10 popular Edinburgh pubs and clubs from back in the day according to readers

By Gbam Godwin On Dec 1, 2025

10 popular Edinburgh pubs and clubs from back in the day according to readers.

We asked our readers where the top bars and clubs in Edinburgh were back then.

Over 300 people contacted us to share their stories from the past. Sign up for the Edinburgh Evening News daily newsletter to receive all of the latest news from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Here are ten once-popular Edinburgh clubs and bars.

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1. The Americana Disco

Pictured here in 1972, The Americana Disco was the brainchild of Paddy Reilly who launched a number of popular nightclubs in Edinburgh

Many readers said they missed Buster Brown's in Market Street which was also known as Electric Circus in later years. Many generations will remember flocking there on a night out and our readers described it as "one of the best". Pictured are dancers at Buster Brown's disco in Edinburgh, September 1979.

2. Buster Brown’s

Many readers expressed nostalgia for Buster Brown’s on Market Street, which was eventually renamed Electric Circus.

Many generations will recall going there on a night out, and our readers described it as “one of the best”. Dancers at Buster Brown’s nightclub in Edinburgh, September 1979.

Depending on your vintage, there is a space on St Stephen Street, Stockbridge, which will forever be the Pentland Club, Tiffany’s or Cinderella Rockerfellas.

3. Cinderellas Rockerfellas

Depending on your generation, there is a location on St Stephen Street in Stockbridge that will always remain the Pentland Club, Tiffany’s, or Cinderella Rockerfellas.

Billed as ‘Edinburgh’s home for alternative music’, Studio 24 was run by the same family from 1995 to 2017. Prior to this the venue was called Calton Studios and famously welcomed American grunge legends Nirvana on to its stage twice in 1990 and 1991. The 700-capacity venue acted as a pillar for the capital’s underground and alternative music communities, developing a formidable reputation for supporting new and unknown acts.

4) Studio 24 Studio 24, known as ‘Edinburgh’s home for alternative music,’ was run by the same family from 1995 to 2017.

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Prior to this, the venue was known as Calton Studios and famously hosted American grunge legends Nirvana on stage twice in 1990 and 1991.

The 700-person venue served as a pillar for the capital’s underground and alternative music scenes, earning a powerful reputation for promoting new and undiscovered bands.