Whistle Binkies

The Whistle Binkies! Awesome place, with good live music. Twas very crowded though (saturday night) with mainly a tourist crowd, but the atmosphere was great!

We were led to Whistle Binkies by our illustrious tour guide from the Black Bull. Whistle Binkies boasts some live music and cheap drink specials. There was a packed crowd while we were there and I barely found a place to stand while my friends ordered drinks. When you’re walking around Edinburgh layered up in your warmest threads, walking into a stuffy, warm bar can really mess with you. You start taking off your layers with nowhere to stash your coats, scarves, gloves, and hats. People started piling them on top of the ATM!
I found a small table by the entrance and perched there. There were some interesting folk milling about, locals and tourists alike. I met some nice Brazilians while just hanging out. I had a drink and we left shortly after as it was getting late. It’s fun if you start the night out here, not so if you end it there. They are open til 3 am. We left and caught a cab back to our hotel.

Quite possibly the WORST place I have been to. I didn’t mind the trashy interior floors with alcohol spillage and rubbish all over as much as the HORRIBLE staff. They are rude and need desperate training on how to treat paying guests. The way they treat foreigners is shocking and uncalled for. The young guy and blond haired girl are especially rude. They should stick to cleaning the floors and not making eye contact with other humans, since they stink at it. To top it off they can not mix drinks (bartending 101?!). CLEARLY, will not be returning here, nor, will I send friends unless they make the changes behind the bar.
PS. I wish I can give this place NO stars :(

This place was reasonably priced with great live music and locals. Was there on a Sunday night, still very lively and funky!

Whistle Binkies is a hit and miss kinda place; it’s very much defined by the style of music that’s on. If it’s your scene, it’s a great pub. I’ve had great nights in here listening to classic rock and blues bands; equally I’ve had awful nights listening to Jazz and Ska.
The space in front of the stage is generally a no go as it’s populated by drunk folk that are convinced they can dance and have no qualms about battering into any and all.
The bar staff are rushed off their feet but maintain at least a forced smile and cheeriness about them at all times, and the bouncers on the door are highly pleasant and good at their job.
The beers on tap are usually decent, and the prices… well, they’re not bad. I’ve seen cheaper in Edinburgh, but that’s the live music premium, I’d imagine.
It’s a nice wee place to pop in and spend some time, but check the listings on the website first!

We went here at the recommendation of some locals. It was the only place they could think of when we asked some random people on the street where we could find some drinks and live music.
It was an interesting band. Sort of classic rock style. Decent sized crowd. We were able to sit ourselves down in one of the nooks with a couch. Unfortunately this meant we couldn’t see the band, but it was quite loud so we had no trouble hearing it.
Honestly, as a college group from America, every single place we went had very nice and helpful locals who were super chill and cool. We made some awesome friends with other people that wanted to party. Not here. Just being foreigners almost got us into a fight. There were quite a few older blokes. Guys pushing 40 or 50 who were trying to impress the ladies. They were not at all happy with us moving in on their turf. A couple of older drunken gents wanted to «step outside» when we danced with some college aged girls they apparently thought they owned the rights to.
Things at the bar were like this too. When we went up to the bar and asked what beers and whiskeys they had that were Scottish (I mean we didn’t go overseas to drink Bud Light) some guys in line behind us got super mad and grumbled under their breath about «stupid Americans holding up the queue».
No cover charge, and drink prices were reasonable by American club standards. The service was pretty quick and the bartenders were friendly. We took off and went elsewhere. Couldn’t find live bands anywhere else, but we didn’t feel welcome here.

Popped in one afternoon as I hadnt been in this pub for 7 years or so and fancied a quick pint, and to revisit the place too. I have not left a pint in years because it was so bad till I came here. Complained to the bar staff they didnt care. I noticed that the alcoves that I used to love have had some weird seating added to them rather than than the big tables that were once there. The seating was really odd and uncomfortable. I would avoid unless your mates bad or similair is performing here.
Really disappointed such good memories of the firendly staff, good pints and drunken evenings.

Like down to earth pubs? Love listening to live music? Then Whistle Binkies is the place for you.
They have live bands playing 7 days a week, loads and loads on the line up each day. Check out the website to see what’s on —
It also describes the music genre so you can plan your night depending on your tastes.
With lots of drink promotions, a spacious bar and room for a boogie this really is a great little spot. Open until 3am every night this is a great alternative to the Edinburgh club scene. They also hold open mic nights if you want to show off your talents.

