New North Berwick pub and restaurant The Bass & Barrel unveils opening menu ahead of launch next month
Former North Berwick hotel to re-open next month as new pub and restaurant
Hospitality operator Buzzworks has revealed a flavour of what diners can expect from its new North Berwick pub and restaurant venue opening next month.
The Bass & Barrel will be open seven days a week, serving food from early until late. Locals can drop in for everything from morning coffee and breakfast to leisurely lunches, casual dinners, drinks with friends and special occasion celebrations.
The drinks offering will be just as considered, with draught beers and local ales available behind the bar alongside a selection of wines, spirits and classic and signature cocktails.
The kitchen team has developed an extensive all-day menu for the transformed former Nether Abbey Hotel, with fresh seafood and prime Scotch steaks at its heart, alongside much-loved pub classics and family favourites.
Scottish produce will take centre stage across the menu, with Buzzworks working alongside trusted local suppliers including Edgefield Craft Butchers, whose owner is from North Berwick. The venue will showcase 28-day dry-aged meat, while locally sourced seafood will reflect The Bass & Barrel’s coastal setting.
David Bell, director of food at Buzzworks, said: “We wanted to create a menu that feels right for The Bass & Barrel and its fantastic coastal setting, but above all one that gives the local community plenty of reasons to visit time and time again.
“Whether you’re popping in for a morning coffee, meeting friends for lunch, enjoying a casual evening meal or celebrating a special occasion, we want there to be something for everyone throughout the day.
“At the heart of it is simplicity, sourcing outstanding ingredients and preparing them exceptionally well. We’re incredibly proud to work with suppliers such as Edgefield Craft Butchers, as well as local fishmongers, to make the most of the fantastic produce available to us.
“The Sunday roast is going to be a real highlight. It serves four with all the trimmings and is exactly the kind of dish that gets family and friends around the table together.
“We want breakfast at The Bass & Barrel to be a reason to visit in its own right. We’ve focused on great Scottish produce, quality ingredients and doing the classics really well.”
The opening menu is the latest detail to be revealed ahead of the completion of the major seven-figure transformation of the former Nether Abbey Hotel into The Bass & Barrel.
At its heart will be a welcoming pub and restaurant for the North Berwick community, open seven days a week for locals to eat, drink and socialise, with 12 bedrooms upstairs offering an additional option for those looking to stay in the East Lothian seaside town.
Bookings are now open for both dining and overnight stays ahead of The Bass & Barrel on Dirleton Avenue opening on Tuesday, October 20. To book, you can visit their website here.
Part of Buzzworks’ growing House Collection, The Bass & Barrel has been designed by designer Jim Hamilton, combining “relaxed hospitality with timeless, stylish accommodation”.
Buzzworks is a B Corp-certified business which operates 25 award-winning bars and restaurants across Scotland, and was named Best Managed Pub Company in the UK under 51 sites at the 2025 Publican Awards.