Bannerman's Bar

great rock&metal bar with live music, great selection of beers. no food tough. Two days ago (on my birthday) I was in the other two popular metal&rock bars around here and was a bit disapointed (wednesday might ;_ the reason), this place definitely made it all up. 10/10, will come again. +live movies on Tv (Predator with Arnie, another plus as I am from Austria 🤣🤪)

Firstly, you need to be a lover of rock/metal music, if not better to find another place. Live music for an affordable price in a next room with a very good quality of sound. Staff friendly and quick serving the drinks. Very good atmosphere where you can meet very interesting people. I met a wonderful woman who made my night! I think it’s important to write that the beer is quite cheap compared to another places in Edinburgh. No food, obviously not needed. I’m in love with this bar!! I definitely will be back one day.

Didn't get food, was there to see Hawklords, with the added bonus of Marley Davidson. They were both fantastic and the venue was great, it is a small cellar room with an arched cobblestone roof, the sound was very good, vocals could have been a bit louder ( or god forbid the instruments a bit lower) it was a great gig. The two negative aspects were. Firstly the gents toilet was stinking, it was clean, well maintained but smelly, a splash of domestic would be good, second the green haired bar staffer! I politely asked if I could have the gig poster for the show, she was quite the rude and blunt in her refusal, I was told to come back after the gig, it wasn't what she said, it was her way of saying it, surprisingly it was gone at the end of the gig.

It's a rock bar with surprisingly friendly customers with great manners. No hassle, no trouble, just a nice place to have a beer and a great venue for live music. I've visited here twice and have no qualms about visiting again. This beer drinking music lover recommends!

Great venue, excellent sound system, top quality beer. The interior of the venue alone is amazing, friendly staff that made my friend and I feel welcome. Definitely a place for a night out in Edinburgh

Great bar, bad bar staff!! On our trip from England to Edinburgh we visited this bar, which was great, it had a fab atmosphere, the decor was brilliant and the live music bands were amazing. There was one particular bar man who should not be in a people facing roll at all! He is the most rude person I've ever met. He served other people whilst serving me, he shouted at us to tell him our order and when we didn't say it fast enough, he moved onto someone else (mid-order), he added more drinks onto my tab that weren't for me to pay for. We even witnessed him ordering someone to leave the bar because, when he gave the price of the drinks, the guy jokingly said 'omg, really?'!! The guy said he had the money but he made him leave!! Disgusting.

Good little boozer for rock lovers. Bit disappointed that they were charging so much for entry to see a covers band on a Thursday but the pub itself and drinks prices are reasonable

A real Muso's bar with live music and the occasional open mike. They have had some incredibly famous rock legends play there over the years. It's just a short walk from the Royal Mile but definately worth a visit. It has a small but cosy front bar but it does have another lounge at the back of the bar if you like it a bit more quiet. It is a rock bar so enjoy the tunes. You can also get a hand pumped cask ales if that's your thing. Definately recommend

This has always been my favorite pub in Edinburgh for more thar 30 years. I have come to Scotland more than 20 times, and I always make sure to stop in for a pint. Even one time walking half a mile on a sprain ankle to get there. They have a great selection of beers, always priced to be the most affordable in Edinburgh. The decor is traditional, and has changed very little in 30 years. A comfortable place, best on a week day or even late night. My only complaint is the extra loud Liquid Metal music played on the weekends

It's a dive dive bar. The music was soooooooo damn loud that I became an old man. It was liquid metal.... that's about as heavy as it gets. The bathroom was poison to the eyes and nose. Ugh...

Ah, Bannermans... my favourite watering hole from my university days in the Auld Reekie. The place where student woes go to die... apart from the money ones. ^^ Many people will probably know Bannermans as a gig venue (wow, it's been a long time since I've been to a gig here), and anyone who has been on the ghost tours will have passed it by. It tends to be one of those places that everyone has heard of, but often haven't gotten around to going to. It's not big and exciting, but it is a nice and relaxing rock pub, the sort where you can sit and have a natter with your friends without worrying about being drowned out by music or other ambient noise. The music is great, but not a dominant feature of the place. Because it's off the main stretch, it's never crowded unless there's a gig on or you're there on a weekend evening. I have found myself coming here every time I've been through in Edinburgh of late. It's not the cheapest of places to go - I know many cheaper - but if you're looking for a place to chill this is the place to be. Give it a go yourself, especially if you've had a hectic day in the capitol!

It's a local bar and nothing special. It's packed with people of all ages and all walks. There are some nice areas to sit and some tv screens to catch up on sports or whatever happened to be playing. I would find myself in this place if I happened to be in town and hanging out with mates. There are plenty of pubs in town so you don't have a lack of choice.

