Underbelly started running venues in Edinburgh in 2000 when Ed and Charlie discovered the old Bank Rooms under George IV Bridge and Edinburgh Central Library. Still our main venue today and the only venue of it's kind in Edinburgh. Well known now to all as Underbelly, Cowgate, with seven performance spaces and four bars, over four floors. There are entrances on Victoria St and Cowgate.
From 2004 to 2008 we also ran venues at the atmospheric Caves on Niddry St South for the duration of the Festival to become the Underbelly's Baby Belly. With three performance spaces in the eerie caves under South Bridge it was another unique venue with a great eclectic programme. From 2009 this venue is now run and programmed by Darrell Martin under the guise of Just The Tonic @ The Caves.
Underbelly created their third site in 2006 at Bristo Square with the addition of Udderbelly our giant upside down purple cow. Why a cow? Why not?Now famously know as E4 Udderbelly as part of the Grolsch Pasture it has become the new hub of the Fringe with it's buzzing Al Fresco bar and amazing high profile acts. Also in 2006 Underbelly took over the Reid Concert Hall nearby and aptly named it Cow Barn. In 2007 we occupied the glorious McEwan Hall for 10 dates of Silent Disco madness, moving to Appleton Tower in 08 along with Office Party, but then returned to the splendor of McEwan Hall in 09.
In 2009 we added a whole new site to our portfolio with Underbelly's Hullabaloo taking over the George Square Gardens and creating a relaxing atmosphere to drink under the stars or catch a show in the 180 seat Bavarian Circus Wooden Bosco Tent. Unfortunately for us, but great for the Fringe, in 2010 this site will once again be run by The Famous Spiegeltent.
The great addition for Underbelly in 2010 is the glorious McEwan Hall as part of Udderbelly's Pasture, where we will be programming a string of great shows and taking full advantage of the 1,000 odd seats on offer to bring you the cream of Edinburgh Fringe talent!
Check out the links below for each of the venues for directions and images.
Edinburgh Venues
