The festival didn’t just stick to Leith Walk; it spread across the whole area and even reached nearby coastal spots. There was a mix of classic pubs and modern craft beer places, showing how much the event has grown. Crowds filled venues to see great acts, like Hot Tin Roof at the Malt and Hops, and the Pocket Collective Trio at Moonwake Beer Co., a brewery that shows off the area’s cool industrial vibe.

Hyper-Local Trails and Discovery

What really makes the festival special is how it gets people out exploring all the different neighbourhoods in the north of Edinburgh. For lots of folks, it’s a chance to discover pubs they might usually skip. This year, places like Mother Superior, Malt and Hops, Bowlers Rest, the False Widow, and the Fort Bar were all part of the fun.

The festival even reached beyond Leith. The Powder Room, The Bonnington, and the historic Old Chain Pier joined in, too. That last one, right on the edge of Trinity and Newhaven, sits above the Firth of Forth. Watching live music there with the water in the background was a real highlight—definitely worth checking out on your festival weekend.

Kentucky Spirits and Standout Sets

While indie talent dominated the stages, with notable mentions for individual performers like One Man Dancing, who played at The Fort, the festival also introduced unexpected international flavours. This year’s event secured strong civic and corporate backing, with sponsorship from the City of Edinburgh Council, Forth Ports Limited, and prominent local independent brewers Campervan Brewery (affiliated with Lost in Leith) and Newbarns Brewery, located just off Jane Street.

However, a surprise discovery of the weekend was an international partnership with Bluegrass Distillers, travelling all the way from Kentucky, USA. The American distillery hosted free sampling sessions across the weekend, popping up at the Old Chain Pier and Three Marys on Friday, the Shore Deli and Diggers on Saturday, and Bowlers Rest and The Fort on Sunday. Far from a novelty, their straight rye whiskey proved to be a proper treat for discerning Scottish palates, offering a distinct, high-quality alternative to traditional peated drams (available online – although this reporter hears that there is a chance of a local bottle shop stocking the brand).

Overall

The Leith Jazz and Blues Festival remains a brilliant celebration of live music and community hospitality, earning a strong four-star rating. By pairing fantastic, accessible live music with a diverse trail of independent pubs and breweries, it creates an unmatched atmosphere across North Edinburgh. It stands as a vital fixture of the local cultural calendar, and anticipation is already high for its return in 2027.

Written by award-winning Scottish playwright Joe McCann and directed by Martin McCormick, this compelling one-man show resurrects the largely forgotten story of Andrew Watson. On 12 March 1881, Watson captained the Scottish national side to a resounding 6–1 victory over England on English soil. He was also the world’s first Black international footballer. What unfolds across the brisk, hour-long performance is a truncated but entirely uncompromising biography that holds the audience in a tight, emotional grip from the first line to the final whistle.

A High-Stakes Heritage on a Minimalist Stage

At the heart of The Corinthian is the extraordinary duality of Watson’s upbringing. Born into Caribbean privilege, he was the son of a wealthy plantation manager from Orkney and a local British Guianese woman. The narrative charts his transition from the sugar plantations of South America to the grey, chilly streets of Greenock. Despite his family’s immense wealth, Watson quickly learned that the colour of his skin made him an outsider in 19th-century Scotland. The script refuses to soften the blows of this reality, delivering a raw and unflinching look at the systemic racism Watson encountered on the streets and on the pitch.

This heavy, history-rich narrative is brought to life on a remarkably sparse set. The stage dressing relies on simple but effective iconography: a pair of goalposts, floodlights, a football, a hat, and a few sweaters. Hanging prominently in the background is a solitary blue jersey. From the moment the audience sits down, this looming piece of fabric is instantly clocked as the iconic Scottish football top, a visual promise of the sporting glory and personal tribulation to come.

