Step into a bygone era in this Fringe venue in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. A hidden gem tucked away in the basement of the Royal Scots Club, the Speakeasy brings you an intimate 1920s atmosphere mixed with an exciting and diverse programme of shows, lectures and events.

Join a fun and family-friendly ceilidh with live and lively traditional Scottish music and dancing. No prior experience is necessary as all the dances will be taught there and then by our expert caller and no need to bring a partner. Everyone is welcome, so come as a group, come as a family or come by yourself.

Ceilidh at the Speakeasy

The 2024 sell-out returns with a brand-new interactive murder mystery event. 1927, prohibition is in full swing, but you can still get a drink if you know where to look. Join the party at illegal speakeasy The Snapper, run by notorious British duo the Fisher sisters. Meet their rag-tag collection of staff and performers while witnessing fights, rivalries and wrong-doings aplenty. When the inevitable happens, follow the clues and interrogate the suspects to work out whodunnit. A glamourous and immersive evening of suspense and sleuthing with 1920s dress encouraged.

Murder at the Speakeasy II

A stand-up comedy drawing on anecdotes and stories linked to my autobiography, showing that despite being visually-impaired and a wheelchair user, one can get round most barriers in life! I relate tales about my many experiences and funny events and challenges that could only happen to a person like me! I've climbed Snowdon, done wing walks and been skiing amongst other crazy things, none of which have passed without incident!

Living with Mitochondria Against All Odds

"The first time I heard Andrea Carlson, I was in love!" (Charlie Silvestri, UpCloseAndAcoustic.com). Dare to be transported to another time and place! Andrea leads her Love Police jazz band with sassy, sultry, silken vocals, witty lyrics and enchanting melodies to a 21st-century speakeasy world and the Golden Age of Jazz. Award-winning Memphis, Tennessee-born songwriter/singer/guitarist Andrea blends musical adventure, intrigue and the sensitive wonders of the human heart – through the Great American Songbook, French Chanson and fabulous originals. Fall in love with hot, hip, romantic, golden-age jazz. The music will leave you Ab-so-lute-ly Jazzed!

Ab-so-lute-ly Jazzed!

Baristas Amy and Callum are back from a sell-out show at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival but they’re still stuck navigating the coffee-ground trenches. Serving up coffee, songs and laughs to their customers (audience), they ask: is this really low-skilled labour? And what does Harry Styles and a smashed avocado have to do with it? 'Funny, light-hearted and relatable... a bespoke and inventive performance' (Glasgow University Magazine), this interactive comedy musical will give you food for thought to discuss over coffee afterwards.

Milk on the Side: a Barista Musical

Ignite your curiosity with this series of fascinating talks. From the bizarre history of tinned foods to 17th-century banking; sex in the Second World War to whisky, our eclectic line-up of experts will provide intrigue, insights and the occasional innuendo. See SimplySpiffing.co.uk/whats-on/ for the full programme. When booking tickets, please ensure that you have selected the correct date for the lecture that you wish to attend.

The Underground Lectures

Following a bumpy few years of job loss, breakups and pandemic related dramas, Briyah needs a fresh start. She drives across the USA in her purple car to wash dishes at an oceanside retreat centre with hot springs on site. It goes pear-shaped. She returns to NYC and admits herself to the psych ward before embarking on a worldwide healing journey, with the help of psychedelics. It's time to turn her inherited trauma into comedy, and she documents it all on the podcast 2 Paleys on a Pod, alongside her dad, a Budapest based Rabbi.

Psych Ward Pyjamas

Drs Katy Munro and David Kernick continue on their mission to bust some myths and improve understanding of migraine. Come and hear them chat about exciting new treatment options, children with migraine, hormones, unusual presentations and why it’s not just a headache. A chance to ask your questions too! Dr Katy Munro is the author of Managing Your Migraine and hosts Heads Up podcast. Dr David Kernick is author of the Oxford University Press Manual of Headache and a wide range of research papers on migraine.

