25 October 2008 195 views No Comment Print This Post  Email This Post

A hangout for all kinds of heavier music enthusiasts, the Hive is Edinburgh’s latest student friendly club, which opened July 2007 (you may have previously known it as the Honeycomb). The Hive is, quite literally, the place to be for punk, metal, rock and indie fans. Rather than settling for one particular genre, the Hive plays a mash up of everything from Elliot Minor to Queen and back again. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, then don’t worry, as there is the occasional underground dance and electro night to keep the masses happy.

On live nights, the Hive holds a respectable 650 fans, and has given a stage to acts such as the Misfits and Floods of Red. Drinks start from £1.50 (with 2 for 1 cocktails before midnight), and thats every night, 7 days a week. The Hive is also unique because, unlike other clubs of its calibar, it targets specific Uni’s around the capital with specific offers and nights to suit the students when and where they want (organising end of term parties and birthdays). Ticket prices, avoiding mainstream selling points for the most part, are kept low with a non exsistant booking fee for an affordable night out.

A text service allows you to gain Q-Jump, and gain guestlist entry, by checking the website and keeping up to date with the latest nights and developments. The Hive also boasts a Facebook, MySpace and Bebo site as well as an official website with uploaded pictures from happy revellers. Punters are selected at random and given guestpasses or special promotions, and joining the sites friends list helps you gain friendship with the regulars, with freshers being able to meet and make new friends quickly.

There are two main rooms, the main dance area, and a more intimate room 2, which features a more specialist selection of the genres being played that night. Good service at the bar, especially in R2, means that you are never kept waiting long for service and with an imaculate toliets and dancefloor you’re in good hands to enjoy your night. Security staff and cloakrooms mean you don’t need to feel safe and with the location close to North Bridge its just a short walk to a night bus or taxi for the safe return home.

Tuesday: Antics
Easily the best night of the Hive every week, £1 for all drinks, and free entry every week. Alternative, Metal, Rock and Punk with a seperate room for those seeking a more intimate and obscure musical taste.

Thursday: Dance Or Die
Something a little different for this club with 90s dance and euphoria with DJs Robbie and Andy until 3am. Free Entry and doors open at 10pm with selected drinks promotions varying depending on the week.

Friday is usually the Hive’s night for live concerts, with doors opening at 7, and the first band on by half. The doors usually stay open until 3am and drinks start from £1 all night. DIY Indie, Metal, Punk and Rock usually follow after the gigs and entry is free before 11.30pm but £4 after (this night is also sometimes called Misfits)

Saturday: Bubblegum
Electro pop, dance and house with a variety of madness to keep you satisfied. £1.50 on all drinks, all night, with cocktail pitchers starting from £6 and an entry fee of £3 (free before 11.30pm)

A great concert venue, dancefloor, bar and student friendly club make the Hive one of the most exciting (and affordable) places to be seen in Edinburgh this term.

The Hive
15-17 Niddry Street,
Edinburgh EH1 1LG
0131 556 0444