Opening of the Leith Social Club

The Leith Social Club, formerly known as The Tam O’Shanter pub, officially opens its doors on 7 August. 

The space has been reimagined to channel the textures, music and mood of the 1980s and ‘90s. Designed in collaboration with Mike Baxter, co-founder of the House of Gods hotel, it is described as a “love letter to the decades which shaped his youth.”

Commenting on his involvement, he said: “When I was approached to take on the Tam O’Shanter, what I wanted to do was to celebrate the culture and community, and reimagine the local pub for a modern audience.

“I didn’t want to fake it. I lived through the ‘90s in bars like this. I wanted something that felt real – inspired by The Face magazine, with live music, classic DJ sets, a great pint and killer art.”   

Interiors feature a pool table, dart board and a jukebox with a top 20 picked by the Happy Mondays' Bez.  The Leith Social Club team is planning a packed social schedule, which will include pub quizzes and live podcast chats with icons of the ‘80s and ‘90s.

The pub’s opening weekend coincides with the arrival of Oasis to Edinburgh. On 7 August, Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? producer Owen Morris will be sharing stories from the studio in an intimate, ticketed event prior to the pub’s opening, at 8pm.

The Leith Social Club is at 39 Great Junction Street.

@leith_socialclub

Photography: Leith Social Club