Wherever you are in the world, March is always a tricky month to navigate. Christmas is a distant memory, the weather in Europe ranks as miserable to treacherous, and the year is in limbo between winter and sunny summer. But fear not, if you decide to visit Edinburgh, there is plenty to keep you occupied in the month of March. Here are four things not to miss out on.
Get To The Grosvenor
One of the lesser-known attractions in Edinburgh is the Grosvenor Casino. The art deco building that lies a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh Airport is a good stop for those looking for entertainment or a night out. Especially for those of the poker persuasion, there is quite a bit of action to look out for in Edinburgh over March and into Easter. The Grosvenor UK Poker Tour in particularly will be rolling into town at the beginning of April and for those interested in participating, March can be spent sharpening up those poker skills. The aforementioned Grosvenor Casino offers cash games and three-card poker too, while the Genting Casino, with its two locations at Fountain Park and York Place is an alternative location equipped with poker rooms.
There are also a smattering of pubs and bars that offer poker nights such as Black Cat, Ball Room Sports Bar and Green Mantle. However, if you cannot make it out to the practice tables, there is also reliable, unbiased information on the top options that can be found online. With Edinburgh hosting the fourth leg of the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour between 4th April – 14th April, there could be increased clamour for poker action in the Scottish capital. Of course, there are other options if you are not looking to spend hours on the poker table. The Grosvenor Casino itself also houses American Roulette and blackjack tables along with a variety of slot machines.
Fun at the Football
While the two big hitters might be based in Glasgow, there are still two clubs in the capital that provide footballing entertainment. Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian are both enjoying good seasons in the Scottish Premier League and are on course to make the top half of the table once the first phase ends and the table gets divided in two. Both Hearts and Hibernian have home matches in March. After being edged out by Rangers in the Scottish Cup, Hibs welcome Livingston on 16th March, while Hearts host Kilmarnock on 30th. The two sides could not be separated in a recent 1-1 draw, but both will be hoping to finish as high up the table as possible with European football a very realistic prize.
Celebrate Celtic Culture
If football does not take your fancy, you can get stuck into some real Scottish tradition. Ceilidh dancing is an aspect of Scottish culture that the locals are particularly proud of and is a must try for any visitors to the city. There is music, dancing, theatrical productions, and lots of compelling storytelling to keep you entertained. The Ceilidh Culture Festival is an event to light up March and it is difficult to miss the action with the festival taking over vast parts of Edinburgh. The Edinburgh Ceilidh Club hosts a number of events throughout March with different bands appearing to lead the merry dance.
Immerse Yourself In The Arts
Although the world-famous Fringe festival is not until August this year, you can get warmed up for it well in advance at the many comedy clubs Edinburgh has to offer. You can go and laugh out loud at established and emerging comedic talent. The Stand Comedy and Monkey Barrel Comedy clubs have a plethora of events organised throughout March, with other events such as open mic nights and pub quizzes also featuring on their calendars.
It might be one of the worst months of the year, but if you find yourself in Edinburgh this month, it will fly by. There is wide variety to be had and enjoyed in the Scottish capital to speed up the transition to spring.
