Are you looking for fun things to do in Edinburgh for adults? If you enjoy spending the night out on the town without the sounds of screaming children echoing through the air – Edinburgh is the perfect place.
Whether you want to feel like a child again (without the presence of actual children) or listen to one of Edinburgh’s most gruesome ghost stories without it being watered down so it is family-friendly – there is an entertaining adult-only activity in Edinburgh for whatever you’re in the mood for.
Check out my list of 18 fun things to do in Edinburgh for adults to have the best child-free night of your life.
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18 Fun Things to Do in Edinburgh for Adults
Take an Adult-Only Ghost Tour
One of the best things to do in Edinburgh is take one of the many ghost tours the city offers. Most ghost tours are for all ages, but a handful has the darkest and most gruesome stories, which means the stories are too much for anyone under 18.
Two of my favourite ghost tours include the Night Walking Tour with Underground Vaults and the Underground Vaults & Graveyard Ghost Tour.
Check out the best ghost tours in Edinburgh for the complete list of the best ghost tours for adults.
Book here: Adults Only Edinburgh Night Walking Tour with Underground Vaults
Book here: Adults Only Edinburgh Underground Vaults & Graveyard Ghost Tour
Movie Night at Scotland’s Most Haunted Pub
Step inside The Banshee Labyrinth, Scotland’s most haunted pub, to watch a film inside the dark cinema deep within the vaulted rooms of the pub.
Films are shown weekly or monthly, offering several different genres, including B-list movies, zombie movies, alternative films and horror.
They have a complete list on their website if you want to request a film.
The Late Show @ The Comedy Attic
If you love comedy, I highly recommend spending a night out watching the hilarious The Late Show at the Comedy Attic. The show is hosted by Rick, the MC, who is funny enough as he chats between performances by some of the UK’s best comedians.
The venue is small, so it feels very intimate, but no one is safe from being abused by the comedians!
The Late Show @ The Comedy Attic is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh for young adults and couples. If you want an evening full of fun and laughter, definitely check out The Late Show.
The show is on Friday and Saturday nights and usually sells out, so I recommend booking a ticket for the night you want to go.
Book here: The Late Show @ The Comedy Attic
Go on a Pub Crawl in Edinburgh
Going on a pub crawl is one of the best things for adults in Edinburgh. Edinburgh has some of the most impressive historic and haunted pubs. You can explore the historic pubs or visit the best haunted pubs in Edinburgh alone, but I recommend booking a pub tour! There is no better way to experience them all than taking a pub crawl in Edinburgh.
Find out more here: Pub Crawls in Edinburgh
Take a Barrel Ride at the Scotch Whisky Experience
Okay, Scotland is known for having the best whisky in the world. There are loads of whisky tours around Edinburgh (and Scotland), but they all pale compared to a tour at the Scotch Whisky Experience.
I was absolutely enamoured by the fact that the entrance into the whisky tour begins with a ride on a barrel. You become the whisky!
Anyway, the Scotch Whisky Experience also has the largest collection of whisky, which is on display in a stunningly gorgeous room. You will get to taste some of the nicest whisky you have ever had and keep the whisky glass as a souvenir.
If you are looking for a fun thing to do in Edinburgh for adults only, I recommend a trip to the Scotch Whisky Experience.
Book here: Scotch Whisky Experience
Listen to live music at the Jazz Bar
One of the best things to do in Edinburgh for adults is, hands down, a night listening to live jazz at Edinburgh’s Jazz Bar.
The venue is located below Chambers Street in a cellar pub that makes you feel like you are stepping into a hidden world full of great drinks and live music.
They have live music shows during the international jazz festival, the fringe festival, and all year round. It doesn’t matter what time of the year you are visiting. You can listen to live music every single day.
I love the jazz bar so much and list it as one of the best things to do in Edinburgh.
Enjoy a Concert by Candlelight at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral
Spend the evening surrounded by the flicker of candlelight dancing off the walls as you enjoy listening to live music performed by a local string quartet.
The concerts are all different themes, including shows like 100 Years of Warner Bros, where you will hear songs from Scooby Doo, The Exorcist, Batman, Harry Potter, and Casablanca (plus many more!)
Technically, this isn’t an adult-only event in Edinburgh, as children over 8 can go if accompanied by an adult. However, I have been to a few of these concerts and haven’t encountered anyone under 25 years old.
Book here: Candlelight Concert in Edinburgh
Play in an Adults-only Ball Pit
Spend the night jumping in the ball pit without accidentally punching a child in the face at Ballie Ballerson in Edinburgh. This adult-only ball pit is one of the most fun things to do in Edinburgh for adults.
Ballie Ballerson is more than just ball pits and delicious drinks – they also have boozy brunch day parties, cocktail trips and karaoke nights.