A Masterclass Solo Debut

The immense challenge of carrying this entire historical epic alone on stage falls to Dayton Mungai. Making his professional debut and a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Mungai delivers a superstar performance that marks him out as an incredible talent. He captures Watson’s journey with a beautiful evolution of physical presence, shifting effortlessly from the wide-eyed innocence of a young boy discovering the game to the rigid, fierce determination of a man qualifying for Queen’s Park Football Club and ultimately captaining his country.

Mungai’s accent work is nothing short of superb. He transitions seamlessly between a rugged Orkney dialect, rich Caribbean tones, standard West-Central Scottish, and impeccable English, never losing the clarity of his delivery. His charisma is on-the-ball, and the audience reacts on demand. The production moves at a breathless pace, forcing Mungai to navigate extreme emotional whiplash. He steers the audience through the soaring highs of legendary sporting triumphs, only to drop them instantly into the devastating lows of family tragedy and the vile racism that shadowed Watson’s every success.

Overall

The Corinthian is an essential, gripping piece of contemporary Scottish theatre that uncovers a crucial historical figure who should never have been erased from the sporting consciousness. Dayton Mungai’s breathtaking solo performance commands complete attention for the entirety of its hour-long running time, earning every bit of the enthusiastic standing ovation it received at the Assembly Roxy. It is a powerful, beautifully executed tribute that cements Andrew Watson’s legacy not just as a footballing pioneer, but as the ultimate Scottish underdog.

I requested a press ticket to Hector Kreeping’s Book of Despair from “the slightly cracked mind of Tom Black” because creepy scary horror silliness is definitely my vibe.

Not quite sure of what to expect, I bravely (or perhaps brazenly) sat myself in the front row on the right, and perhaps giving off a creepy vibe myself, I had the entire row all to myself.

Suffice to say, it wasn’t exactly a packed room, but I’d still consider it a decent turnout for an hour of spoken word (let’s just say I’ve seen – and have been in charge of organising – worse).

Vibe

The vibe wasn’t quite there when myself and another gentleman first arrived; in fact, we were told to wait outside the room another few minutes until the vibe was ready. When the vibe was indeed determined to be ready, and the ambience achieved, we entered again, to… not much of a difference, really.

After another few minutes, the lights went out (this would have been more effective with the help of some blinds or curtains), and it was time for Hector Kreeping himself to emerge!

I’d say Hector was actually the determining factor of The Vibe – or maybe he was the whole Vibe just by himself – with his top hat, Victorian-style clothing, and large leatherbound book attached to a rattly chain – which was, in turn, attached to him. We were back on track for spooky tales.

Performance

Hector Kreeping took his seat and began to tell us some morbid tales. They were mostly very spooky-entertaining, rather than spooky-scary, and that was quite all right. Another, very important thing about the stories was that they were original, and all seemingly scribbed down by hand in Hector’s massive book (I was close enough to see the pages).

I particularly enjoyed the HR nightmare story, as there was a bit of anatomica thrown in, and I’m really into that for my current art project. There was an element of drama when Hector stamped down hard on his chain, which… had a surprising effect on me. Turns out I like seeing a man doing a bit of loud chain stomping and shouting – who knew?

Other fun tales included the tale of the demonic chicken, and Poppy, the little rabbit who didn’t heed any damn warnings. Coincidentally, I was still thinking about that rabbit later when crunching on some raddishes in a potato salad at the Gilded Saloon, but that’s by the by.

Another fun section of the show was the agony aunt section, and I particularly laughed at the way the stuffed crow plushie was thrown across the room to ‘deliver’ Hector’s letters.

Sadly, I had to leave Hector’s show before he was quite finished telling his final tale – I left at 7:30pm on the dot, but sadly the show, billed at an hour, was overrunning by a minute or two (potentially because it took a little minute to get the candle lit for it).

Overall

I’m glad I spent an hour (unfortunately no longer than that, as I had prior commitments) at Hector Kreeping’s Book of Despair, and do hope Tom Black wasn’t too offended at me leaving on time.

