Festival

We look forward to having you here, at the friendliest venue on the Edinburgh Fringe

We're a year-round venue, hosting clubs, gigs, comedy, theatre, film, talks, exhibitions, dance classes and cabaret.   Every August we go above and beyond our weekly ambitions, to bring you even more ... here's an introduction to this year's programme.

‘Fabulous fingers of fire!' After a decade at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe - Ricardo Garcia and Flamenco Flow have two shows at the Bongo Club.  This fiery Spanish group return, bringing the joy and spontaneity of the best of flamenco to the Edinburgh audience in a new evening show!  Also on during daytimes at weekend, Flamenco for the whole family!  Clap the rhythms, try the steps, sing the chorus!  Perfect for all ages, this interactive flamenco afternoon is informative, fun and energy-filled.  Step into Spain!

Multimedia inventiveness in Reykjavik, part travelogue, part detective story, where the past is a foreign country. Journey through the volcanic landscape of a half-forgotten love affair.  A touching, funny, visually stunning promenade installation, immersing you in the architecture of memory.

Devised by St Marys Youth Theatre, The Piano Project uses a mix of live film and physical theatre to re-imagine the mysterious life of Andreas Grassl.  Dubbed 'the piano man' by the British press, his fragmented journey inspired much international attention and fascination.

From Africa to America through song and dance, Movin’ Melvin Brown blends music to sing, dance and laugh to. With classic songs by Sam Cooke, James Brown, Otis Redding, it’s a definition of soul through song, tap and humour.

It’s always a pleasure to host Hils Jago and all the team from Amused Moose, with their Laugh-Off Final again helping to encourage new comedy talent after a marathon nationwide search.  Previous winners have included the likes of Jimmy Carr, Mark Watson, Alex Zane, Rhod Gilbert and Simon Amstell.

The ever-popular, ever-changing line-up at Comedy Club 4 Kids will have the over-sixes rolling in the aisles, with child-friendly sets from the finest comedians harvested from the entire Fringe.  Last year we had guest appearances by Rich Hall, Adam Hills, Jason Byrne, David O’Doherty, Brendan Burns and Pat Monahan amongst others.

It’s Funtime debuts on the Fringe, the quiz night with all the fizz and glitter of a game show off the telly.  Film and music questions, balloon-twisting, robots, kazoos, Kerrchinko, tower of strength and tip-top prizes.  A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

And once again The Bongo Club Cabaret, under the leadership of Rhymes With Purple Productions, will tickle all your funny bones and stretch your jaw muscles as you gape and roar at the variety acts on show with it’s expansive and alluring cross section of Fringe delights.

Our Café Gallery hosts an exhibition by Portobello artist Sean Lee, featuring forty of his colourful, detailed caricatures of the favoured and famous, originally commissioned by Radio Times magazine.

Add to all that a full roster of cult clubs, including many of Edinburgh’s year-round favourite, established nights running till 5am seven nights a week, we’ve got something for everyone, from late morn to early dawn.