The Best Affordable Bars in Edinburgh for Backpackers, Solo Travellers & Hostel Guests
- Jay
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Heading to Edinburgh on your backpacking trip and looking for the best bars where you can meet people without breaking the bank? Whether you're looking for cheap pints, live music, late-night dancing, or a place to chill out, we've got you covered.
Guests at all Scotland's Top Hostels locations in Edinburgh get exclusive discounts at some of Edinburgh's best bars, pubs and nightclubs! Book your stay today to unlock your discounts:
Explore our three legendary Edinburgh backpackers hostels here:
For the most social and lively party vibes:
To stay right in the middle of town and close to the action, but a bit more laidback:
For the best mix of social and chill:
What Is the Best Hostel in Edinburgh for Nightlife, Bars & Backpacker Pub Crawls?
If you're looking at hostels in Edinburgh that offer the best nightlife, without a doubt Castle Rock Hostel is going to offer you the best experience. With nightly social events, you'll be able to explore the city while making new friends, and heading out to some of the best affordable and fun bars around town. From their legendary free Thursday Pub Crawl through to Traditional Scottish Folk Dancing, you'll never be short of something to do every evening.
Maybe that sounds like a lot? Don't worry, just down the road you can book in at High Street Hostel or Royal Mile Backpackers - both have a more laidback social vibe where you can hang out, relax, and the best part is, you can head up to Castle Rock whenever you like to take part in their events too. High Street also offers up a slightly more relaxed set of events if you'd rather take part in their Tuesday Pool Tournament or Saturday Morning Free Walking Tour.
The most important thing to consider when booking a hostel in Edinburgh is the location - especially for nightlife, you'll want to be close to the Old Town. All three of the hostels we've mentioned here are centrally located in the middle of the Old Town, making it easy for you to find all the best backpacker bars, and be close to the centre of the action.
Where Should Backpackers Go Out in Edinburgh? The Best Area for Pubs & Nightlife
The best part of town for backpackers to head out in is the area around the Cowgate, a street which runs parallel to the Royal Mile. Formerly the 'Irish Quarter' of Edinburgh, it's now lined with loads of different bars, pubs and nightclubs each with a different vibe. The best part being that many offer backpackers exclusive discounts!
Edinburgh is a city with nightlife 7 nights a week - so no need to worry even if you're planning a midweek stay, you'll definitely find something going on each night along the Cowgate. For example, Stramash host a free weekly Ceilidh (traditional Scottish dancing with a live band!) every Wednesday from 9:30pm, and Dropkick Murphys offer free line dancing lessons, which they call Honky Tonk Tuesday, every week at 10pm.
The atmosphere on the Cowgate is definitely student-led, with backpackers fitting naturally right in, so you'll find yourself mixing with locals and students alike.
Guests at all Scotland's Top Hostels locations in Edinburgh get exclusive discounts at some of Edinburgh's best bars, pubs and nightclubs! Book your stay today to unlock your discounts:
What are the Best Pubs & Bars in Edinburgh for Backpackers?
Bar Salsa - Cheap Venom Cocktails & Floor Filling Dance Tunes
Located right at the start of the Cowgate, there's no better place to start your night than Bar Salsa, it's a tiny bar that fills up quick, owing to their affordable cocktails, pints and shots. As a popular pre-drinking spot before hitting the club, expect a mix of students, locals and backpackers alike filling the floor for the weekly Karaoke nights on Wednesday and Sunday, or for their Monday night Pub Quiz.
Guests who stay at Scotland's Top Hostels locations in Edinburgh can take advantage of £5 venom cocktails - a proper Scottish cocktail that comes in a hundred-and-one different flavours, as well as discounted mixed drinks, pints and shots.
Directions to Bar Salsa:
4042 - Beer Pong & Late Night Liquor
Just a stone's throw from Castle Rock Hostel you'll find this one-of-a-kind dive bar, with both ping pong and beer pong tables, it makes the perfect spot to take your new friends and get involved in some friendly competition. There's likely to be beaty tunes, a lively vibe, and as a late night spot you can hang out and see the tables cleared to become one big dancefloor late in the night.
With cocktail pitchers, an impressive range of bottled beers, and pints on tap, there's plenty to enjoy at 4042 - Late Night Liquor. Guests who stay at Scotland's Top Hostels locations in Edinburgh can enjoy 20% off their drinks all night!
Directions to 4042 - Late Night Liquor
Dropkick Murphys - Live Irish Music and Amazing Guinness
Ever wanted to experience a mix of old school Irish pub with bright neon and live music late into the night? If not, why not? This unique party spot is legendary along the Cowgate for its pints of Guinness and busy vibe. It's an easy spot to meet people both on and off the dancefloor, or catch a big sporting event.
There's regular free events at Dropkick Murphys including their famous Honky Tonk Tuesday, where you can enjoy line dancing lessons and grab a pint or two from 10pm onwards. Guests who stay at Scotland's Top Hostels locations in Edinburgh can take advantage of £4.20 Tennents/Magners (beer/cider) or a House Spirit & Mixer for just £3.50!
Directions to Dropkick Murphys:
The Pear Tree - Big Beer Garden and Lively Vibes
Okay, so we can't guarantee that it'll be beer garden weather during your stay in Edinburgh, but The Pear Tree offers the best of both worlds - one of the city's biggest beer gardens with a huge screen overlooking it, making it the perfect place for a sunny day and especially if there's a rugby or football match to be watched.
In the evenings its one of the biggest student watering holes, located right next to the university's main Old Town campus, and always has a lively vibe even on weekdays. Guests staying at Scotland's Top Hostels locations can enjoy 20% off drinks all day and night!
Directions to The Pear Tree:
Whistlebinkies - Live Bands Every Night
Whistlebinkies is an Edinburgh landmark in itself, located in the shadow of the Tron Kirk just off the Royal Mile, you'll find it bustling with people who head underground to the bar's live music venue, which is inside the arch of a buried bridge. The unique architecture matches an exciting programme of live music that ranges everything from jazz to rock and back again.
Being located right alongside some of Edinburgh's best late night clubs, you'll find it often full of people who head to listen to bands completely for free every evening. Guests staying at Scotland's Top Hostels locations can enjoy 20% off drinks all day and night!
Directions to Whistlebinkies:
Mortal Kocktail - Drinks & Arcade Machines
Fancy something a little more offbeat? Mortal Kocktail is found down a side alley off the beautiful Cockburn Street, and manages to squeeze an entire old-school gaming arcade inside alongside some nice booths to enjoy a cosy cocktail. It's got a laidback feel and makes the perfect place to head after a day exploring the closes and wynds of Edinburgh's Old Town.
Guests staying at Scotland's Top Hostels locations can enjoy 10% off drinks all day and night!
Directions to Mortal Kocktail:
Jazz Bar - Live Jazz from Across the World
The independently-owned Jazz Bar is located just off of the Cowgate, where you'll find a blend of world jazz from local Scottish artists and further afield, depending on the night. It makes a laidback evening if you head early, but the dancefloor is likely to be full, especially at the weekends, with folks grooving out until late into the night.
Guests staying at Scotland's Top Hostels locations can enjoy exclusive discounts - enquire within for the discounted menu!
Directions to the Jazz Bar:
Explore our three legendary Edinburgh backpackers hostels here:
For the most social and lively party vibes:
To stay right in the middle of town and close to the action, but a bit more laidback:
For the best mix of social and chill:
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