The audience were relaxed, ready to listen and laugh, and the stories were well received, so I’d say this was a successful show and one that no doubt will continue. If there’s anywhere ready to receive more Hector Kreeping, it’s certainly his local city of the ‘Burgh – and I’ll happily support him (not with money, mind – I’m a bit of a broke student right now).

I’d be happy to recommend future Hector Kreeping shows to any of my friends who like that sort of thing (which, I believe, is most of them).

A sell-out theatre production full of heart, that once again does justic to author Terry Pratchett‘s original work.

The dull (but necessary) intro

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Terry Pratchett‘s Night Watch, but a fabulous time was had last year by Girdy at Feet of Clay, so I decided to sign myself up for this year’s offering. In fact, Strawmoddie Theatre have made quite a name for themselves with their sell-out shows of Guards! Guards! (2023), Men at Arms (2024) and Feet of Clay (2025).

Now, I’m not only writing this as the ‘Birdy’ to Andrew Girdwood’s Edinburgh Reviews ‘Girdy’, but also as Geek Native Mother, Bronwen Winter Phoenix, and… I have a confession to make. An embarassing one!

I’ve never read Night Watch. In fact, I’ve only ever read half a Terry Pratchett novel (half because we don’t talk about the co-author) and that was Good Omens (which I loved, by the way). People have been telling me to read Terry Pratchett for years, but I guess I just couldn’t find where to start, and never really started anywhere.

So, I suddenly find myself amongst so many Pratchett fans and lovers of his books, and I feel a little… like I have a dark secret and do I really deserve to be here? Girdy assured me via text that no back context is required, so onwards I went, up the stairs, in the large queue, and perched myself in a strategic yet effective seat for seeing the show. And, I’m so glad I did!

The vibe

The vibe begins when I’m seated, but people are still filtering in trying to find their seats, and on stage we see this character – who I later find out is called Lu-Tze, an unassuming history monk or ‘sweeper’ – sweeping the stage. Sometimes he has a cigarette in his mouth, and every so often he stops to look out at the audience. He’s wearing crocs. I am easily amused, and this feels like a nice way to start off the show.

Once the show starts proper-like, the tone is light, silly and entertaining throughout, despite the somewhat overarching dark plot of Night Watch. One of the highlights for me were the musical interludes by Constable Reg Shoe, and I particularly loved when he sang When I’m Cleaning Gravestones (adapted from ‘When I’m Cleaning Windows‘ made famous by George Formby)! Very funny.

Performance

Okay, so I need to first tell you what when I read this was described as an ‘amateur production’, added to the fact I have very little knowledge of the Terry Pratchett book itself, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m now here to tell you that this production feels anything but amateur – I was absolutely blown away by how well it was performed.

The show is filled with so many entertaining, fully-formed characters full of joy and perfectly acted and without a moment of stumbling or hesitation.

To get a little extra input, I actually joined a Terry Pratchett group and I’m fairly certain from other comments from the night that they are indeed true to the book and have done it absolute justice – despite putting on a Terry Pratchett play seeming like a daunting task, as there’s no space for any of his famous entertaining footnotes in a play. It didn’t matter.

I loved watching how these characters came to life, and almost right from the beginning you’re rooting for the time-travelling Commander Sam Vimes, who has a dangerous run-in with dangerously vicious criminal and absolute maniac Carcer, and then has to step into the shoes of Sergeant-at-Arms John Keel.

I’d have had no idea this was an amateur production, and can now see why Strawmoddie Theatre have gotten such a solid name for themselves!

The relationships Sam forms as he’s trying to work out just what’s going on and why he’s put where he is, whilst so much chaos and hilarity go on around him is just wonderful. I was fully hooked and engaged, with no idea what was going to happen next, but 100% here for it.

It’s a smooth, very professionally run show filled with heart and soul; you can tell a lot of love has gone into its production, right down to the small Terry Pratchett tribute of what looked like the man himself in his chair with the actual book. The pacing is great, and I laughed out loud so many times.

It’s also a long show (2hr 30 minutes, with an interval in the middle) but it didn’t feel like it.

