Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Cabaret Voltaire

    3.8 (48 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 3:00 am (Next day)

    Cabaret Voltaire Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Cabaret Voltaire

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Rezzi I.

    It's a little shameful that I still haven't been to this Edinburgh club on a night out, but I finally made it there to see a comedy show. The most bizarre show I have ever seen, but this review is about Cab Vol (as it's popularly known) so I'll stick to that. It's extremely central, being just a few minutes walk from the Royal Mile. I was surprised by the sheer size of the place; normally this may create an almost impersonal atmosphere, but Cab Vol is quite cosy and cave like, spread across two levels and wonderfully lacking in day light of any kind. As I said, I haven't been when the whole place is vibrating with music, and packed with people, so I've got more Cab Vol experiencing to do! However, it's worth heading there on a Tuesday night, when entry is free and music is dubstep, house, and techno. It's definitely going to be the first night I head there anyway.

    Emma C.

    Cabaret Voltaire is easily my favourite club in Edinburgh. It offers different club nights each day of the week with resident DJs and special guests, in the past these have included big names like Annie Mac, Steve Aoki, Krafty Kuts, Justice and Plump DJs. The music is mostly electronic (d'n'b / house / electro / techno), however there are sometimes gigs on earlier in the evening before the club nights start and these tend to feature up and coming indie bands, I saw Florence and The Machine & Little Boots here before they hit the big time. The club is situated in some vaults underneath South Bridge, and when you're inside it really does feel like you're in the bowels of the city. Admittedly the place does get pretty crowded and sweaty, but that's an intrinsic feature of its underground charm. This is not the place to go if you just want to pose and observe the world from a seat, dancing is obligatory! There is no dress code and you could feel equally comfortable here in a pretty dress or your scummiest jeans. Drinks are relatively cheap, prices do vary depending on what night of the week you're there though. If you're into music or the club scene, Cab Vol is definitely somewhere you should visit.

    the stage at a gig in CabVol
    Anna F.

    This is an underground club with a great mainstream music sound system and some of the most fun nights out in Edinburgh. At the beginning every month they have a 60s night which is grand, but Tuesdays and Thursdays they have electro and drum and bass with no entrance fee! As a music venue, I can say I have been very pleased, I came here a couple of weeks ago to see the ever so lovely Angus and Julia Stone, and I was impressed with the effort put into the show. It was only in one room, and packed, but somehow the underground atmosphere just brought so much to the show. The bar tenders were lovely and even the door men are not as aggressive (as seen in other well-established clubs). Why do people always get cramped in the back at gigs? There was plenty of space at the front where the stage was, and luckily the stage was higher up so everyone could see. The sound was superb as well, and even when Julia Stone was confused with her amp, the sound man was superb and efficient. The only think I can really hold against this place as far as gigs are concerned is that after the concert the lights are crudely turned on and cleaning starts immediately whilst we are all still there, in order to be ready for the next event.

    Cab Vol Main Bar Courtesy of Cabaret Voltaire Website
    Amy G.

    I am not a huge fan of Cabaret Voltaire- or Cab Vol as we locals call it. Its a very popular club with the trendy, indie, scene crew in Edinburgh. But its just not my type of place. I can appreciate why others may enjoy it, but not me. Firstly its very cramped inside and there is not a lot of seating. Yes I like to have a seat, so shoot me. I'm generally not intoxicated enough to be throwing myself around the dance floor like everybody else. The drinks are fairly cheap which is a plus side, but it does mean that attendees are usually pretty drunk so there is that kind of atmosphere in the club. The music is commonly indie/electro/drum and base which I personally don't enjoy. But if that is what you like, then you will probably like Cab Vol. I have been to see a few bands play here and it does make for an intimate gig which can be quite good. However the night club side of it is just not for me.

    I love Caberet Voltaire. In fact, I only have one complaint - so lets start with that. Cheap coke. Simple and not very much of a problem, especially when it has a double something or other in it. The trouble is when your are just gasping for it by itself and it tastes a bit 'bleugh'. Anyway, my one complaint over, I can get on with how good this place is. Firstly, Cab-Vol is underground - in the vaults of Edinburgh meaning the sound system in here rocks. Its amazing. Secondly the music they play varies night to night, so one time you might be listening to drum 'n' bass, and the next night somethng far more indie. Pretty cool, and although some nights may not be everybodies cup of tea, I love all of it. There are also some live music evenings, which are usually followed by an after party - which I thoroughly recommend. Thirdly, the layout of the club - it doesnt sound like something great, but one room can have the atmosphere of a quiet pub lounge while next door (albeit through 3 foot of heavy stone wall) there is a rave going on with the volume turned up to 11. Drinks are cheap (so the nasty coke isnt too bad...) and generally Cab-Vol is consistantly one of the best nights out in the city.

    Cab Vol (cringe at the abbreviation) is popular amongst students and locals alike as a place to find alternative music within the confines of an interesting environment. By the latter I refer to the burrow like low ceiling, hidden hallways and moody lighting. By the former I refer to the surprisingly good drum & bass events, and alternative house sets. Drinks and entry fee are pretty standard in terms of price and in general it's a reliable and fun club to spend the night. Expect excruciatingly long queues at the weekend.

    Cabaret Voltaire

    See all

    19 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    catch it on a good night and the atmosphere is great.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Always good music, always a good vibe and the cocktail bar dishes out some great drinks. Can't reccomend it enough.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 2 of 2

    Cabaret Voltaire Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Cabaret Voltaire

    If you answered yes, yes, and duh to those three questions then Cab Vol is calling you.

