TROUBLE

Cabaret Voltaire, 36-38 Blair Street, 220 6176; first Saturday of every second month, £7 (£6)

Residents Hobbes and Erik D’Viking DJ all over town, but the eclectic party night Trouble is still their biggest deal. Diversity is key; since the start of 2007, Rob Da Bank, Spektrum, Innervisions’ Ame and Dixon and a whole bunch of local bands have all played out here.
Who goes there: anyone who wants to be surprised by what they hear.

THE EGG

Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place, 229 1442; every Saturday, £5 (£4 before midnight)

An Edinburgh institution, and one which plays possibly the broadest range of indie-flavoured music in the city. From 60s’ pop to Motown, punk, C86 and brand new music, the Egg is the first and most important musical education many freshers will get upon arrival in the city.
Who goes there: The art student collective.

FAST

Bongo Club, Moray House, 37 Holyrood Road, 558 7604; monthly Fridays, see www.myspace.com/fastpunkclub for dates, £6 (£4 before midnight)

While the full title of the night - Fast Punk Club - may lead people to think this is a night for old folk, this is actually a cutting-edge club which celebrates the punk spirit wherever it may be found. So expect some techno, and live sets by new bands from Scotland and beyond.
Who goes there: A much younger crowd than you might expect, given the ‘punk’ bit.

XPLICIT

Bongo Club, Moray House, 37 Holyrood Road, 558 7604; last Friday of every month, £7 (£4 before midnight)

Currently the only real drum ‘n’ bass show in town since Manga stopped trading, Xplicit is still a beast of a night. Past and returning guests include Pendulum, DJ SS, Grooverider and LTJ Bukem.
Who goes there: People armed with makeshift fans, bottles of water and sheddable clothing.

WE ARE… ELECTRIC

Cabaret Voltaire, 36-38 Blair Street, 220 6176; every Wednesday, £2 (free before midnight)

It’s a Wednesday, but it feels like Saturday. It might be a cheap night out, but WAE regularly plays host to some huge guests -- Felix Da Housecat, MANDY, Booka Shade and Padded Cell have all joined resident Gary Mac at this house party.
Who goes there: Anyone who doesn’t have work or lectures on Thursday morning.

MODERN LOVERS

The GRV, 7 Guthrie Street, 220 2987; last Friday of every month, £5 (£3)

Soul, funk, reggae and rock ‘n’ roll all collide at Modern Lovers, one of the capital’s oldest (nearly a decade now) and most respected nights. Resident and promoter Craig Jamieson regularly welcomes guest DJs from bands, like Kaiser Chiefs, Portishead and Teenage Fanclub.
Who goes there: A friendly and knowledgeable crowd of all ages.

VOLUME

Luna, 14 Picardy Place, 478 7434; monthly Saturdays, see www.myspace.com/movolume for dates and prices.

Scotland’s harshest grime and dubstep night has played host to the likes of Benga, Skream and The Cool Kids, and before anyone even really knew who they were. A niche night, but a very good one.
Who goes there: Kids who are ahead of the game.

EVOL

Liquid Room, 9c Victoria Street, 225 2564; every Friday, £5

Like the Egg, another indie institution, except this one is bigger and more commercial. DJ Kieron takes pride in the fact that Evol’s the longest-running indie night in the city, and it’s also just about the most raucous.
Who goes there: Mainly students who want cheap drinks *3and*2 good tunes.

VEGAS!

Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street, 556 7060 and The Caves, Niddry Street South, 225 5440; see www.vegasscotland.co.uk for dates, £10 (£9 adv)

Scotland’s original swing club a regular dose of glamour to your night out, courtesy of Frankie Sumatra, Bugsy Seagull, Dino Martini and the Vegas Showgirls. To help you get in the mood, there are always discounts on the door for the ‘fabulously dressed’.
Who goes there: A more stylish class of punter.

OPTIMO

Cabaret Voltaire, 36-38 Blair Street, 220 6176; last Saturday of every month, £10

Optimo’s monthly date in Edinburgh has its own character. It’s a bit more ‘play the hits’ than Sundays in Glasgow, but it’s a blast from the past for Twitch - he used to co-run Edinburgh’s seminal techno night Pure.

Who goes there: Anyone who can’t afford a taxi back from Glasgow late on Sundays.