Cabaret Voltaire

Cabaret Voltaire is a vaulted, cave-like electronic music club at 36-38 Blair Street in Edinburgh's Old Town, Scotland, with a capacity of about 500. The venue occupies the arched stone vaults beneath the South Bridge area, and the low, curved ceilings give the dancefloor a dark, enclosed feel that suits its programming. It is one of the city's best-known clubs for electronic music and draws both local clubbers and visitors during the August festivals.

The crowd is mainly in the 18 to 35 age range, with students, young professionals and dedicated electronic music fans. The atmosphere is dark, loud and dancefloor-led, with attention on the sound system and DJs rather than on conversation. Dress is casual and practical for dancing; there is no strict dress code, although door staff may refuse entry to people who are very intoxicated, and ID is routinely checked.

The music is centred on electronic genres, including house, techno and drum and bass. Friday and Saturday nights are run by promoters, so the line-up and style can change from week to week, and the venue calendar is the best guide to who is playing. The venue typically opens from about 11pm Wednesday to Sunday and runs until 3am, but opening nights vary, so it is wise to check before going. Drinks are club-priced, with bar drinks from about £5, and the focus is on beer, spirits and mixers rather than cocktails.

Cover charges are typically about £5 to £15 (roughly $7 to $20), with weekend tickets usually about £10 to £15 and higher prices for big events. Advance tickets sold online are recommended for popular nights, as they can sell out and often cost less than door entry. There is no formal bottle-service culture for general admission. Queues form at the door from around 11.30pm to 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and arriving early or holding an advance ticket shortens the wait. Blair Street is close to the Royal Mile and the Cowgate, so it is easy to combine with other Old Town venues.