I was in Edinburgh for a week. I went in on the first night. I came back every following night. ~3 bands _​each_​night. Decent beer selection, including cask ales, cheap but very good whisky.
Most bands were very good, the other ones weren’t bad either.
If you have only few nights to spend in Edinburgh, don’t miss this.

Whistle Binkies, oh, Whistle Binkies. How you smell so rank! I have never, ever, been to Whistle Binkies except as a last resort. Possibly because I have an incredibly sensitive nose, and Whistle Binkies pushes that nose to despair. Possibly because I’ve not once seen a good show here. As noted in at least one of the reviews of this place, Whistle Binkies is most definitely full of an array of sleazy men, which I find always reflects on the venue itself, rather than on the sleazy men. Something attracts these people to this place.
The one good thing about Whistle Binkies, though, is that it stays open way later than most places in Edinburgh. By places, I mean pubs. Apart from Whistle Binkies, if you want to stay out drinking, then you have to go to a club. But if all you want to do is just sit down, have a pint, and have a chat, Whistle Binkies seems to be the only place you can go.

I really like Whistle Binkies; it is one of those bars that still has character. Just off the Royal Mile it is easy to miss, but if you head in down the stairs you’ll find a really cool venue. It has an underground décor to it, with rustic walls and little alcoves and cave esque areas to sit in. The main area is pretty reasonably sized, with a space for a bit of boogying in front of the stage.
And a good boogie is important here, as it is primarily a live music bar. They have everything on, normally folk /​rock /​classic rock covers but also more obscure genres. The bands are all pretty good as well, obviously with a few exceptions, I remember in particular an electronic-​latin-​funk-​ska band who were terrible (unsurprisingly; no band should have that many genres).
The downside is firstly that is gets absolutely boiling, especially during the summer. If you are in the main bar bit then it can sometimes be unbearable. But even worse than that are the prices — they are ridiculous. Pints are £3.50 upwards, and bottles even more. A friend of mine got their guest ale and a half was £3.95. Having said that there are a few beer deals which save you a few pennies here and there, but it is an expensive night. Best is to go after having a few at another place earlier and end up there, as it is open until 3

Whistle Binkies is, as Matthew says, one of the best known live music bars in the centre of Edinburgh. It’s also the place where many a local band will start their run to hoped-​for musical stardom. It’s not that large on the inside, and so on a busy night there is no hope of getting somewhere to sit, and you will inevitably end up being uncomfortably close to a complete stranger.
But this merely adds to the atmosphere. It’s the sort of thing that you’d expect from a small music venue. I haven’t been in a while, but I don’t doubt that it retains its charm. You never really know how the bands are going to turn out — but you could find yourself with some genuinely good music on display.

Having heard all about Whistle Binkies, and read the reviews on Unilocal,I decided it really was time I tried it out for myself. I wasn’t expecting much– I hadn’t really heard anyone rave about it, but I went in with an open mind, and a few vodka sodas down my gullet.
It was a Thursday so the bar was pretty busy as a couple of live acts were playing, I can’t remember the names of them but they weren’t that good (sorry!) and I didn’t feel that comfortable in the place. I wasn’t particualarly dressed up but I still felt like people were sort of staring at us, maybe they could sniff the Glaswegian on us! The drinks were expensive, and tasted really watered down which I hate! I’m sure loads of bars do it so that’s why, in places like this, I usually stick to beers!
I can see why people like the place, it’s everything a rock venue should be; the acoustics are good, the stage is great, the bands are numerous and varied and it has the sort of atmosphere that I would expect from somewhere as dark and sweaty as this, which definitely has it’s place.
Maybe it’;s because It was a new experience for me but I honestly didn’t see what was so bad about the place. Don’t go expecting a quiet drink, fancy cocktails, a seat or to leave without your make up sliding off your face with sweat and you won’t be disappointed.

