The Pleasance

The Pleasance is a multipurpose venue complex operated by the University of Edinburgh featuring several connected performance spaces arranged around a central courtyard. The facility contains different-sized halls, a cabaret bar, and additional rooms suitable for theater productions, comedy shows, and live music performances.

The complex began as a student center run by the University of Edinburgh and transformed into a major festival venue starting in 1985. This shift made it one of the essential locations for thousands of performers and audiences visiting during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe season.

Throughout the year, the venue hosts student societies, sports activities, and live performances, switching to festival programming during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.

The venue offers wheelchair-accessible entrances, hearing loops in performance spaces, and staff trained to help visitors who need extra support. Arriving early is advisable, especially during August festival season, when many events run simultaneously throughout the complex.

The cabaret bar holds around 175 people while the grand hall in the sports center accommodates approximately 750 spectators, creating a range of venues for different artist types. This variety of spaces allows intimate comedy shows and large music productions to happen simultaneously throughout the complex during busy seasons.

Location: City of Edinburgh

Website: http://pleasance.co.uk

GPS coordinates: 55.94760,-3.18201

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:47