What's the Most Lively Social Hostel in Edinburgh? Inside Castle Rock Hostel’s Events, Atmosphere & Nightlife
- Jay
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
If your backpacking trip is taking you to Edinburgh and you're looking for a hostel where it's actually easy to meet people, you'll likely find Castle Rock Hostel popping up on Hostelworld and elsewhere online.
Set right in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle in the middle of the Old Town, it's known for its huge and varied common areas, relaxed social atmosphere, and daily social events that bring travellers together naturally - where that's over drinks, games, pub crawls, Scottish dance lessons or more.
If you're considering a stay at Castle Rock, read this article first so you can get an idea of what to expect and whether it's right for you.
Book your stay at Castle Rock through Scotland's Top Hostels to get the best price and flexibility:
What Makes Castle Rock Hostel One of the Most Social Hostels in Edinburgh?
A big part of what makes Castle Rock feel so social is the layout itself - with its huge Main Lounge, comfortable Posh Lounge with cosy corners, the Groove Lounge with guitars and instruments for jamming, and even a Cinema Room showing films nightly.
It's the sort of spaces where people end up hanging out naturally instead of disappearing back to their dorms. When a hostel has such a variety of spaces to spend time in, it really compliments the rest of your trip, as it means you're not confined to just your dorm and one small common space.
Because the hostel is so open, the social atmosphere feels genuinely mixed and inclusive. You get solo travellers, small groups, long-term backpackers, digital nomads and more staying, and everyone has space to relax, work, cook, play games or a round of pool together.
The other thing that helps is the daily social events - from a nightly solo traveller meet-up at local bar Dropkick Murphys through to a big group event that takes place each evening, and weekly hikes up the nearby viewpoint Arthur's Seat. Read on to find out more about Castle Rock's social event schedule.
What Kind of Social Events Does Castle Rock Hostel Run?
In short, the kind of social events that leave a big impact on your time in Edinburgh. From free pub crawls through to traditional Scottish dancing, pub quizzes, group hikes and more, you'll quickly get to meet new people, explore the city together, and the best part is that almost all of them are free to take part in, so you won't break the bank doing so.
Although sometimes change it up here and there, here's roughly what the weekly social looks like if you stay at Castle Rock Hostel in Edinburgh:
Day | Event | Start Time |
|---|---|---|
Monday | Pub Quiz | 8:30pm |
Tuesday | Whisky Tasting & Comedy Night | 6pm & 8:30pm |
Wednesday | Ceilidh (Scottish Folk Dance Party) | 8:45pm |
Thursday | Free Pub Crawl | 7pm |
Friday | On the Rocks Pub Crawl | 7pm |
Saturday | Beer Pong Tournament | 8:30pm |
Sunday | Karaoke Night | 8:30pm |
Are the Events at Castle Rock Hostel Good for Solo Travellers?
Definitely, and it's a big reason why so many solo backpackers choose to book a stay at Castle Rock. The events don't feel forced, but break the ice suitably with others you'll meet - for example the Wednesday Night Ceilidh Dancing, where a live band teaches you all the steps, and all you have to do is be brave enough to pair up with a fellow solo backpacker!
The Thursday night free pub crawl comes with plenty of games and challenges along the way so you can avoid standing around awkwardly waiting to meet someone, and it means the focus isn't just all on the drinking. You also team up with fellow backpackers at the Monday night quiz, meaning you can start the week with a whole group of new friends to explore the city with.
The best part is the variety, some nights are more relaxed, others a bit more party-oriented, but you can always choose to hang out in the great common areas around if you choose to have a laidback night in on those bigger party evenings.
Castle Rock isn't simply good for solo travellers, it's easily the best choice for variety, sociability, and getting to make the most of your time in Edinburgh.
Is Castle Rock Hostel a Party Hostel? (Honest Answer)
Not necessarily, it's a social hostel that you can definitely party at. Especially on the Thursday and Saturday nights, where the pre-drinks for the free pub crawl and beer pong tourney definitely feel like you're a part of a big backpackers house party, but at the same time there's so much common space around that is quieter if you want to relax.
You'll likely find people hanging out together at all times of the day - from finding people to explore the city with at breakfast, through to just after check-in time, through to the social events, all the way through to people playing a few games at pool late in the evening. You don't have to party to meet people, but if it's what you're looking for, you'll find the best balance of social/party/laidback in Edinburgh at Castle Rock Hostel.
So, Should You Stay at Castle Rock Hostel If You Want to Meet People in Edinburgh?
Yes - from the daily social events through to the varied common spaces, you'll definitely find it easy to meet people while backpacking in Edinburgh if you book a stay at Castle Rock Hostel.
Book your stay at Castle Rock through Scotland's Top Hostels to get the best price and flexibility:
If you're looking for something a little more relaxed but still social, try High Street Hostel, which has a bit more of a wholesome vibe while still running daily events:
And if you're wanting a complete oasis of calm with a friendly welcome, check out Royal Mile Backpackers:
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