Real life long-form content

By Chiara Fabian

You don’t feel like going to your Sports Clubs third pub social this month but still want to spend some time outside and with people? I highly recommend looking for your closest Open Mic night – maybe even form of a poetry slam.  

As grey and misty as Edinburgh may often seem – its art scene is brighter and more diverse than you would at first imagine. The city has plenty of student collectives, like ‘Outcrop Poetry’ or ‘the Edinburgh Collective’ that showcase the talents of everyone around us. Open Mics and Spoken Word nights are usually for free and for everyone. As intimidating as it might seem rocking up to a bookshop or record store after hours when you can’t play guitar and know no one, it isn’t; and you will probably be surprised how many chatty people you will find there. A poetry slam or any acoustic music session is the perfect opportunity to turn your phone off for a while and get new album, book and movie recommendations to counteract any recent brain rot.

Pubs like the Royal Oak and Captain’s Bar run Folk Music jam sessions every night; Bennets Bar has jazz jam sessions every Wednesday night, Whistlebinkies runs open Mic’s every Monday and the Dog House in Newington has Jam Sessions every Tuesday. If you don’t feel like Pubs and Pints are your vibe, check out places like Argonaut Books or Spoons Record for Poetry Slams, Jams and Spoken Word events. All of the places mentioned here are just a fraction of what Edinburgh has to offer – on your next walk across town just keep your eyes peeled any announcements and invitations written outside of your local bars, bookshops, cafes and record stores.

The best thing about this? All these events are free entry and safe spaces which aren’t tied to your student union. You will make friends not just across all universities but also all people across the city and hear about what drives and inspires them.