CC Blooms Edinburgh

Hot gay bar/club

Mark from Edinburgh

About me I'm Mark. Apart from my university days, I have lived in Edinburgh all my life. I chair Creative Edinburgh, the organisation that helps creative professionals network and grow their businesses. It promotes the city beyond its boundaries. I'm an ad man having worked in advertising since the mid 1980s but for a decade and more have done my own thing. I love art, travel, ...
""CC Blooms" Edinburgh: the throbbing heart of the city's gay culture. You can enjoy a quiet pint all the way to a full blown hiNRG diva dancing downstairs."

Although I've been straight for 55 years (I'm 55) I socialise with many musical theatre lovers, actors and artisans. It's inevitable therefore that I've had the opportunity to enjoy the gay culture of Edinburgh and CC's (as everyone calls it) is at the throbbing heart of it.

Nearby GHQ and Chalkies also offer excellent after hours entertainment.

The thing about Edinburgh's gay scene, in my experience, is that it's entirely welcoming and non-judgemental - so long as you are too. So, CC's represents a great way to explore this side of Edinburgh's culture.

It's situated next to The Playhouse Theatre at the southern tip of the gay quarter which centres largely on Broughton Street (200 yards west) and is widely considered the Grand Old Dame of the Edinburgh gay club scene (founded 1994 and named after Bette Midler's character in Beaches).

At CC's, at different times of the day you can enjoy a quiet (straight) pint at one end of the spectrum through to full blown, hiNRG camp diva dancing in the downstairs Rabbit Hole (small entry fee). All with a ridiculous grin on your face.

There's reasonably priced food too, although I confess I have not eaten here so I can't comment on the quality.

All in all, it's just a fun place to go. However, if you're a prudish, shrinking violet I'd probably avoid the Rabbit Hole late at night.

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars

Buy one, Give one!

Share your 💚 this December

*on all products

Edinburgh Spotter Mark

About me I'm Mark. Apart from my university days, I have lived in Edinburgh all my life. I chair Creative Edinburgh, the organisation that helps creative professionals network and grow their businesses. It promotes the city beyond its boundaries. I'm an ad man having worked in advertising since the mid 1980s but for a decade and more have done my own thing. I love art, travel, theatre, music, cinema, food, wine, beer, cooking, cycling, walking – sometimes all in the same day. Some would call me bohemian I suppose. My wife, Jeana, and I have an Air B'n'B room in...

About this spot

23-24 Greenside Place

£

free

1315569331

Dec 2, 2025

Our Edinburgh City Guide

Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Edinburgh guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Edinburgh

Pickles

Cosy wine bar

"Pickles" is a tiny wee wine bar in Edinburgh. The bar has a rustic Scottish feel to it, but the main reason I like it is their cheese and wine...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Fiona

Diack

Dec 9, 2025

Manna House Bakery

Incredible bakery/eatery

"Manna House Bakery" in South Queensferry in Edinburgh has great views over the Forth Rail Bridge. Come here for the super value-for-money homemade food!

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Mark

Gorman

Dec 6, 2025

Craiglockhart Hill

The overlooked hill

Craiglockhart Hill is one of Edinburgh's 7 hills. In contrast to Calton Hill, Castle Hill and Arthur's Seat, even many locals can't name this one!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Fiona

Diack

Dec 3, 2025

Corstorphine Hill

Not just the zoo

The zoo is one of Edinburgh's most popular tourist attractions. Next to it is "Corstorphine Hill" that's in my opinion much more interesting to explore!

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Fiona

Diack

Dec 2, 2025

Antony Gormley Sculptures

River statues

The "Antony Gormley Sculptures" are six human-like statues across Edinburgh. Four of them are actually in the river! I love introducing visitors to them...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

The Forgotten Railway Tunnel

Scotland Street

There's a forgotten railway tunnel on Scotland Street in Edinburgh. I like toake people down there to give them a lesser-told history lesson...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

Little Free Library

Birdhouse book stops

"Little Free Library" in Edinburgh is a project for neighbourhood book exchanges. It has really caught on here -- look for the birdhouse mini libraries!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

The ‘Heave Away’ Hoose

"I'm not dead yet"

"The ‘Heave Away’ Hoose" tells the story of a young boy who was the sole survivor of the collapse of a tall house in Edinburgh. So many such stories...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

Grow Urban

Plant & coffee shop

"Grow Urban" in Edinburgh is an independent plant shop that also has its very own coffee shop! Entering feels like stepping inside a jungle...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
026-thrift-shop-1
Shopping

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

The Cactus House

Henderson Row

"The Cactus House" is one of my favourite little hidden gems (and photo stops). This impressive doorstep is adorned with flowers, cacti and so much more!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

Wild West Town

Hidden cowboy street

"Wild West Town" is a mini town in Edinburgh that's just like... well, a town from the American Far West. The ghost town-style feel only adds to it!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

Nor Loft

Rooftop champagne bar

"Nor Loft" in Edinburgh's Market Street Hotel's loft champagne bar has marvellous views and an unrivalled champagne selection. Lovely sunsets in summer!

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Sarah

Mackenzie

Dec 2, 2025

Heading to Edinburgh?

138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Edinburgh app Home
Edinburgh app Home
Edinburgh app Map
Edinburgh app Home

Heading to Edinburgh?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

138 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Edinburgh

Get to know our other Spotters from Edinburgh

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
53
Made with the 💚 of 498 Spotters.
Filters