and food.

place
2 Montrose Terrace, pink triangle, Edinburgh
schedule
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  • mon - sun
    16:00 - 00:00
Hours may vary.
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Hotels
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Edinburgh
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Map of hotels in Edinburgh

Combine Edinburgh with:


Belfast

UK


230 km from Edinburgh

Belfast guide

Manchester

UK

The Manchester gay village makes this city a place to return to over and over again. It gets never boring.

280 km from Edinburgh

Manchester guide
Liverpool harbourphoto by Nighttours

Liverpool

UK

Liverpool is a popular city destination. The city has a musical vibe to it, because of its Beatles history. The gay scene is quite large.

280 km from Edinburgh

Liverpool guide

Dublin

Ireland

Dublin is small but a lovely city to visit. The LGBTQ+ scene is small but gets very busy in weekends.

350 km from Edinburgh

Dublin guide