Whistlebinkies really wants you to know they have free live music. The entrance is marked by a neon sign telling you there is free live music, the venue is adorned with posters showing the ever changing line-up of free live music and they have taken out a listing in the Fringe guide advertising their free live music. However, despite the fact that this music is advertised ad nauseum the way a regular show at the Fringe would be, it is nothing more specific than what it claims to be: absolutely free live music.
It is impossible to comment on the quality of the bands on the whole, or the specific genre of music played on any given night, since both of these change regularly. My night at Whistlebinkies involved the classic rock covers of The New Schmoo and the alternative jam rock band Elwood. Both bands delivered what they promised on their listing competently, and were very well received by the crowd.
Whether it was the venue's acoustics or the sound mixing, I found music itself was rather muddled and the singers difficult to understand. The venue's size may contribute to the acoustic troubles, but also allows for plenty of space away from the music if you find yourself wanting a little more conversation. The bar offers a decent amount of variety, so everyone should be able to find something they like. In the same vein, the constantly changing line-up means that it's worth checking out any night you find yourself wandering around the Old Town wanting some place to relax with a bit of live music.
At its core, this listing is not for a show, but for a bar with lots of space, a good variety of drinks, a good central location and some absolutely free live music.
