Venue hire

 

Whilst church services take priority – we are a growing congregation – it is pleasing that St Vincent’s is one of central Edinburgh’s smaller but highly prized venues for a wide range of meetings – learned societies, community council, book launches, bible studies and many more – and especially music making, and of a wide range of music. 

The Refectory at the back of the church, is great for small meetings and activities, seats around 25 on folding chairs, and has access to folding tables, the kitchen and our upright piano. The Nave of the Church, great for larger gatherings and events, and well used for intimate concerts, seats about 120 in the fixed pews. Seating for activities in The Nave can be increased by accessing the Gallery‘s pews which permit another 25 people.  In the basement The Undercroft, accessed externally, is highly adaptable and can welcome a maximum of 60 people, but has no disabled access at present. All spaces use services on the ground floor. Use of The Refectory and the kitchen is included in the hire of The Nave. Hire of The Undercroft includes use of the kitchen.

Our City of Edinburgh Council Public Entertainment Licence allows the maximum number of people to be admitted to the Premises at any one time of 140, and within the hours of 9am to 11pm.

Practise, teach or rehearse in The Nave (with or without use of Weinbach grand piano), in The Refectory (includes use of Blüthner upright piano), or in The Undercroft (no piano).

Concerts and events in The Nave include use of The Refectory and kitchen, and can include use of the Weinbach grand piano (at a small additional charge).

St Vincent’s has wi-fi throughout the building. The wi-fi code is beside the router in the Refectory.

The induction hearing loop covers both the Nave of the church and Undercroft.

 

Rates 2025 and 2026

(Charities should contact the Venue Hire Coordinator)

Venue Hire

The Nave of the Church (includes use of refectory and kitchen) £18 per hour

Minimum charge per hire £36

Addition for use of Weinbach grand piano £7 per hour up to maximum charge of £25 per hire

Refectory (includes use of kitchen) £12.50 per hour

Minimum charge per hire £25

No additional charge for use of Blüthner upright piano in Refectory

Undercroft (includes use of kitchen) £12.50 per hour

Minimum charge per hire £25

 

Standalone Hire of Pianos 

Weinbach grand piano £16 per hour

Blüthner upright piano £11 per hour

No minimum charges for standalone hires of pianos, but bookings only by the hour.

Note – hires of pianos alone may be subject to cancellation if preventing new hires of the Nave/Refectory/Undercroft 

Enquiries with a description of your event by email to Venue Hire Co-ordinator, Gerry Wells:  mailto:venuehire@stvincentschapel.org.uk

The hire of St Vincent’s is subject to the acceptance of our Terms and Conditions. These must be read and accepted before we can confirm a booking: https://www.stvincentschapel.org.uk/terms-conditions-of-hire-of-st-vincents/

 


EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE

St Vincent’s and its Undercroft are Venue Number 197 in the annual three-week-long Edinburgh Festival Fringe – the world’s largest arts festival. In 2026 this runs from 7th August to 31st August.

Our Fringe Venue Manager: The Hon Barnaby Miln

Our Fringe Assistant Venue Manager: Gerry Wells, venuehire@stvincentschapel.org.uk

 

THE NAVE AS A VENUE SPACE

Tim Macdonald’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe performance in August 2022

 

A talk by the National Galleries of Scotland on the origin of St Vincent’s late Victorian east window as part of the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts in August 2021.

 

The annual Record Store Day organised by VoxBox in St Stephen Street on 13th April 2019. About 650 people visited the church during the day-long event. 

 

An exhibition of St Vincent’s Vestments as part of the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts in August 2021.

 

OUR TWO PIANOS AND ORGAN

St Vincent’s purchased this new Petrof Weinbach 7′ Grand Piano in 2016. Here it is in its place for practising.

 

St Vincent’s Petrof Weinbach grand piano in position for a recital.

 

Our Petrof Weinbach grand piano in place for a recital.

The Refectory at the back of the Nave with the upright piano, and kitchen at the far end

 

St Vincent’s mellow Blüthner piano in the Refectory

 

Our Blüthner upright piano in the Refectory at the back of the church

 

St Vincent’s Makin Westmorland Sapphire organ, installed in July 2021, the gift of a member of the congregation.

 

THE UNDERCROFT

The Undercroft below the church is seen here prepared for a talk during the Edinburgh Festival of the Sacred Arts. Beyond can be seen a photographic exhibition.

 

In recent years the Undercroft has also been used as an artist’s studio and exhibition area, a covid-testing station, dining room for film crews working nearby, orchestra rehearsal space, for parties and gatherings and for screen acting courses. With removal of an old boiler recently an additional space has become available.

 

A gathering in the Undercroft following a Scottish Heraldry Society church service. The lighting has since been upgraded.

 

With the removal of an old boiler in late 2025, an additional space is now available in the Undercroft.
Access to the Undercroft is by the outside steps only.

ST VINCENT’S KITCHEN

Our well equipped kitchen is an extension to the Refectory. It is available for tea and coffee making, as well as for heating up food.
St Vincent's Chapel, Edinburgh, the village church at the heart of the city.