Location: Cowgate
Top Things to do in Cowgate
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What to do and see in Cowgate, Scotland: The Best Concerts & Shows
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city, renowned for its heritage, culture and festivals.
Take a long walk around the centre to explore the World Heritage Sites of the Old Town and New Town, as well as all the area’s museums and galleries. Then stop for a delicious meal made from fresh Scottish produce before heading out to take in one of Edinburgh’s many events — including the famous summer festivals of culture, or the Winter Festivals of music, light and ceilidhs.
Restaurants in Edinburgh
1. Monkey Barrel Comedy
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 305 reviews
Edinburgh's best rated Comedy Club. #1 in Edinburgh for Bars & Clubs and Concerts & Shows on TripAdvisor. 5 Edinburgh Comedy Awards nominees since 2017. 3 time Scottish Comedy Award winner. Open 7 nights a week. See monkeybarrelcomedy.com for more details.
Reviewed By Jesshoggy
Went to an open mic night on a Monday night with low expectations really & we didn’t stop laughing! Service at the bar was great, all the acts were funny and the host (think her name was Amy Matthews) smashed it, although we both said we would’ve liked to have seen more of her. All in all was a great night and I would highly recommend!
2. Magdalen Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By Margo7850p
I spotted this chapel as I walked down Cowgate towards the Grassmarket. I am really glad that I noticed it and it was open to visitors. The Magdalen Chapel is a 16th century chapel located almost beneath the George IV bridge in the Cowgate in the Old Town of Edinburgh. The chapel was built between 1541 and 1544. It was bequeathed by Michael MacQueen and also his wife Janet Rynd who is buried within. A semi-circular wooden platform was installed at the east end around 1615 and the layout of the Chapel was altered. The tower and spire were added about 1620. The stained glass in the middle window of the south wall features the Royal Arms of Scotland and the Arms of Mary of Guise. It is the only intact pre-Reformation stained glass window in Scotland. The Victorian façade obscures the ancient stonework. An inscription over the door reads 'He that hath pity upon the poore lendeth unto the Lord and the Lord will recompence him that which he hath given''. Architects Simpson and Brown undertook a major restoration programme in 1992/93. It is now the headquarters of the Scottish Reformation Society. A small but really interesting chapel worth seeing.
3. Stramash
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 726 reviews
Stramash is a lively live music bar and late night diner open until 3am every night. Showcasing the best bands from across Scotland and all around the world. Located in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town in a converted church with a capacity of 900. Stramash also boasts the largest HD Screen in Scotland showing all top sports fixtures.
Reviewed By chrisreeves2017 - Weston super Mare, United Kingdom
When visiting Edinburgh we always make a bee line for Stramash, this is a great live music venue and always has a decent band playing regardless of which day you visit, I've always found the door staff pleasent and welcoming even though some times you have to queue to get in.
4. Whisky & Wizardry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Come enjoy a dram of Scottish whisky and an amazing close-up magic show performed by the amazing Wilf Keys at The Lost Close underground vaults below CoDE Hostels The CoURT.
Reviewed By granteasdon
Located in a historic building on The Royal Mile, Wilf puts on a great show! I was expecting a small social event for the hostel, but with Wilf's showmanship and talented magic tricks - this was one of my favorite parts of my trip. This is a great way to start a night out in Edinburgh!
5. Institut francais d'Ecosse
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 25 reviews
Founded in 1946, the Institut français d’Ecosse is the Scottish outpost of the French Embassy in the United Kingdom. Within its Edinburgh base, it combines: - A cultural venue with a 55-seat theatre for shows, music, theatre, talks, cinema screenings, and an art gallery; - A French language centre with about 1,500 students per year, more than 150 classes and 15 teachers; - An on-site and digital resource centre in the forms of our médiathèque and the online Culturethèque; - A network of correspondents coordinating its membership throughout Scotland.
6. Underbelly Theatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By VWriter - Los Gatos, United States
On a Sunday morning when most of the shops and cafes in this neighborhood were sound asleep, this theatre is amazingly wide awake. There are up to 5 small theatres within the large building and there's also a cafe and bar. Our play was performed in a tiny basement theatre and it was packed with 60 to 70 people taking every seat. The Underbelly has a reputation, particularly during the annual Fringe Festival, for bringing to the public high quality plays. I appreciate this standard that the management insists upon because the play we saw was excellent. I will try to see more plays at the Underbelly because I can depend on seeing the best that's offered, in an intimate atmosphere.