I came here on a Tuesday and even though at first I thought it was a rock bar (judging by its rock-decoration and tattooed and pierced clientele) and lo and behold there's a karaoke in the back room ,in a sort of underground stone room with a pool table. Its larger than it appears with about 3 dungeon-like rooms to spread out in (one of which is the stage/karaoke) and there is a good mix of locals and students to give it a very vibrant atmosphere. However, returning a week later I found a lot of the same people singing at the karaoke. Apparently it's their moment of fame. Bless and thank heavens there's alcohol to make it better for you.

Normally, dark pubs dont do it for me. They are just a bit too unsettling and more often than not a bit dodgy. Bannermans however, is the exception to that rule - Bannermans invites you to embrace the darkness, and its good. Like most pubs in this area of Edinburgh, Bannermans is a vault, with its exposed walls and low roof. There is a bar area (serving a wide range of drinks, and pretty cheap too) and also a place where a couple of times a week, a live band plays - usually rock, but I have seen folky type stuff here. Bannermans is a great bar, good staff, great atmosphere and cheap too. The music is good, and I do recommend it.

Well just called in Bannerman's bar to pick up two tickets for BEASTO BLANCO. love the band! So here I am Thursday 30th January at 12:50pm. It actually busy. Not bad prices today , kronenberg £3.70. I just love it here. Chilling out at the moment. Think I might stay for a while. Give it a try!!

While trudging around Edinburgh one evening, we walked under the massive bridge of South Bridge along Cowgate. While under the bridge we heard sound emanating from somewhere. Eventually found some holes within the stone walling under the bridge. We could put our ears up to the holes and here music....actually singing...of the karaoke variety. Walked a little further along Cowgate, and made it to Bannerman's. There's a bar area in the front, but if you venture further within you reach some alcove/cave-y looking rooms. They were all built with stones, and it became obvious this is where the sound was coming from. So, there was Karaoke under South Bridge. We ordered a few rounds and listened/watched to all the Scots sing away (I was too chicken to make an attempt). Overall, we had a fun time here. It was close to the Travel Lodge we were staying at down the street.

Ruffio is possibly one of the best dogs in Edinburgh. I met her in Bannermans and so I love this place. Apart from that, Bannermans is a great spot. There's always a decent crowd in, even midweek it might be quiet but there'll be a fair few in. Some nights it will be punks all over the place, others it's rockers. On other nights it's a touristy crowd. The point is there's always someone! There's often live music and sometimes it's free, which I approve of! They do decent pub food 'til late, which can at times be a blessing. The bar staff are alright. If you don't look the part sometimes they can be a tad pretentious which I don't like, but luckily the clientele doesn't follow suit. Everyone is so friendly, I'd say it's one of the friendliest bars around! The toilets are what get me (anyone who reads anything I write may notice I take toilets very seriously.) The weird, sloped, reflective-but-not-a-mirror ceiling confuses me. I don't like it. The toilets tend to be in bad shape too, which in a place like this might be expected but still. Overall a great spot. I enjoy my nights here and have made a few friends (not like that! get your mind out of the gutter!) including an adorable Husky-Alsation cross who seriously made my festive season a bit better!

In my brief stay in Edinburgh I absolutely fell in love with Bannerman's. The maze of tiny rooms and brick walls had that whole old Edinburgh feel. The drinks seemed reasonably priced to me (but judging from other reviews here they are pricey for the Cowgate). What really stood out for me was the friendliness of the bartenders and the other patrons. The first night I was there I got on well with the two bartenders, and the second night I wound up talking for hours to some English guy at the bar. From then on, Bannerman's became my go-to place to meet people, find good conversation, and get advice about Edinburgh. Interestingly enough, every single Edinburgher I met reacted positively when I mentioned going to Bannerman's. It seems like everyone in town used to hang out at that bar, and they all have at least one good story.

This is the place of tattoos, random american dudes, pints, good tunes and really random toilet conversations I did not want to get involved in!! But they were stories at least and amusing ones at that. I think otherwise this place would have been rather average. Only in Bannerman's have I had some random American dude try and chat me up by complimenting my shoes and saying that he 'needs' a picture of him getting a kiss from a scottish girl. And only in Bannerman's have I had a girl show me a rather unexpected photo (in the toilets) she received from some bloke she met to be told - if you are going to send a photo of *it* at least make sure it doesn't look this gross right?!!? ....... I mean what are the responses to either of these...... Bannerman's makes for an eventful evening that's what. That and being surrounded by tattooed beauties. What else does one need!?

