The Jazz Bar
BEST FOR
Ages 0+
WHERE
Edinburgh
What it’s like
A basement jazz club where accompanied kids are welcome for live music, but only until 8.30pm.
This is a proper jazz basement, not a soft-play with a stage, so what your kids get is the real thing: live jazz, blues and funk most nights, and during the Fringe there are actual family and kids shows on the bill. It's a nice one for an older child who's curious about live music rather than a toddler who needs to charge about.
The catch, and it's a firm one, is the clock. Accompanied children are welcome, but only until 20:30, after which it switches to 18+ with ID like any other pub. So an early evening set works, a late one doesn't, and you'll want to check what time your show actually starts before you plan the night around it.
Getting in is the other thing to know about. It's down 25 steps in two flights, no lift, no wheelchair access, and the site is upfront that the old building just doesn't allow for it. If anyone in your group uses a wheelchair they'll need to be carried by their own assistant, who stays with them throughout. There's baby change in the women's toilets if you need it.
Money-wise, plenty of nights are free or pay-on-the-door, with ticketed shows for the bigger names. The music can get properly loud for a basement room, so ask at the bar for free foam earplugs if a small pair of ears needs them. Lighting is kept static, no strobes or smoke machines, which is one less thing to worry about with a sensitive child, though Fringe shows sometimes bring their own effects.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Older kids curious about live music, before the 8.30pm cutoff
- Booking
- Many shows are free or pay-on-door
- Lighting stays static with no strobes or smoke machines on regular nights, though Fringe shows may bring their own effects
- There are extra steps between the stairs and the bar itself, on top of the 25 to get down
- Free earplugs are available at the bar if the set gets too loud for little ears
Plan your visit
Can we bring the kids?
Accompanied children are welcome, but only until 8.30pm. After that it's 18+ with ID, same as any pub.
Do we need to book ahead?
Plenty of shows are free or pay-on-door, others are ticketed in advance for the bigger names. Tickets are usually guaranteed on the door unless a listing says otherwise.
Is it accessible with a buggy or wheelchair?
It's a basement down 25 steps with no lift and no disabled facilities, so a buggy is awkward and a wheelchair user needs their own assistant to carry them.
Will the music be too loud for a small child?
It can get loud. Free foam earplugs are available from the bar if you need them.
What are the family shows like?
Outside of regular nights, the Fringe Festival brings dedicated family and kids shows to the venue.
Is there baby changing?
Yes, there's an enclosed baby change stall in the women's toilets.
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