FringeGuru - Udderbelly's Pasture (Udderbelly and Cow Barn)

Home

Find A Venue

Udderbelly's Pasture (Udderbelly and Cow Barn)

Udderbelly's Pasture is Fringe venue number 300 , part of the Underbelly venue chain. Read more about this venue chain.

Its address is Bristo Square, Edinburgh EH8 9AL, which is in the Bristo Square area of the city. See a map of this area.

The venue's website is www.underbelly.co.uk, and you can book tickets online through this website.

The box office telephone number is 08445 458 252. 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

There's some minor confusion this year about whether the two spaces which make up the Udderbelly Pasture count as one venue or two. The Underbelly's programme lists them separately, as the Udderbelly and Cow Barn; the Fringe programme lumps them together under the title of Udderbelly's Pasture.

The Udderbelly

The star attraction of Bristo Square is the outrageous but lovable Udderbelly, a tent in the shape of a giant cow. It's huge, it's purple and it's lying flat on its back; it's probably the most remarkable landmark on the Fringe, and it hosts a range of shows from the stable of the nearby Underbelly venue.

The inside is disappointingly not purple, nor is it especially bovine; in fact, it's a pretty standard grandstand of temporary plastic seating arranged in a U-shape around three sides of the stage. When the cavernous space works up an atmosphere, it's truly immense. When it doesn't, it's still a comfortable venue - and the cachet of seeing a show inside the upside-down cow is undeniable. You'll need to queue outside, so if it's raining, try not to stand under the cow's head: it drips.

The Cow Barn

Sharing a venue number with the Udderbelly is the bemusingly-branded Cow Barn. Known for years simply as the Reid Concert Hall, a less barn-like structure could hardly be imagined: it's got chandeliers, for goodness' sake, and some of the most comfortable seating on the Fringe. Peeking up between the lighting gantries, you can see the beautiful blue walls and elegant arched plasterwork of the roof; behind the stage is a tantalising glimpse of a pipe organ.

This smallish venue works best as an intimate concert hall, with musical performances of all kinds running during the afternoon. In the evening, comedy takes over, culminating in the fantastically inappropriate Free Beer Show after midnight. The museum of musical instruments, housed in the same building as the Cow Barn, is open after most daytime performances and music lovers should set aside half an hour for a decent browse.

Eating and drinking at this venue

The Udderbelly is surrounded by its pasture, a large outdoor bar. Few can resist having a pint in the shadow of the cow and the whole area gets pretty crowded on a fine evening. There's also a small stand selling burgers and hot dogs - but there are better options for food outside the Gilded Balloon, or in the Pleasance Dome nearby.

If it's raining, the Gilded Balloon and Pleasance Dome have indoor bars and are right next door on Bristo Square.

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 (08445 458 252) or website (www.underbelly.co.uk). You cannot collect tickets you booked through the Fringe box office at the venue.

Other venues in this venue chain: You have the same options as you do at the venue itself.

Venues in allied chains: You can buy tickets in person. Under some circumstances you can also buy tickets from allied venues over the phone, but FringeGuru recommends it is simpler to make telephone bookings directly with the venue itself.

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.

<< Underbelly		Universal Arts Theatre >>

[ Back ]