Edinburgh Nightlife?
 

My 4 good friends and I are going to be in Edinburgh for a Saturday and Sunday night in early January.

3 girls, 2 guys, all 24 years old and ready to have a great time. We'd like to go to some places we'd only find in Scotland, some good pubs, and any other bars you recommend for having a good time and letting loose once we've had our share of pubs.

We're staying right on Princes St.
Where are your favorite places?

There is a fortnightly listings mag called The List, which you want to get as you get off the plane.

Bars and pubs are pretty much the same thing here. What distinction are you making?

The best place to be for pubs and bars are those areas frequented by the students, on and around George IV bridge, the Grassmarket (try the Last Drop or Maggie Dickson's) and the Cowgate (try Bannerman's pub). Just wander through this area and you'll find a variety of pubs, bars and clubs (in addition to the List magazine, you can find out what's on where by collecting the flyers and leaflets handed out in bars). One great student "institution" is the Pear Tree House, a pub located on West Nicolson Street (near the University) with a huge beer garden that's always buzzing, winter (they have heaters) or summer. Nearby on Lothian Street you'll find Negociants, with a more laid back café upstairs and busy bar downstairs.
Or try the Basement bar, a funky and popular place on Broughton street, on the other side of Prince's street (http://www.thebasement.org.uk/).

A must visit - The Mission - in the basement of a bar called the Rocking Horse, Victoria Street. Definitely off the tourist track!

Yep, Grassmarket and George IV (4th) Bridge, just as hanl said. Edinburgh's a university town - there's loads of pubs and bars.

And yes buy the List to see what's going on.