Sandy Bell's

Sandy Bell's is a small traditional pub at 25 Forrest Road, on the Southside near Greyfriars in Edinburgh, Scotland, and one of the city's best-known venues for folk music. The pub has hosted free traditional sessions since the 1940s, and musicians still gather around a corner table to play fiddle, accordion, guitar and pipes. The wood-panelled room is compact, with a bar along one side, so the music is an intimate, close-up experience rather than a staged concert.

The crowd is a mix of regulars, musicians, students from the nearby University of Edinburgh and visitors who have come specifically for the sessions. Ages range widely, from students to retirees, and the atmosphere is friendly and unpretentious. There is no dress code; casual clothing is the norm. The music is Scottish and Irish traditional material, typically starting around 9pm most evenings, with some afternoon sessions and daily music during August when the festivals bring extra visitors. Sessions are informal, and the repertoire follows whoever is playing that night, so no two evenings are quite the same.

The drinks programme is that of a classic drinking pub rather than a cocktail venue. A pint of beer costs about £5.50 to £7.50 (roughly $7 to $10), and a dram of whisky starts from about £5 (about $7), with a range of Scottish malts and cask ales behind the bar. Food is limited, so most visitors eat beforehand in the surrounding Old Town or Southside. There is no cover charge, and music is free, though the bar relies on drink sales and a tip jar is sometimes passed for the musicians. Reservations are not part of the model; seats are first come, first served.

Because the room is small and the sessions are popular, it fills quickly, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings and throughout the August festival period. Arriving early is the only reliable way to get a seat close to the musicians. The pub is a short walk from Greyfriars Kirk and the National Museum of Scotland, making it an easy addition to an Old Town evening.