It's a pub that definitely caters to a specific crowd. If you're not into metal or (really) hard rock, you might not fit in. Cheap(ish) drinks though.

Heading to Bannerman's in the Cowgate conjures up many memories of the days when I used to happily demand shots of Aftershock wherever I went (obviously just when I went to bars, I didn't go round to people's houses for dinner and ask that they serve me a double Aftershock, no ice, with my meal). Recently, I returned to Bannerman's for a more chilled out, civilised hook up with friends, and sipped on a cider rather a potent shot of cinnamon devil juice. It's relaxed here, and nice and dark, just the way I like it, so I feel like I could get immersed in chatting away for a few hours, and not really care that I'm in a bar. There's a small room for gigs at the back of the bar, which has a really intimate feel to it, and good acoustics as far as I can remember, although let's be honest, I'm not a massive expert on band acoustics. Let's put it simply, it sounded good, and I'm pretty sure a lot of decent Edinburgh bands that are regulars on the gig scene have graced the Bannerman's stage.

Unfairly or not, I have judged Bannerman's like the pretty skinny girl with big breasts tossing her hair at the bar. Too busy, too many people all up in it, too much fuss And I just couldn't picture myself elbow to elbow with 167 people waiting to pay 3.80 for a Stella (yes, seriously). And then I got to know Bannerman's. More than once I have landed in here for a "quick one" before moving on to a place that I feel more comfy in (a little danker, fewer people, a little less popular) and ended up spending the evening inside a warm and fuzzy pint counting the tattoos. Plus, it's attached to something that plays loud music and brings in a crowd of some very badass looking dudes. But the staff were wonderful (Stella still 3.80, but very little waiting), there's loads of space (only 13 elbows) and after a drink at the bar, you feel home. I'm sorry I misjudged you Bannerman's but I still hate that bitchy girl at the bar.

Even though I don't particularly like the music or the general style of Bannerman's Bar I've still chosen to give it four stars because I appreciate what they do for a particular niche in the undergound music scene. A friend of mine is in a band which regularly plays gigs at Bannerman's and although I'm not the greatest fan of that sort of music it seems to bring together a lot of like-minded people. The back room in which the bands play can feel almost claustrophobic but I think this is all part of the idea and it certainly creates a charged atmosphere. The drinks, although not a rip-off, aren't quite as cheap as some other pubs which are more student-orientated. This is fine though as Bannerman's Bar is not the place to get smashed before hitting the clubs but instead to meet some interesting people and enjoy the environment and music. Although not my kind of place, Bannerman's is due respect for its promotion of an underground music scene and is certainly worth a look if you're interested in metal or rock music.

For me Bannerman's is first and foremost a venue for live music, possibly one of the best known in Edinburgh... Flip through a copy of The Skinny and you will likely find at least 3 gigs a week here. That said Bannerman's is also a good pub. Stocking real ales as well as the more standard lagers and a good range of spirits it can be easy to stay here a while and just enjoy a drink. The interior design is a mix of traditional bar (dark wood, stone walls and heavy tables / barrels) and a tribute to the american biker bar (t-shirts in a case, a guitar and other rock paraphernalia) often seen in movies. Perhaps because people so often gather in Bannerman's to attend a gig there is a great atmosphere, one of those bars you could easily end up making a new group of friends in even if you weren't going to the show. Yes its on the cowgate, but it is perhaps the last bastion of "sanity" before you enter the danger zone of nightclubs and nightlife, give it a try if you like rock or just enjoy a fun night out.

Y'know, it's weird. I'd heard of Bannerman's for as long as I've been going to Edinburgh. I've seen tons of bands I know listed as playing there, I know people that practically live in there. I'd never been. I didn't even know where it was. During the Fringe, I was going from one tiny venue to another one, and walked by it and my brain made a DING noise inside my head, that moment you go "aaaaah that's where it is!" After the show I went to see - Darren Walsh, he was awesome! - I headed back to investigate. I'm glad I did. I made a point of visiting a few more times during August's Edinburgh bingeathon that is The Fringe. It's a great little rock pub, and has that nice vibe you only get from a good rock pub. A fine and varied choice of beer, lager and ale - not too steep on the prices, helpful staff with a nice line in sarcastic put downs for people trying to be funny. Not me, I hasten to add. I don't cheek people that give me beer. It's a rule. The sound coming from the stage area sounded good, so I must return to investigate that. Find it and give it a go! It's well worth it!