Overall

This was a very slick, highly entertaining and fabulous production that kept the energy up throughout, with lots of silliness and musical interludes, even down to just introducing the interval. The set was also very well designed, with the barricades etc. and I even enjoyed all the action with the sword fighting.

I actually managed to chat to director Jonathan Whiteside after that show, who said: “It’s my favourite Terry Pratchett book and so pleased to be able to direct it! Myself and Young Vetinari (Blair Flucker) my Co-Director had a brilliant time.”

Well. It’s not often I attend a play and decide that, actually, I want to start reading Terry Pratchett! In fact, that’s never happened before, but it’s exactly what happened here. So, thanks, Strawmoodie Theatre – I hope to see more of your work in future, and in the meantime I have some books to enjoy!

Unfortunately all the tickets are sold out now (and can see why), but here’s the official page anyway.

Terry Pratchett’s Night Watch @ Cymera

Bronwen Winter Phoenix

Vibe

Pacing

Performance

Comedy

Spirit of Terry Pratchett

Summary

A sell-out theatre production full of heart, that once again does justic to author Terry Pratchett‘s original work. Keeps up the energy up throughout, with lots of silliness and musical interludes.

5

MORE INFO

I was really happy to be back at Brewhemia – second time with Girdy (we’d previously had a brunch), and a place I’ve had lots of previous memorable times with friends and loved ones.

I’m glad to report, it’s still a place I’d recommend to friends.

The vibe

I got to Brewhemia early, and Girdy was a few minutes late, so that allowed me to sit, take in my surroundings, and casually peruse the menu. I also ordered a drink whilst I waited, and the staff were very friendly and attentive to me.

Brewhemia feels like it has a vibe of its own, and on this Friday night, seated in the taproom, the vibe was extremely decent due to the live music on offer. My favourite part was when they played Zombie (made famous by The Cranberries).

It feels chill, but well presented – at night espeically as it’s so vibrant – and the layout feels a bit communal, too. I’ve always liked it, and I’ll never forget my first Brewhemia experience with the famous steak on a stone for a special family birthday.

On this night, we shot a video for posterity, and you can check out more there with regards to the atmosphere – as well as how the food looked – to the right!

The food

Now, we’re onto the main event! For myself, I ordered a Tuscan bean stew, but added the additional seared salmon to the mix – because why not? It also came with a slice of sourdough, and was exceptionally tasty. The salmon skin was crispy and well seasoned – important if you love salmon skin as much as I do!

Girdy ordered something called a meatball spatzle. Let’s see what he had to say about it:

I’ve now enjoyed a few different courses from Brewhamamamaaaa over years and while the Meatball Spatzle might be the most humble it’s absolutely a candidate for the most delicious. I had a side of fried pickles as well, which I think was necessary, because any pasta dish, even those plumped with meatballs, tend to vanish too quickly into my gaping maw. I’d recommend both!

And finally, we finished off the meal with a decadent baked Alaska each! I can’t lie, this was the main pull of coming back to Brewhemia on this specific evening, because I’d heard whispers of it on the menu, and I absolutely love a baked Alaska! It was absolutely delicious, and a real showstopper to boot!

Brewhemia as a place to eat in the city centre

Due to its very central location right next to the City Art Centre, and almost directly across the street from Edinburgh Waverley Station right in the centre of town, Brewhemia is usually a-buzz with life!

The Fruitmarket Gallery, is nearby but if you’ve not yet done the Edinburgh Dungeons, then why not check it out?! Edinburgh Reviews recommend doing the Dungeons first if you can, so you’re light in the belly, if you plan on dining out for premium food at Brewhemia afterwards.

Brewhemia is also within shouting distance of the Royal Mile, Coburg Street, about a dozen Festival locations and the Christmas markets (when they’re on – which they’re not right now, as it’s June). 

Overall

Myself and Girdy had a fantoosh time at Brewhemia, but the winning moment of the night was definitely the baked Alaska! I don’t think either of us have ever had a bad night at Brewhemia, to be honest. We’re now eyeing up the £10 afternoon tea, though – so, we’ll almost definitely be back for more Brewhemia fun!