So, if you are looking for one of the best days out in Edinburgh for adults – why not spend it jumping into a ball pit?
Book in advance, as tickets to the ball pit go quickly.
Book here: Ballie Ballerson
Take a Potions Class at the Cauldron Magical Experience
Want to make potions like the witch or wizard you’ve always been? Take a potions class at the Cauldron Magical Experience. You will get to brew your own themed cocktail or mocktail. Plus, you get a welcoming drink that you pour yourself, which honestly is cooler than it sounds. The potions are magical as they are colour-changing, filled with dry ice, and much more.
Also, if you are looking at spending Halloween in Edinburgh. They always have special Halloween-themed potions for you to make during the spooky season.
Book here: Potions Class
Fun things to do in Edinburgh for Adults – Fayre Play
Step back into the world of nostalgia by visiting Fayre Play in Edinburgh. Fayre Play is the first fun fair game experience for adults only.
Some of the games include Skee-Baw, Slam Drunk, Duck Hunt (you better bring home a duck!), Cal-Tin Hill, Glass Market and every other game you remember from days out at the local fair.
If you are looking for fun things to do in Edinburgh for adults, I highly recommend a visit to Fayre Play. However, it is much more fun with larger groups of friends, so I don’t recommend it for solo nights out or with another friend.
Find more more here: Fayre Play
Go Stargazing at the Royal Observatory
If you love stargazing and astronomy, you must spend an evening at the Royal Observatory. They offer tours where you explore the stunningly beautiful Victorian telescope dome. And (depending on the weather), you will end the tour with a chance to stargaze on the roof.
Beer Tasting Session @ The Lost Close
Head deep into one of Edinburgh’s historic closes and enjoy some beer while listening to the history of beer brewing in Edinburgh. You will get to taste several different types of beers – everything from light to golden to darker beers. Plus, you will learn how to taste beer like a pro, which will definitely impress your friends.
This is an adult-only activity in Edinburgh, as it involves drinking beer. Take all of your adult friends out on the town and learn about Edinburgh’s rich beer history.
Book here: Beer Tasting Session @ The Lost Close
Go to Edinburgh’s Underground with Mary King’s Close
Technically, Mary King’s Close doesn’t have any adult-only tours. However, I’ve been there at least 40 times over the years, and there were never any children on my tours. So, while I can’t guarantee you will have an adult-only tour when visiting the historic close – chances are high it will be you and several other adults.
Mary King’s Close is a portion of a close buried deep below Edinburgh after the plague hit Scotland. If you love dark history in Scotland, you will love visiting the underground city.
Book here: Mary King’s Close
Whisky and Folklore in Edinburgh
If you love folklore and whisky, this tour is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh for adults. Visit the bespoke whisky lounge Hot Toddy and enjoy four single malt whiskies from different regions in Scotland.
During the tour, you will hear about the history of whisky and storytelling as you sip on tasty, sweet, citrussy and smoky alcohol. The storytelling is hilarious, fun, historic and all about Scottish Folklore. This is one of the best whisky tours in Edinburgh, too!
Book here: Whisky and Folklore in Edinburgh
Enjoy Edinburgh’s Stand Up Comedians
Edinburgh has some of the best comedy clubs and is the perfect way to spend a child-free evening in the city.
There are several different comedy clubs with stand-up comedians nearly every night of the week. I recommend visiting Monkey Barrel Comedy, Just the Tonic at The Caves, The Comedy Attic and the Stand Comedy Club.
Dance the Night Away at a Ceilidh at Ghillie Dhu
Experience Scottish food and a live ceilidh band at Gillie Dhu in Edinburgh. If you’ve ever wanted to enjoy a real ceilidh, I recommend the dinner and ceilidh at the Burly Ceilidh Club.
The Ceilidh is 18+ only, making it perfect for people looking for fun things to do in Edinburgh for adults.
The event takes place on various different dates. Be sure to check their website so you can attend the next ceilidh!
Find out more here: Burly Ceilidh Club – Dinner And Ceilidh
Take a Cocktail Masterclass at The Alchemist
Enjoy mixing up cocktails at The Alchemist in Edinburgh. With three different packages, it is the perfect way to spend a night in Edinburgh. You can choose lighter spirits, including a colour-changing drink you can drink when you first arrive. Or you can enjoy more mature cocktail flavours. Or even an alcohol-free package for people who want to enjoy making drinks without the alcohol.
Find out more information here: The Alchemist
Enjoy Rooftop Drinks in Edinburgh
You must get drinks (and food) at one of Edinburgh’s rooftop bars to see stunning views of Edinburgh. I recommend the Nor Loft, Chaophraya Thai Restaurant, Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Cask Smugglers or The Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage.