Welcome to The Bongo Club, or simply ‘Bongo’* as it’s affectionately known by regulars and locals alike. We’ve been here since 1996, which makes us the longest-running underground nightclub and live venue in Edinburgh and yes now celebrating 30 years as a nightclub and live venue. Much more info here.
*never “Bongos”, although if you’re matriculated at Edinburgh Uni, you will undoubtedly hear other students erroneously referring to it as such… The club’s name is actually derived from an African antelope (visible in our logo) rather than a drum or pair of drums.
Look out for these flyers, which will be circulating around town over the next few weeks. Each one has four discount vouchers and a couple of free cloak room tickets on the back. The discount vouchers can be redeemed on the door at participating nights only. See details of participating nights listed on this website.
NB PLEASE NOTE: This is subject to change, as other Bongo promoters jump on board.
WIN A YEAR ON THE GUEST-LIST + BONGO SWAG
This season, we’re offering you the chance to win a whole year on the guest-list – yup, you’ll be able to come to ALL of our events for the whole of your first year without paying any money – plus a stack of Bongo merch: a hoody OR sweatshirt (your choice which), a cap, a tote bag, even a mug! In other words, we will give you just about everything you should need to get through your first year at uni, for free….
All you have to do is sign up for our mailing list. The winner’s name will be drawn out of a hat at lunchtime on Friday 25th September.
NB On average, we only send out about one newsletter a month, so it won’t be a massive PITA and, if you lose interest, you can easily unsubscribe later.
NB2 This offer is open to 2026 Freshers ONLY, so if you end up winning and we then find out you’re not a Fresher, you will most definitely be a Loser.
FRESHERS WEEK EVENTS
We kick off early this year, welcoming all Napier Uni, Heriot Watt and Edinburgh College alumni plus any Edinburgh Uni/ECA students who’ve arrived early to get acclimatised before the madness begins…
THURS 10TH SEPT: CIRCADIAN AT CANDYFLIP x CONTRABASS
“CandyFlip and dnb stalwarts Contrabass are coming together to bring you an absolute powerhouse in the drum and bass scene – Circadian,” say the Candyflip crew, also involved with Tektite, repping all things hardcore and high tempo at Bongo since Spring ’22.
“With collaborations with Sota, Friction, Mozey, Koven & Dirtyphonics, remixes for the legendary Basement Jaxx and Camo & Krooked, and releases on Armada, UKF, Monstercat, Elevate Records, and Sleepless Music all under the belt, the seismic nature of the project’s early years pays testament to his versatility as a producer and his ability to write D&B weapons that resonate with the scene’s current and ever-popular sound. Local DJs Brynk, FOLIE, Huxy, Janverse, Nabee and YVI will provide a wide range of sub genre Drum and Bass goodness on support duties.” 
NB Bongo Dollars welcome at CandyFlip.
FRIDAY 10TH SEPT: ANIKONIK AT DISORDER
“This freshers week we’re hitting the ground running at the Bongo Club with the undisputed Scottish queen of drum and bass, Anikonik!” buzz the Disorder crew, who’ve been championing dnb and jungle at Bongo since Nov ’22, hosting the legendary likes of Randall (RIP), Grooverider, Doc Scott and Bladerunner, plus Sweetpea, Nectax and Sully.
“Expect nothing less than the highest quality of underground cuts, this one is not to be missed! Support from Dundee’s hardest man Stitch, with his productions being played by the legend Dillinja you’re in for a treat Also, hot off her heels from her return from Sweden Fifi is back to cause a ruckus up in Bongo.”
NB Bongo Dollars welcome at Disorder.
SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER: DAVID JACKSON AT HOBBES MUSIC x NOETIC RHYTHM
“After three years of sweat-soaked, memorable nights at the Bongo club in collaboration with Club_Nacht, Hobbes Music returns this autumn with a new chapter: Noetic Rhythm,” say the Hobbes Music / Noetic Rhythm crew, who have been welcoming the great and the good from the international house & disco scene (names like Crazy P, Bradley Zero, Auntie Flo and Etienne de Crecy, to name just a few) to Bongo since Feb ’23. More info.
“Taking its name from the label’s new sub-label, Noetic Rhythm is founded on a simple idea: bringing people together and elevating consciousness through a shared dance-floor experience built on collective energy, connection and the unifying power of rhythm. It’s an idea that feels particularly at home in the Bongo: a club with almost three decades of underground history, one of the best sound systems in Scotland and a long-standing home for Edinburgh’s independently minded, alternative and leftfield music community, where the crowd are the real stars of the show.
This first session features the much-anticipated return of David Jackson. The Irish-German DJ and producer last joined us in September 2024, delivering an absolute blinder of a set that made a deep impression on everyone who experienced it. Two years on, his return feels like unfinished business. Jackson’s reputation extends well beyond the booth. His production CV includes releases on Frank Music, Positiva Records, Sulta Selects, Mall Grab’s Steel City Dance Discs, Studio Barnhus and Running Back, with his distinctive blend of Italo disco, trance euphoria, synth-heavy house and playful electronic oddities earning support from Annie Mac, Pete Tong, Gerd Janson, Denis Sulta, Mall Grab, DJ Seinfeld and Prospa, among others. His work with Georgia, Get Me Higher, was also officially playlisted by BBC Radio 1.”
NB Bongo Dollars welcome at Hobbes Music x Noetic Rhythm.
MONDAY 14TH SEPT: SATSUMA SOUNDS
Details TBA
TUESDAY 15TH SEPT: REDEMPTION STUDIOS – FRESHERS TAKEOVER
“REDEMPTION returns to Edinburgh with a Freshers special at The Bongo Club – bringing our signature blend of House, Tech House, and underground sounds to one of the city’s most iconic clubs,” they say.
“Expect a no-frills, high-energy night curated by some of the finest local selectors. Heavy tunes. Intimate energy. Tickets live now – move quick it will *SELL OUT*.”
WED 16TH SEPT: EPiKA x ECFS LAUNCH PARTY
“EPiKA joins forces with Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show for an unforgettable night at The Bongo Club on September 16th,” say the EPiKA crew, who have been repping femme-led underground techno (yep, just the good stuff!) at Bongo since summer ’25. More info
“ECFS is Edinburgh’s largest student-led fashion show and one of Scotland’s biggest student fundraisers. The independent non-profit brings young creatives together through fashion, with all profits donated to a chosen charity each year. For this special occasion, EPiKA residents take over the decks bringing sounds of hypnotic, driving techno from start to finish. A collaboration bringing together fashion, music and Edinburgh’s creative community, all under one roof. If you wish to donate on top of purchasing a ticket, please look for a donation link on our socials.”
THURS 17TH SEPT: OLDBOY AT ORIGINS x TOTEM
“A collab foretold by prophets and mystics alike; a bass so profound as to make your hair spike,” say the Totem crew. “A unified energy amongst local and student both; To the religion of underground beats we do swear oath. Bongo’s mystical aura many freshers have feared; once again we gather, as our new beginning nears.”
NB Bongo Dollars welcome at Totem.
FRI 18TH SEPT: CORRAN AT TEKTITE (LAUNCH PARTY)
“Rodent and Folie of Alien Disko (also mentioned above) are curating a new series of events to bring fast and heavy music to the Bongo dancefloor,” say the crew behind the new Tektite night. More info.
“Expect guest spots from close to home, Europe and beyond — showcasing the sounds that are deeply rooted in rave culture old and new. Tektite launches the new season at Bongo on Friday 18th September with hot-to-watch guests Corran and Harry Jackson, plus residents on support. Diving into the sounds of Drum & Bass, Jungle, Hardcore and Jungletek – this is set to be full-throttle from start to finish!”
NB Bongo Dollars welcome at Tektite.
SATURDAY 19TH SEPT (7PM): ENJOY THE SILENCE & SYNTHADELICA (LIVE)
“Enjoy The Silence UK – A Tribute to Depeche Mode have established themselves as one of the UK’s premier tributes,” says promoter Rubber Stamp.
“They bring to life the thrilling live experience of classic 80s/90s era and present day Depeche Mode using authentic sounds and a set which includes all of their iconic hits including “Just Can’t Get Enough”, “Personal Jesus”, “Behind The Wheel”, “People Are People” and many more. Support band Synthedelica (Formerly Synth Britannia) are a tribute to the best of British Synth-Pop, focussing on music from artists that include The Human League, Joy Division, Soft Cell, Heaven 17, OMD, Thompson Twins and New Order.”
SATURDAY 19TH SEPT (11PM): MESSENGER SOUND SYSTEM – BONGO RETURN DANCE
“Roots reggae rocking – foundation tune, fresh dubs, vibes alive, rockers, steppers, rub-a-dub,” say the Messenger Messenger Sound System crew. “Scotland’s original [and biggest] roots and culture rasta reggae sound system, Messenger has been spreading the word on their own custom built bass-heavy rig since 1987, with a flame burning brighter than ever today.”
Powered by the Messenger Sound System.
Categories: Blog, News, Regular Club News
Tags: Alien Disko, Anikonik, Bongo Dollars, Candyflip, Circadian, Club_Nacht, David Jackson, Depeche Mode, disco, Disorder, dnb, drum n bass, dub, ECFS, Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show, Eighties, electro, Epika, Folie, Freshers, Freshers Week, hardcore, Hobbes Music, house, jungle, Messenger, Messenger Sound System, Noetic Rhythm, Oldboy, Origins, Redepmtion, reggae, Rodent, Satsuma Sounds, Synth Pop, tekno, Tektite, Totem, UKG
