Habana

I really enjoy this place. It tends to attract mostly gay men, with fewer women, but the atmosphere is fantastic. There's often good music playing, and it feels lively and welcoming in the evenings. I've also visited during the day with my daughter for hot chocolate. The staff are wonderful and the prices are reasonable. It’s definitely worth a visit.

Cafe Habana is an LGBT-friendly bar with a lovely atmosphere and appealing decor that caters to a variety of tastes, including my own. Although it tends to be quite quiet during the day, except for special events and promotions, the bar really comes alive and gets quite crowded on certain evenings, particularly Tuesdays. I usually stop by Cafe Habana before heading to Vibe and I’ve never had a bad experience there. It’s a nice spot for a quiet drink if you’re just passing through, but it’s also a fantastic choice for a night out with friends.

Situated between the Playhouse Theatre and CC Blooms, this venue is a favorite among locals, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. The stylishly decorated bar runs along one side, and a large staircase leads to a balcony overlooking the main bar area, perfect for people-watching. It’s an excellent choice for pre-club drinks, especially with CC Blooms just next door, or even for a drink before a theater show. There are always great drink promotions available. On sunny days, the outdoor tables and chairs offer an even better spot for observing the crowd. The staff are friendly, and the atmosphere is vibrant, especially during evenings and weekends. They play fantastic music, host karaoke on select nights, and feature various promotions. Whether you’re looking for a quiet drink upstairs or on the street, or you want to kick off the night before heading to the clubs, this is the place to be.

The place has a somewhat worn-out vibe and could use some revitalization, but it was clean and featured a nice sound system. The drinks were quite affordable, and the staff was really accommodating—one even helped charge a friend's phone behind the bar for them! I'd definitely consider coming back; the atmosphere was enjoyable, with a lively buzz and lots of fun in the air. The highlights include the friendly bar staff, the warmth of the patrons, and the low drink prices. On the downside, the toilets are located down a back staircase, which can be a bit dangerous if you're tipsy, and the alcohol selection could be improved. Overall, it’s a solid choice for a late-night stop to stock up before heading to your final destination for the night.

I visited this pub with my partner while on our anniversary tour of Scotland, and I have to say it’s the friendliest place we’ve encountered in Edinburgh so far. We arrived early on a Saturday night and decided to stop by after finding it online among gay-friendly pubs. We were really impressed with the bartenders and the affordable beer prices, and we plan to return before we leave the country. The crowd had a great mix of people of different ages, and the staff were very welcoming, creating a pleasant atmosphere. Overall, we had a fantastic time—aside from one overly intoxicated patron, but that’s to be expected sometimes!