Brewhemia

Bronwen Winter Phoenix

Food

Drink

Atmosphere

Value for money

Summary

Birdy and Girdy went to dine out at Brewhemia on Market Street, and enjoyed a very decadent meal that included a showstopper of a dessert! A great experience all round. Yummy!

4.3

BOOK NOW

Bronwen here. Although we don’t usually cover too many street popups (pub popups are a bit different), we were invited by the lovely people at Mutti to try some free pasta. And well, I had nothing else to do on a sunny Wednesday, so, I did! (Also, I really love pasta, so how could I refuse?!)

In fact, since it was the final day (of just two) in Edinburgh, I recorded the whole thing for TikTok and Instagram so you can see for yourself.

Mutti has been touring the UK with its pasta sauce popups, and they definitely brought the energy, with a popup stall serving free samples of al dente pasta and sauce, bins giving out free sauce jars, and a spin the wheel where visitors could win prizes!

SPOILER: I won a free wooden spoon. I like spoons, so this is a win. There was an overall great energy, and people seemed very interested in the samples and especially the wheel.

Whilst there, I chatted to Liv Martin from Jellybean Creative Solutions (Mutti’s Marketing Agency) about what brought them here and what inspired the tour:

While many people already know Mutti through the Polpa, Passata and Pizza Sauces, we really want to shine a light on our Pasta Sauces and encourage more people to try them. The ingredients are exceptional – and of course 100% Italian – so we’re confident that once people taste them, they’ll be converted and pick them up in store. With the Polpa, Mutti has built a wonderful following, with customers becoming genuine advocates for the product, and we’d love to do the same for the Pasta Sauces.

I asked if the tour was going as well as it seemed to be. To which Liv responded:

It really is going brilliantly. The team are serving hot samples and giving away sample jars, giving the public the chance to taste the product and then recreate it at home. So far, the feedback has been wonderful.

Well, thanks Liv, and thanks Mutti! Wishing you a grand final stop over in Cardiff!

The Transparent Kitchen

This is strictly a takeaway operation. Customers stepping inside will find just enough room to stand in the tiny reception area, let alone sit down. However, the setup works beautifully and makes highly efficient use of the limited square footage. Unlike the windowless dark kitchens popping up around the capital, La Polleria prepares its food in full view of the customer. The space is brilliantly clean, cheerful, and filled with the rich aroma of roasting poultry. The staff are welcoming and chatty, managing to keep a friendly demeanour in what is bound to become a very hot working environment as the spits turn.

La Polleria serves up authentic Spanish rotisserie with an unapologetic focus on whole food. It is a refreshing change of pace for local fast food.

Spanish Roasts and WhatsApp Orders

The modern ritual of securing dinner here involves sending a WhatsApp message in advance. It is a streamlined process that guarantees your bird is ready and waiting. A half rotisserie chicken paired with chips and a genuinely wonderful Brava sauce comes to around fifteen pounds. It represents stellar value for money and a literal whole food alternative to highly processed supermarket options.

The chicken was expertly boxed and bagged, remaining perfectly warm for the walk home. While carving a half chicken requires a sharp knife and a sturdy fork, the tender, flavourful meat is entirely worth the effort. The chips were perfectly fine, though an extra minute in the fryer would have pushed them to crispy perfection. There are also dessert options tucked away in the fridge for those with a sweet tooth.

The Festival Season Challenge

The real test for this Spanish newcomer will be the approaching Edinburgh summer. During the festival season, La Polleria will sadly find that the city centre gets all the attention, even driving locals away from ordering their usual neighbourhood takeaways.

Yet, for busy residents, a reliable local spot is essential. With the holiday season arriving, having a high-quality, fast dinner option on the doorstep is an absolute lifesaver before a hectic weekend of travel.