A bare and dark rock pub, the kind of place I grew up insort of. I always feel at home in these kind of places, even if I don't look it. While I was pleased and surprised to see so many ales in this kind of pub, my delight was tempered somewhat by how the live football was dominating the place. Not very rock and roll.

I usually go to Bannerman's to watch bands play. Most nights of the week there is various gigs on, ranging from rock to folk music. The interior is like that of many in Edinburgh, cave like with exposed stone walls. There is a separate room where the live music takes place, and generally it smells like a teenage boys bedroom. Its pretty dingy, but it does play host to some fantastic gigs. Occasionally fairly popular rock bands will come play at Bannerman's and it makes for an intimate but astounding gig. There is something about the cave like room that makes for good acoustics. A lot of up and coming Edinburgh (and further afield) bands play here, so its a good chance to see new talent. However I probably wouldn't choose to drink or eat in Bannerman's unless I was going to see a gig. The drinks are pretty expensive and there can be little atmosphere sometimes. If your walking past then its probably worth stopping by to catch some pretty decent live music.

Even though I'm not the world's biggest fan of this place, it is so refreshing to see a bar on Cowgate that isn't chav central. It's got all the low ceilings and rabbit-warren style layout that you'd expect to find in the heart of the Old Town, which brings me to my first grumble. Without wanting to sound princessy, as soon as there are more than about 10 people in here it gets really humid and smelly. Drinks aren't that cheap, either. I went once with my flatmate because we'd heard that pool was free in the afternoon for students, but when you pay George Street prices for a pint before long it actually works out as quite an expensive game! It's great for live music though. They regularly have local bands playing (usually along the indie/rock/folk lines) and these are always a good night.

Having previously experienced the utter awesomeness of being an Erasmus student, one of my first ambitions on coming back was to check out the international scene here at Edinburgh. Bannerman's is a frequent haunt of international students studying at Edinburgh University and as a result you'll find all sorts of nationalities here. Because of this, the place is generally thriving with activity on the international student nights and is a great way to meet some well travelled people, especially handy if you speak a foreign language. (wednesdays is the international student night) The pub itself isn't bad either. Plenty of alcoves and rooms to congregate in which is always fun...

Are you fan of live music or karaoke? If you then you'll probably be a fan of Bannermans. Tuesday is karaoke night and its one of better karaoke venues in Edinburgh. It makes for a great atmosphere and a decent crowd, who are on the whole supportive no matter how many numbers you decide to murder on a particular night. The only down side of this is that you'll need to get down in decent time if you're going to get your name down. The other speciality Bannermans offers is live music. It's not specific genres and not necessarily specific days though Monday is often the best if you're hoping to catch live music on the off chance. If you're lucky enough to be musically talented you can also enquire about performing. It's a decent stage and the room creates a great atmosphere. The one issue with Bannermans is the prices - they can be quite steep. There is, however, good news as a lot of the time they do 3 for 2 deals on pints - so ask about this at the bar before you order, although you are likely to need a student card for this offer.

Went there with my mate for a couple of pints (actually 3 Newcastle Brown Ales, aka Newkey Broon), as always a very lively atmosphere, busy environment, live music & very good service behind the bar. The barmaid efficiently dealt with a group of alcohol-over-the-limit punters avoiding the situation to escalate, great job & kudos to her!!! WiFi available too.

Bannermans is a live music venue of questionable credibility, particularly among the museo populus of Edinburgh. Specialising in outdated metal, pub rock and yawn-ensuing indie played on one of the poorest sound systems the city has seen this side of the 80s- it's certainly not the place to catch Edinburgh's 'next big thing' but an atmospheric watering hole and acceptable place to 'Rawk out' for sure! Drinks here are quite expensive given the locale and clientele a mixed bag at best, but the live sports driven bar, normally, gives preference to Rugby over Football which, I think is a nice touch. Ess

This is one of the few last live music venues in Edinburgh and a great one at that! Check out their 'what's on' schedule and you'll be amazing at the amount they squeeze in. The bars itself is located in the Cowgate so right slap bang in the middle of Edinburgh. The layout is pretty cool - to one side of the bar are lots of comfy seats to sit and chat, the other side you can stand and prop up the bar and at the back they have a little room like a cave where all the live music is laid down. This room has great acoustics so is perfect for local as well as international bands to do their thang. If you want a proper bar with no messing then don't look any further. Great option for down to earth, music loving individuals.

Bannermans offers live music and a busy atmosphere to people who venture that far down the Cowgate or down dark alleys off the Royal Mile. It's a great pub and it's usually full. It shows sport on TV and uses barrels for tables in places. The sporadic seating and old music related posters that adorn the walls add to its laidback, chilled out ambience.

