CC Blooms Edinburgh

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.