Inverleith is a tranquil, leafy suburb famous for the expansive Royal Botanic Garden and stunning views of the Edinburgh skyline from Inverleith Park. If you are travelling to the city to explore the area, securing a local base is easy with accommodation platforms like Booking.com. For wider travel arrangements across the UK, perhaps catching a train down south or booking flights, Trip.com handles logistics seamlessly. When the Scottish weather keeps you indoors, or if you simply want restaurant-quality food brought straight to your door, you can rely on extensive delivery networks from Deliveroo UK and Just Eat.

Overall

La Polleria brings authentic Spanish rotisserie to Inverleith Gardens in a smart, transparent takeaway format. Despite not yet having a sign, it offers fantastic value, delicious food, and a much-needed revitalisation of a long-empty local unit.

The upcoming city-centre venue marks a significant milestone for Taster, a company that originally built its reputation across Europe by operating delivery-only dark kitchens. However, as noted in a City A.M. report, the firm has spent years actively shifting its strategy toward visible, high-efficiency physical storefronts, making this permanent brick-and-mortar Edinburgh location a true high-street restaurant rather than a dark kitchen format.

A Strong Partnership for Scottish Growth

Managed locally by SUR Group CEO Suhail Rehman and Business Development Director Tariq Din, the new destination places the viral food concept directly into one of Edinburgh’s most competitive hospitality corridors. The operational team plans to capitalise on the immense digital momentum generated by SpudBros founders Jacob and Harley Nelson, whose video content has accumulated over five million TikTok followers and hundreds of millions of likes.

The Lothian Road restaurant will introduce a modern take on the humble baked potato, utilising premium ingredients and bold flavour profiles to capture high-street diners. Commenting on the long-term potential of the concept, Suhail Rehman stated that the business stands out immediately due to its fundamentals, operational scalability, and clear consumer demand, making it an ideal fit for their expanding Scottish portfolio, which already includes the Black Sheep Coffee estate.

Lothian Road acts as a lively, bustling artery through the western edge of the City Centre, creating a distinct sensory environment where the low hum of constant traffic meets the chatter of theatre crowds outside the Usher Hall. The street is a famous hub for independent culture and casual dining, filled with the enticing aromas of local slice shops, traditional real ale pubs, and late-night takeaways.

For visitors tracking down the new venue, coordinating travel to the capital is exceptionally straightforward. You can check timetables and secure direct rail transport into either Haymarket or Edinburgh Waverley stations through the global booking platform provided by Trip.com. If you intend to make a full weekend of the summer launch, finding nearby accommodation in the West End is simple when filtering for central hotel options on Agoda. For local residents who prefer to experience these loaded jacket potatoes from the comfort of their own living rooms, the central location ensures the menu will be integrated directly into the local delivery network via Deliveroo UK.

For your Radar

SpudBros Express is opening its inaugural physical location in Scotland on Lothian Road, Edinburgh, in July 2026. The new quick-service storefront will combine premium baked potatoes with fast, high-visibility street dining, launching a broader nationwide expansion of the brand across Scotland.

Stepping into the stylish, high-ceilinged venue, the vibe strikes a balance between sleek elegance and welcoming accessibility. While the floor staff are smart in uniform and the atmosphere feels sophisticated, the space avoids the stuffy intimidation that often creeps into high-end establishments. Sitting down to the multi-tiered service, it becomes immediately clear that this is a highly competitive addition to Edinburgh’s afternoon tea landscape, offering a creative, filling alternative to the venue’s heavy-hitting main menu.

A Savoury Scottish Twist

The real triumph of this experience is how it subverts the typical sugar-heavy afternoon tea structure. The presentation arrives on a classic three-tiered tower, but the middle tier swaps out mundane pastries for exceptional, warm bites that celebrate regional flavours.

The highlights here are undoubtedly the rich haggis bonbons served with a smooth whisky mayonnaise, alongside beautifully crisp Cullen Skink croquettes bound by a light leek emulsion. Delicate blinis topped with fresh crab and sharp Isle of Mull cheddar elevate the selection far beyond standard fare.