Seen a few Good gigs in Bannermans and enjoyed myself Would go again :)

Bannermans is a solid supporter of live local acts. There's plenty of seating and space for drinking and shows sports on TV. There's a gig on most nights and you can see who's playing as it's written up in chalk above the entry door every day. I found drinks to be expensive here and although it can be quite a good atmosphere on a busy night, I just wasn't that excited by the place in general.

I like this place so much that we held our après wedding gig here! My husbands band (Sod's Law) played and it was great. Somewhere to go that hasn't disappeared up it's own backside. Only complaint is the nick of the toilets- sort it out.

One of the few remaining venues in Edinburgh with actual real life bands. That's right you read it correctly bands who play instruments and everything! Great pub too stocking a huge selection of whiskys and Bourbon (if you like that sort of thing) real ales and of course all the old favourites. Dark corners and comfy sofas what more can you ask for.

I find that Bannerman's is a mix between a Scottish pub and a Deep South American Bar, and that really works for me. It is one of the Old Town buildings so has got that whole exposed brickwork interior thing going for it. The rest of the bar is small, with few seats but if you don't mind standing a bit then you'll have a good time, as the atmosphere is great, and the bar staff are awesome. If you are looking for another cheap dive bar on Cowgate, this is not the place. It is one helluva load cooler, but you do pay a bit more for drinks. They are not too cheap but still, for a live music bar, much cheaper than say Whistle Binkies or Dropkicks. A pint will cost you about £3, with some going up a wee bit. They have a great range of beers, including some of the Brewdog ones, my favourite brewery, which do a black lager (kind of a lagery Guinness) and the cheeky Tactical Nuclear Penguin, a 42% beer. They also sell vicious shots, one which I braved was described as something that makes people drinking Jaeger look like pussies. I'll be honest, Jaeger is not my friend; it pretends to be lovely to me whilst I slowly sup it but then I wake up the next morning in increasingly obscure places, including the Meadows. This stuff did not have the same somnambulistic effect on me but was pretty hardcore. What sets this apart from other pubs is the live music. During the day the back room has 2 pool tables in (free for students), which are taken out in the evening to form a decent sized gig venue. Whilst certainly not huge, it is big enough to fit in a fair few people - think the bigger room at Cab Vol. They generally only show local bands, but some of the ones I've seen here were really good, and although you have to pay a little, are definitely worth it.

Friendly wait staff. Great rock/dive bar feel. Cold beers and friendly company. Easy walking distance from the mile or cowgate. Locals are very friendly.

Drunken flashback alert. I ended up here to shelter from a down-pour on a night out with the thought 'we may as well kill some time and have a drink til the rain stops.' Thankfully it wasn't long because this place really wasn't for me. Dirty, pretty smelly and really quite awful music. I felt the playlist could have been someone looking through my CD collection from when I was aged 14 (90s indie rock). No thanks.

Cocooned deep within the cowgate area, Bannermans delivers Rock with a punchful of attitude. Live acts to be seen and heard nightly and games of pool over welcomed pints and crisps to chill out to dailysweeeet!

one of the few places in Edinburgh that still has live music. or you could pop in for a quiet drink after work. a seperate part of the bar is used for the live music

On the corner of Cowgate and Niddry St, Bannermans is a lively bar that extends right under the bridge. It is a great venue for live new alternative music - punk, rock, metal etc. It is not the place to go for just a quiet drink. The bar also has added characters like the bit under the bridge drips when it has been raining though it does hold a certain charm. The main section of the bar has TV screens that plays alternative music videos. I would definitely call it a student pub (though not the cheapest). It also serves food.

Excellent live music venue with gigs most nights. It's most definitely a rock bar so if you're looking for typical acoustic acts playing scottish covers for tourists then keep going up the hill to The Royal Mile! It's under a bridge and so is a bit cold, dark and quiet during the day but really busies up at night. Pints were a bit expensive but they had bottled beers and some spirits for £2 which is good if you're on a budget. The staff were friendly and able to recommend whiskes (they have hundreds) to my friend who was visiting from america and wanted to try a single malt.

love this place and the atmosphere in this place is awesome ... the live gigs are a must .... great wee hidden treasure within edinburgh

A haven for rockers and metallers when they fancy a quiet pint of 80, Heather Ale or a Scotch. There is a cavern at the back which often has a local band playing... and I've heard rumours of a pool table. I likes it!

We retreated here after Hogmanay this year. We are 30 somethings and were hoping to escape the aftermath. We had an absolutely excellent time and met some wonderful people. Highly recommend.