Header Image

Venues for Performers

All of our venues and performance spaces available for the Fringe are listed below. Click on the links for full details, plans and photos. There is also Venue Map at the bottom of this page.


How our venues are set-up

For each of our venues below you can click through to a separate page with all of the specifications for each performance space. Our spaces range in capacity from 20 to over 150.

All of the rooms are separate spaces from public areas of venues, apart from stages marked as suitable for music only

All of the rooms are set-up and managed by us, and are supplied as standard with a full PA system, lighting and stage set-up, audience seating, and are ready to go for your show. Many have more facilities available with larger PA systems, lighting rigs and projectors or other AV, backstage areas and so on – These details can be found when you click on the link below for each venue.

Please do not confuse us with other free venue promoters who ask performers to supplier their own equipment, build their own spaces and are often in inappropriate areas of public bars without a separate performance space - or in some cases not really venues at all.


What shows are suitable for our venues

We have spaces suitable for all Fringe genres and we programme a mixture of genres at each venue to provide a varied programme in each space, an indication of genres we feel are suitable are listed for each venue.

If you are planning any free walking tours of Edinburgh, Scavenger Hunts, or similar why not include these in the Free Festival programme, or the can start/end at a free festival venue.


If you have any questions on our venues email us on info@freefestival.co.uk

Click here for general Performers Information and click here to Apply for a Space in one of our venues


32 Below

32 Below (Fringe Venue 442)

32b West Nicolson Street. Phone: 0131 667 7533

Click here for map

 Bar Food WiFi AirCon All ages until 6pm, then 18+ only

32 Below and sister venues The Counting House and Pear Tree form a complex featuring shows in three performance spacesand a huge outdoor courtyard. 32 Below is located right in the heart of the area most associated with the Fringe, within seconds of the venues in George Square and Bristo Square

Performance Genres possible at 32 Below:

Comedy Theatre Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Nightclubs Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in 32 Below:

The Cellar: 70 Capacity, Rectangular room - raised stage

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


Bar 50

Bar 50 (Fringe Venue 151)

Within A&O Edinburgh City Hostel, 50 Blackfriars Street. Phone: 0131 524 1989

Click here for map

 Accessible Bar Food WiFi All ages until 10pm, then 18+ only

Bar 50 is the lively bar of the A&O Edinburgh City Hostel (formally the Smart City/Safesay Hostel) on Cowgate, always busy and Vibrant this venue is in an ideal location in the centre of Edinburgh, with a built in audience from the hostels residents. It is only a few minutes from the royal Mile. Bar 50 has been a Free Festival venue since 2012, after previously running Fringe shows under another promoter.

Performance Genres possible at Bar 50:

Comedy Theatre Childrens Musicals and Opera Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in Bar 50:

Marquee: A Square, 60 capacity Marquee located in the courtyard

The Alcove: A 60 capacity room at the corner of the Hotels main bar, with raised stage and wing space

Upstairs: A small, rectangular 35 Capacity room

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


The Counting House

The Counting House (Fringe Venue 170)

38 West Nicolson Street. Phone: 0131 667 7533

Click here for map

 Bar Food WiFi All ages until 9pm, then 18+ only

This year the Counting House remains a bustling hub of the Fringe, with two performance spaces and access to the lively bar and Courtyard of the Pear Tree Below. There's more shows in the basement venue 32 Below too. The Counting House is located right in the heart of the area most associated with the Fringe, within seconds of venues in George Square and Bristo Square

Performance Genres possible at The Counting House:

Comedy Theatre Childrens Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in The Counting House:

The Attic: A 35 capacity room on the 2nd floor, ideal for solo performances with flat stage and no backstage

The Ballroom: One of the premier performance spaces on the Fringe, with a large raised stage, backstage area, wing space, 150 seats and full lighting and PA. Suitable for all manner of productions, large and small.

The Loft: A 35 capacity room on the 2nd floor, ideal for solo performances with flat stage and no backstage

The Lounge: An intimate space, with 65 seats, ideal for solo/duo performances.

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


The Free Sisters

The Free Sisters (Fringe Venue 272)

139 Cowgate. Phone: 0131 622 6802

Click here for map

 Accessible Bar Food AirCon All ages until 8pm, then 18+ only

Described as “The Free Festival’s version of the Pleasance Courtyard”, the Free Sisters is located on the Cowgate, right in the middle of town. Usually a multi-room venue located around the courtyard, this year there are shows in one room next to the courtyard, which is now an outdoor drinking area full of tables for before and after shows.

Performance Genres possible at The Free Sisters:

Comedy Theatre Childrens Courses Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in The Free Sisters:

Maggie's Chamber: Upstairs 140 capacity (100 seats) venue, with raised stage, full PA system and lighting, and small backstage. Ideal for cabaret shows and the room can be set with small tables or theatre style. Projector and Screen available.

Maggie's Front Room : A smaller room adjacent to Maggies chamber, with a 70 seat capacity cabaret style, small stage on the flat and full PA system.

The Courtyard: A flexible outdoor stage, suitable for music, busking and street performance

The Gothic Room: Located at the back of the main downstairs bar, with raised stage, lighting, PA and a capacity of 80

The Wee Room: A small and intimate 25 capacity room ideal for comedy shows and intimate solo theatre or music

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


The Hanover Tap

The Hanover Tap (Fringe Venue 259)

112 Hanover Street. Phone: 0131 225 2022

Click here for map

 Bar Food WiFi 18+ only

Located on Hanover Street, The Hanover Tap was completely refurbished in 2019 and it focuses on delivering great beer and food in a comfortable urban environment. Previously this bar was the Jekyll & Hyde, and has been one of the Free Festival's longest running venues - literally just around the corner from George Street and Princes Street Gardens.

Performance Genres possible at The Hanover Tap:

Comedy Theatre Events and Tours Music Musicals and Opera Cabaret Spoken Word 

Performance Spaces available in The Hanover Tap:

The Wee Tap: 60 Seats in an L-shaped room, with a flat stage. A cosy and modern space. A room which is always popular with crowds and performers.

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts


Online Shows

Online Shows (Fringe Venue 999)

On your Laptop, Phone or Tablet... In Your House. Phone: 020 3287 5533

Click here for map

 Bar Food

The Laughing Horse's home for online venue - Watch these Fringe festival shows online streamed, zoomed and viewed from the comfort of your own sofa, while getting all of the fun and laughs of being at the Fringe in Edinburgh.

Performance Genres possible at Online Shows:

No Genres have been listed at this venue

Performance Spaces available in Online Shows:

The Internet - Faceboook Streaming:

The Internet - Mix Cloud Streaming:

The Internet - Twitch Streaming:

The Internet - YouTube Streaming:

The Internet - Zoom Show:

Watch Any Time - Recorded Shows:

Click here for full details, tech specs and room layouts



Free Festival Venues

In 2021, we look forward to welcoming you back at some of these venues in Edinburgh... and the rest will be back in 2022!


View Free Edinburgh Fringe Festival Venues in a larger map.