    Mentioned in 14 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    The Jazz Bar - Live Jazz on a Saturday night!

    The Jazz Bar

    4.2(81 reviews)
    0.1 miOld Town, Newington
    ££

    Found this place on December 23 after dinner in the neighborhood and looking for a nightcap…read more Followed the music down the stairs and discovered a jam packed bar with a (guessing) 20-piece jazz band and dressed-to-the-nines patrons. We worked our way through the crowd to the back of the bar and found some very cool sunken booths with couches and tables. Took ages to order our drinks at the bar, but the atmosphere and music was awesome. Haven't been to a jazz club this cool since Georgetown (D.C.) in the 80's.

    Okay so if you are a music lover and love being in an intimate place with live music...this place…read moreis for you! During my October 2014 birthday trip, we were looking for a place to dance and drink and while we were out at dinner someone at the next table suggested we try this place. We weren't far from it (or really anything in City Center which is one of the many awesome things about Edinburgh) so we walked over to it. The venue is tiny (can't imagine how they're doing during all of the pandemic social distancing and all) so there was a small line outside. We chatted it up with the other people waiting and smoking and the hostess. Once inside it was totally 1960s beatnik dive bar cool and quaint. It was dark with original old wood bar and banquettes, small round tables and mismatched chairs and cushions. There was a small raised stage at the back of the room and there was a four piece band onstage when we got inside. I should also mention that this place at least when I went is an after hours club. They were open until 4 am. Awesome right? YUP! We made friends with everyone around us and not around us because we are those extroverted people. We drank a lot like I don't even remember all the booze. Danced and had multiple nights of good clean fun. What could be better?!

    Photos
    The Jazz Bar - Great music, cool vibe

    Great music, cool vibe

    The Jazz Bar - A busy night!

    A busy night!

    The Jazz Bar - Photo from official website

    See all

    Photo from official website

    The Village

    The Village

    4.3(8 reviews)
    1.7 miLeith
    £

    For picking a random pub to listen to some of the music which was being put on as part of the Leith…read moreGala, I couldn't have picked a better place than The Village. Thank you bar staff for not hating the cheapest table ever with one non-drinker on tap water, and 2 on fresh orange, although some more smiles would have been nice - some seemed to be quite bitter with their lot! Otherwise, the music (the music of folk that is, and it seems from the ole interwebs that this is seems to be a folk-music driven pub) was excellent - we did pay our fiver to listen and watch from the back area, but found it much more amenable to sit and chill in the front bar to catch up with an old friend. Definitely the kinda pub I would frequent if I lived in the area. Not sure if it does food. Definitely recommended!

    This is a great wee pub, my local! Staff are friendly, so are the customers, but you can usually…read morecall them to heel (It is a dog friendly bar ;o) ) There's a main bar where you will find the gents' toilets and a lounge bar where you will find the ladies' - having just symbols is too much for me and I needed to be shouted at a few times! The bar is open 12noon to 1am every day and the back room houses art exhibits, changed every six weeks. It also has squashy couches and a couple of arm chairs. Great for sitting with the paper for a quiet half hour or so. The Leith Folk Club meet in the back room every Tuesday, Monsmeg Dancers every Monday and there's now a resident DJ every second Friday night, Jon Pleased Wimmin. The back room can also be hired out for any event. It's great for parties as you can bring your own food and music and decorate to your heart's content, I think it holds about 60 folk. It's an over 21s bar though, so no little folk and it's still a 1am close, which means you could go clubbing after! http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Edinburgh-United-Kingdom/The-Village/126341493096?ref=sgm

    Photos
    The Village
    The Village
    The Village

    See all

    Stramash - Main floor

    Stramash

    3.8(15 reviews)
    0.0 miOld Town, Newington
    ££

    If you're looking for a spacious pub cool vibes, with live music 7 nights a week and great…read moreperformers, this is your place.

    My daughter J and I went to Stramash with a few of her school friends after watching some World Cup…read morematches and then hitting a pub nearby. J exclaimed this was her favorite place to watch live music in Edinburgh. Once we entered (after paying a small cover) I could see why. It was a great space; the band was awesome; and the place was absolutely rocking! I also really liked how it was laid out. Unlike some cave-like pubs we'd visited, Stramash was a roomy, two-story venue with multiple bars. The second floor was loft-like, wrapping around three sides of the large room for maximum stage view-space. We headed to the less-crowded upstairs bar and got served immediately. The band was "The Scoundrels", a group from Glasgow: With fiddle, accordion, keyboard, guitar and drums, they sounded a bit like Mumford & Sons, but with a more Scottish/Irish inclination. Simply fantastic! I do prefer a band that writes and plays their own songs. Despite the roomer upstairs, my daughter and her friends were drawn to the main floor downstairs, which was filled with dancing patrons. We spent much of the remaining time there dancing, wading through humanity, and sometimes pogo-ing to especially raucous songs. I ended my night after that, sometime after midnight.; tired but happy. My daughter and her friends were discussing going elsewhere. (But they are 22 and I am...not).

    Photos
    Stramash - The Showhawk Duo

    The Showhawk Duo

    Stramash - By night

    By night

    Stramash

    See all

    Cabaret Voltaire - danceclubs - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...