Leith Arches
WHERE
Edinburgh
What it’s like
A gig and events space in Leith you'd hire for a family party, not somewhere to just turn up with the kids.
This one's a venue for hire rather than a day out. If you're planning a big birthday, a christening do or some other family celebration, Leith Arches will take up to 210 guests for a full-day event, with the layout flexible enough to fit whatever you're planning. There's a mezzanine level too, good for up to 80, though that one's midweek only, not Friday or Saturday nights.
For families this is really about the party, not the visit. Catering comes through Haddows Catering or the Bandit Burgers street food truck, and you can bring your own suppliers if you'd rather, though outside catering gets a small surcharge on top. No outside alcohol is allowed, which is fair enough for a licensed venue but worth building into your budget if you were hoping to save on drinks.
Ground level is step-free and there's an accessible toilet down there, but there's no lift up to the mezzanine, so if anyone in your group needs step-free access, keep the party on the ground floor. Parking is on-street and limited, so if you're bringing a crowd for a family do, it's worth telling people to leave time or use one of the other options nearby.
The one age rule that matters for families: under-18s aren't allowed in after 11pm, and that's specifically for private functions. Outside of that, this reads as a venue built for parties, gigs and corporate events rather than somewhere with kids' activities laid on, so it suits families planning to host something rather than families looking for something to do with the children this weekend.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Families booking a party or event, not a casual visit with kids
- Parking
- On-street parking available (limited), with other options nearby
- Food
- In-house catering by Haddows Catering and Bandit Burgers street food truck
- Wheelchairs
- Ground level accessible. Accessible toilet on ground level only
- No outside alcohol allowed, so factor drinks into your booking rather than bringing your own
- The mezzanine can't be hired on Friday or Saturday nights, only midweek
- Glassware isn't included as standard, you'll need to hire wine and flute glasses if you want them
- The venue runs on a 1am licence
Plan your visit
Is this somewhere to bring the kids for the afternoon?
Not really. It's a hire venue for parties, gigs and corporate events rather than a place with activities laid on for children.
What's the age rule?
Under-18s aren't allowed in after 11pm, and that applies to private functions specifically.
How many people can it hold for a family party?
Up to 210 guests for a full-day event depending on layout, or up to 80 on the mezzanine, but the mezzanine is midweek only.
Can we sort our own catering?
You can use your own suppliers or go through Haddows Catering and Bandit Burgers. Outside catering gets a small surcharge.
Is it accessible if someone in the family uses a wheelchair?
The ground floor is accessible with an accessible toilet, but there's no lift to the mezzanine level.
Where do we park?
There's limited on-street parking, with other options nearby if that fills up.
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