There’s just a week left before Edinburgh returns to its old sleepy self again, but don’t fret. With opening hours being relaxed as they are during Fringe time – 3am for most pubs, 5am for clubs and some of the larger venues – there’s plenty of opportunity to wring every last millisecond of fun out of the festival month’s final seven days. Assuming you’re not the kind of person who’s into boring things like sleeping, anyway.
To aid you in planning your after-hours shenanigans, here’s a round-up of seven different reasons to stay up well past your bedtime, from late night comedy and cabaret shows to club nights. Just don’t be making any breakfast plans for the next day.
The Stand Late Club
No trip to the Fringe would be complete without some late night comedy, nor indeed some late night comedy at The Stand. Across two hours each night, five different stand-ups perform their best and bawdiest material while the audience – and probably the stand-ups too for that matter – get steadily trollied on a late bar. Keep an eye on @StandComedyClub for lineup announcements. Guests so far this year have included Johnny Vegas, Stephen K Amos, Tiffany Stevenson and Craig Campbell.
The Stand, August 28-29, 11.45pm
Late Night Phantasmagoria with Jack Lukeman
Veteran Irish cabaret, rock and folk singer Jack Lukeman – better known as Jack L – returns to The Famous Spiegeltent for a late night stint after appearing on the Fringe last year as part of La Clique, and following a UK tour with Jools Holland. Something of a Fringe fixture – this will be his 14th year at the festival altogether – he channels all from Brecht and Brel to Walker, Waits and Cave with skill and charisma.
The Famous Spiegeltent, until Aug 31 (not 30), 11pm
Soul Jam special with Bill Brewster
Bill Brewster wrote the book on DJing. No, really, he did. First published in 1999, the British disc-jockey and author’s history of DJing ‘Last Night a DJ Saved My Life’, co-written with Frank Broughton, chronicled the role of the DJ in the 20th century. He also co-wrote the DJ’s bible ‘How To DJ Properly’ (somebody post David Guetta a copy please). Brewster will guest at Sneaky’s flagship soul night Soul Jam with a set of disco, northern soul and hip-hop bangers through to 5am.
Sneaky Pete’s, Aug 25, 11pm-5am
Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana Sit in a F*cking Yurt at 11pm and Provide Comedy and Commentary to Bad Wrestling Matches
Does pretty much what it says on the tin, really. Your hosts Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana sit in a yurt, watch bad wrestling matches and provide accompanying comedy commentary. You laugh. Be aware that Cabana is himself a professional wrestler, so you’d better laugh.
Stand in the Square, until Aug 31 (not 30), 11pm
Spank
Star guests, big laughs an electric atmosphere – you can tell why crowds keep flocking back to late night comedy party Spank! after 10 years on the Fringe, and that’s before we even get to the gratuitous nudity. James Loveridge and Abigoliah Schamaun are your able hosts, while guests so far this August have included Janey Godley, Marcel Lucont and Beardyman. One audience member will be invited to get their kit off before the end of the night. Bare flesh or your money back.
Underbelly Cowgate, until Aug 30, midnight
Late’n’Live
The original late-night Fringe comedy club takes place at the Gilded Balloon for its 29th year in a row and counting. Comperes this year include Patrick Monahan, John Hastings and Ray Bradshaw. Surprise special guests have ranged from Phil Nichol to Sean Cullen and Tiffany Stevenson (keep an eye on @LateNLiveGB for announcements). Drunken hecklers are a given and all part of the fun. Until the bouncers throw them out, anyway.
Gilded Balloon, until Aug 31, 1am
Hot Dub Time Machine. Best. Party. Ever.
The most modestly-titled show on the Fringe, nostalgia-powered decades and genres spanning club experience Hot Dub has become something of a late night fixture in Edinburgh since debuting in 2013. Much raved about, not to mention raved at, it’s the brainchild of DJ Tom Loud and sees all assembled travel back in time and music history to the birth of rock and roll, then dance, sing, yell and hug their way back to the present day. Sadly the time-machine stops functioning at 5am.
City Nightclub, Aug 26-27, 30, midnight