What's New in Migraine

You become the choir! For two nights only, this crowd-participatory sing-along show turns a roomful of strangers into an epic, harmonised pop-up choir! Learn a pop/rock anthem in gorgeous harmonies, in only an hour. You won’t believe the sound you’ll make and we’ll film you to prove it! Can't sing? No worries! We'll expertly and (im)politely guide, cajole and if necessary, heave your voice out of you! With lyrics on a big screen and guitar accompaniment, you won’t need anything except your voice, your ears and maybe a few drinks!

Crazy Little Sing Called Pub

A Scottish folk tale murder mystery, based on the legend of the Bean Nighe, also known as the Washerwoman. A wee village on the river Clyde is rocked by a death on the night of Samhain (Halloween). A soldier, a doctor, a priest... and two musicians desperately try to uncover the truth. Is all as it seems or is there something supernatural afoot? Is the spirit of the Bean Nighe to blame? Enter a realm of Scottish fantasy and folklore, where a night of music, mystery and murder awaits.

Death on the Clyde

If you’ve ever received a weird message from someone you’ve dated, you’re not alone – this sort of thing has been going on for centuries. From emails and WhatsApps to handwritten notes, join us in exploring the bizarre, heartfelt and hilarious letters of lost love through comedy storytelling, history, dramatic readings, music and the occasional interactive opportunity to roast your ex.

Letters from Exes

An immersive musical experience like no other. Join Nancy, the criminal science intern, as she reopens three famous murder cases all solved by her idol, Detective Lionel Howard. You'll discover that the facts aren't always what they seem and get to vote to change the fates of three women. Clues are hidden all around you on stage and in the theatre space. Come enjoy an original new musical with a fully stocked bar at the venue!

Women Who Kill: A Detective Mystery

Want to be a film star? Come watch a live audition, or will you brave the stage and try it yourself? There might be a twist though... Exactly how much is captured during a short audition? During the show, the CANDIDATE is invited on stage for an audition. Will they follow the prompts or go their own way? Every show is different! Later, you'll be able to see how they got on. Disabled-led, accessible, interactive theatre. To sit the audition, you need a CANDIDATE ticket. agentredarts.com

Agent Red's AUDITION

From his humble beginnings in Alloway to world-wide fame, Burns is the most translated poet in the world with his works in approximately 60 languages. He was also a prolific songwriter and collector with over 300 credited to him. This show features a hugely experienced performer delivering his most popular works in a genuine unadorned style, with tasteful guitar accompaniment interspersed with humour and slides to match. You will hear such classic songs as A Man’s A Man, Scots Wha Hae, Ae Fond Kiss and his best-loved poems including Tam O' Shanter and To a Mouse.

Best of Burns

Experience the beauty and elegance of traditional Chinese dance in this vibrant group showcase. Performed by a talented ensemble, the show presents a rich tapestry of classical and ethnic dance styles, from graceful court performances to colourful folk traditions. With expressive movement, exquisite costumes and music rooted in ancient culture, each piece tells a story of heritage, harmony and artistry. Whether you’re a dance lover or curious about world cultures, this performance offers a rare opportunity to witness the spirit and grace of Chinese tradition brought to life on stage.

Chinese Dance CANCELLED

Apprentice storytellers from the Scottish Storytelling Centre invite you to gather close and listen well. Thin Places is a soulful performance of Scottish folktales, with a focus on our relationship to fairies and the lands they're born from. The show is intimate, accessible and quietly enchanting – designed to kindle wonder and celebrate the power of shared imagination. Whether you’re a lifelong folklore lover or curious about the magic that lies beneath the everyday, join us for an hour of story and connection. All are welcome.

Thin Places: A Fae Storytelling Gathering

For ten years, poet Brian Sonia-Wallace has been interviewing strangers to write them poems on a typewriter about their lives. In this one-hour, one-man show, he asks: what is your dream? and combines clowning with sacred reading practices to find out. It's a dialogue with the audience through poetry about dreams and desires: the ones you've found, shared, abandoned and rediscovered. Each show creates a new poem, the subject of that poem: you. 

The Speakeasy at The Royal Scots Club

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