Whistle Binkies is one of the most well known bars in Edinburgh which offers live music every night! From rock, prog, folk and indie, this place will have live bands which match your musical taste!
I keep coming back to this place partly due it’s range of live bands but also partly due to the lack of live music in the area during the week!
Apart from that, the place is always busy at the weekends and has a very cosy atmosphere, apart if your sit near the back door, in which case you will continually get a draft!
Apart from the live music and warm atmosphere this place is very pricey for drinks! For a live music venue bar, prices are very steep compared to other venues! For students this is the downside, but for tourists, the prices are not a major concern (This bar is popular with tourists due to its closeness to the Royal Mile).
Great live music, shame about the price for drinks!

I’m not sure why this place is getting so slated.
Yes, its dark, cramped and dirty.
Yes, its expensive.
Yes, you get old men sweating away next to twenty-​somethings off thier face.
Yes, the live music is often terrible.
BUT — i still like this place, theres just something about how all these crap things come together that makes Whistle Binkies fun and a good night out. I promise.

This is just the kind of establishment that live music should be viewed in of a random evening. Anywhere that is similar to an underground, dimly lit cave, which allows you entry to its alcoholic bellows after 1am, is exactly where I want to be.
The crowd in here is a mix of students, classic rock types, live music devotees and individuals like me who stay out far beyond their bed time, when they should be getting their beauty sleep for work the next day.
Binkies has long been known for its commitment to live music and local bands, and I’ve seen some really unexpectedly good acts perform here. I like the random charm of not knowing what to expect from whoever is coming on stage next, which is what makes pitching up here for some impromptu gig viewing really enjoyable.

I have been to WhistleBinkies several times but I’ve never really enjoyed it. It plays live music regularly of a fairly wide variety but it’s mostly punk or acoustic bands. This sort of music isn’t really my thing so I’m not an authority to comment on it, however, even those that are claim the bands that play here are, in general, nothing special.
One of the main issues which I have with the pub is that the drinks seem ridiculously expensive with pints costing over £3 so, unless you’re prepared for an expensive night, it isn’t the best venue for having a heavy session in. Further, it’s feels a bit dark and cramped and if you’re not dressed like Alic Cooper some of the customers seem to think they know something that you don’t.
Having said this, WhistleBinkies is a popular pub in which many seem to regularly enjoy the music and for this they deserve credit, it’s just not quite up my street.

Whistle Binkies is a confusing one. I have had some completely different experiences here– once I came across a great jam session and had a fantastic time and the next time it was just plain awful– the clientele seemed to be mostly sleazy old men pretending to be hot shots and the music was bad.
It’s a live music bar and you don’t really approach here for the over-​priced drinks– rather for who is playing. The variety is so random so I can’t really classify it as a particular genre of music place. Check their website is my best bet.
The location is just off the Royal Mile and seems to be surrounded by drunk and puking in the early hours neds. However, you can easily leave and go to one of the many other establishments in the area– so you aren’t exactly stuck in the middle of no where if you decide you don’t like it.
It’s a bit too hot and cold though to rely your night on, but on a positive note you may get a great night out of it.

I have never been too keen on Whistle Binkies. It’s quite dark and perhaps rustic and cave like which gives it a bit of character. But the drinks are so expensive that you probably won’t spend a lot of time here.
The main reason I ever have for going to Whistle Binkies is to see a friend or band play live music. I have yet to see a band play in here and actually sound good. Something about the equipment or acoustics just don’t work for me as even the best singer can sound off in here. I saw a Rage Against the Machine cover band in here which was quite entertaining as everyone leaped around, but it quickly got very cramped and very sweaty.
I wouldn’t go here for a quite drink because as they have live music most nights, it gets very loud and you could end up having to endure something pretty painful.

How good this place is really depends when you go; I’ve had some great nights here but these have been balanced out by some really awful ones!
What’s great about WhistleBinkies is that it’s the only place in Edinburgh I know that has live music on every night. However this music is different every day, so you could get everything from traditional scottish folk through to ska through to heavy metal. My advice would be to do your homework — check their website to see who’s playing every day, or play it safe and go on a monday for their Open Mic night.
What’s bad about it is the drinks prices. You can expect to pay £3.50-£5.50 per drink, which would be ok if there was ever anywhere to sit. Although the quirky alcoves, various nooks and crannies, sofas and upturned barrels for tables do give the place a certain rustic charm, there are simply not enough of them.
If live music is the most important thing for your night out, this is probably your place. If you want loo-​roll in the bathrooms, ice in your drinks and somewhere to sit… then it’s probably not.