Hootananny
Hootananny is Inverness's best-known live music pub, on Church Street in the city centre. There is live music every night of the week, much of it folk and ceilidh, so it is the place to hear traditional Scottish music on a Highland trip, with Scottish pub food to go with it.
Photos
Katy Vacas
The music
Bands play nightly, and the pub describes its sessions as live ceilidh music, which tends to draw a mix of locals and visitors. Arrive early at weekends if you want a seat near the musicians; later on it gets busy and lively.
Food
The menu is hearty Scottish pub fare: haggis, neeps and tatties, steak and ale pie and sticky toffee pudding, with vegan options too. Eating here before the music starts saves you finding a table elsewhere. The atmosphere is informal, and the pub is a good choice for visitors who want a lively Highland night out rather than a quiet drink. On Friday and Saturday it stays open late, well past midnight, so you can stay on after the band. If you want to dance, ceilidh nights tend to get people on their feet, even those who have never tried it before.
Staying and nearby
Hoots Hotel is upstairs if you'd rather not walk home after a late night. The Malt Room next door is a quieter whisky bar, and Perk Coffee + Doughnuts is close by for the morning after. The Kings Highway and Black Isle Bar & Rooms are both a minute's walk.
Highlights
- Live music every night
- Folk and ceilidh sessions
- Scottish pub food with vegan options
- Hoots Hotel upstairs
Good to know
- It is an evening venue on most days; check opening times before going.
- Rooms are available upstairs at Hoots Hotel.
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: hootanannyinverness.co.uk