Even the base tier of sandwiches brings impressive execution, moving away from soggy crusts to premium combinations like Coronation chicken on poppyseed bread and smoked salmon paired with an assertive horseradish crème fraîche. Eating a bite-sized square of sticky toffee slice with your fingers might feel wonderfully unconventional, but the mini carrot cake and raspberry-and-vanilla Battenberg ensure sweet tooths are fully satisfied.

Warm Scones and Loose Leaf Teas

While the three-tiered cage commands attention, the scones are served separately and steal the show entirely. The plain and golden raisin scones arrive noticeably warm, boasting a perfect, delicate bake.

The knife slides effortlessly through the centre without causing a single crumble. They are accompanied by generous helpings of thick clotted cream and rich fruit jams, making them a standout element of the entire sitting.

To wash it down, the beverage list features a well-curated selection of teas. While options range from robust Earl Grey and Darjeeling to delicate jasmine and chamomile, a crisp, refreshing peppermint tea is the perfect palate cleanser between rich, savoury meats and sugary confections. For those looking to celebrate, premium additions such as Perrier-Jouët Champagne and classic Bellinis are available for individual order.

Things to do in City Centre

Located right on St Andrew Square, Bread Street Kitchen & Bar sits at the absolute epicentre of Edinburgh’s transport and retail hubs. Visitors can hop directly onto the Edinburgh Trams or walk a two-minute stretch to Edinburgh Waverley Station, making it incredibly straightforward to arrive from out of town or catch a direct link to Edinburgh Airport.

For those looking to extend their stay, luxury accommodation options like the InterContinental Edinburgh The George or the nearby Apex Waterloo Place Hotel are just moments away. Shopping enthusiasts can easily wander into the upscale Multrees Walk or explore the extensive flagship stores inside the St James Quarter. Culture seekers are also perfectly placed, with the Scottish National Portrait Gallery a short stroll away on Queen Street, and the everyday indie retail charms of the New Town right on the doorstep.

Overall

Gordon’s Afternoon Tea delivers an excellent, sharing-style dining experience that is both safe and delightfully different. Priced at £39 per person and available Monday to Saturday between 12:30pm and 3:30pm, it represents superb value for money in a premium City Centre setting. It is an ideal layout for a lingering date or a relaxed catching-up session with close friends, provided you trust them enough not to steal your mini carrot cake.

Disclosure: My Afternoon Tea was provided free for review.

Organisers of gothic music festival DEADINBURGH have sent out a message for those planning to attend but haven’t bought their tickets yet, hinting the festival could be in danger of cancellation if more tickets aren’t purchased in time.

Despite The Deadinburgh Festival being just a few months’ away at the iconic La Belle Angele, only 35% of all tickets have sold.

It’s been speculated online that the lack of sales may be due to a crossover with the upcoming Garbage gig at Edinburgh Castle on 11th July, along with the ongoing cost of living crisis.

This is now an URGENT CALL for goths and music fans to grab their tickets, and avoid massive disappointment. Here’s what the organisers had to say via email and on their Facebook page:

Dear Deadinburgh Patrons,

We feel like we need to be transparent about all this because this year’s festival rests upon it.

We’re currently sitting at around 35% in tickets sold so far. With only a few months to go this is worrying.

We urge everyone who is intending on attending this year’s festival to purchase as soon as they’re able to.

We absolutely understand that times are tough and money is incredibly tight in the current climate, but events like ours only exist because of the music fans and we now really need your help.

Many thanks

The Deadinburgh Festival

After some doubt from naysayers, last year’s inaugural Deadinburgh Festival was a surefire hit – and I should know, because I was there.

I’ve also been really excited about this year’s line up:

Small gothic festivals like DEADINBURGH are a rarity and really have the fans’ experience at their heart, so definitely worth supporting.

No-one really wants DEADINBURGH to die, so if you’d been on the fence about coming along, let us appeal to your heartstrings on this one.

Visit the official DEADINBURGH website to get your tickets today.