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Underbelly's Baby Belly (Underbelly Caves)

Just the Tonic @ The Caves is Fringe venue number 88

Its address is Enter from The Rowantree Bar (under South Bridge), 253 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1LG, which is in the Grassmarket and Cowgate area of the city.  See a map of this area.

The venue's website is www.justthetonic.com - but you cannot book tickets online through this website.

The box office telephone number is 0131 208 0882.  The Fringe central box offices can also sell tickets for this venue from a limited allocation.  Scroll down to see all ticket purchasing options on a map.

FringeGuru's review of this venue

The genuinely jaw-dropping Baby Belly, also widely known as the Underbelly Caves, owes its very existence to Edinburgh's idiosyncratic three-dimensional geography. Accessed from the Cowgate, the Belly's three performance spaces are built into the monumental arches of the South Bridge; as you watch your show in the calm of the venue, the hurly-burly of the city's main north-south artery is literally feet above your head.

In Baby Belly 1, entirely enclosed by the bridge, any sense of claustrophobia is abated by the arches' spectacular height. Tall, narrow, yet spacious, this is a grand and atmospheric space. Try to get seats near the front - they go back a long way and, being all on one level, sightlines from the rear can be poor; if the venue's really packed, they'll open up some extra seating in the gallery upstairs.

Baby Belly 2 and Baby Belly 3 are considerably more cramped, and considerably less comfortable, as you'll be sharing backless benches with your fellow audience members. Still, you can't fault the atmosphere - especially at Belly 3, accessed by a stunning stroll through a hidden underground street.

Eating and drinking at this venue

The lovely bar above Baby Belly 1 comes as a real surprise, with the feel of a country pub that's somehow been transported to the Cowgate. With stone walls, comfy seats and a couple of rooms, it's a relaxed place to hang out between shows. It's also notable for its full, if short, food menu, served by a waiter at your table.

Where to get tickets for this venue

Here's where you can buy tickets for this venue.  See below the map for a key.

Understanding ticket purchasing options

You have different options at different locations shown on this map.

This venue:  You can buy tickets in person, or pick up tickets you've pre-booked through the venue's telephone line (0131 208 0882).  You cannot collect tickets you booked through the Fringe box office at the venue.

Fringe central box offices:  You can buy tickets in person at the Fringe box office, or using free self-service Internet terminals at the e-ticket tent.  At either location, you can also pick up tickets you've pre-booked from the Fringe box office (0131 226 0000) or website (www.edfringe.com).  Tickets booked through the Fringe box office or website cannot be collected from the venue - only from the central box offices shown.  WARNING: FringeGuru currently recommends you DO NOT BUY from the central box office - click here to find out why.
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