Hunting for venues with no hire fees in Edinburgh? You’ve come to the right place! Where to find your spot? Begin in The Old Town down below. The winding lanes around Cowgate and the Charles Stewart House have many pubs and bars that offer minimum spend options for whole venue or private function rooms. The nearby Scotsman Hotel here even offers some function rooms with minimum spend. Widening your search to The New Town you can find many more options along George and Frederick Sts, including some funky lounges and garden-themed bars. While minimum spend venues are a great way to score an essentially free venue, you do need to make sure you understand all the terms and conditions before you book. Check that food and drink are covered by the minimum spend and warn your guests ahead of the date. Most importantly, ensure that there are enough guests planning to attend to make reaching the minimum spend an easily achievable task. Find your spot today!
In Edinburgh, prices of minimum spend venues average £600 minimum spend per event. Costs vary depending on guest capacity, popularity, location, and amenities like sound systems or bar services. Extra charges may apply for custom catering, decor, or event planning services. Packages with add-ons, such as DJs, photo booths, or other entertainment services, can also increase the overall cost. Check out the typical price ranges in Edinburgh, based on Tagvenue data from September 2025:
From £300 | to £1500 | minimum spend per event |
From £20 | to £40 | per person |
From £100 | to £500 | hire fee per event |
Based on the popularity and user ratings on Tagvenue (updated September 2025), the best options include:
The Other Room at Dragonfly Cocktail Bar
in Old Town - rated 4.9/5
Our user said: ‘We booked an external caterer, magician and DJ and the venue was perfect for 30 of us.’
Whisky Lounge at Hot Toddy
in Old Town - rated 4.9/5
Our user said: ‘The venue put on a very reasonably priced package of a welcoming Prosecco for all my guests.’
Wee Tap at Hanover Tap, Edinburgh
in New Town - rated 4.7/5
Our user said: ‘Great venue with great staff.’
When you book a minimum spend venue, you don’t need to pay a fee for use of the space. You simply agree with the venue that you and your guests will spend an agreed-upon amount on food and drink during the event. If you do not reach that total by the end of the event, you must pay off the remainder. This is a great option for anyone looking to throw a memorable event without breaking the bank.