Edinburgh's Opal Lounge relaunches but '˜not as you know it'

After nearly two decades as the pearl in George Street's nightclub scene Opal Lounge has undergone a huge transformation.
Andrew Mackie, bar manager and 
Ben Greig, general managerAndrew Mackie, bar manager and 
Ben Greig, general manager
Andrew Mackie, bar manager and Ben Greig, general manager

Marvel’s Captain America, the Crown Prince of Morocco and the future King of the UK have all darkened the door of the subterranean bar but now the club will take on a new vibe.

Reinvented as Eastside and billed as ‘George Street but not as you know it’ the former glitzy nightclub has shed its old, traditional club layout in favour of the popular “indoor festival” vibe.

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Indoor street food in collaboration with the likes of celebrity Chef, Tony Singh will be on offer alongside pool tables, guest DJ sets and live music.

The easy-going, dance-where-you-stand, space has been aimed at the after work drinks crowd as well as late night revellers.

Ditch the kebab queue and visit the indoor pop-up food stands where hungry dancers can munch on delights such as dumplings from ‘Yumpling Dumpings’.

Located within the basement of refurbished former auction house, Lyon and Turnbull, the concrete, raw brick and stone combined with Marmolium tiles and exposed air con aims to give the venue a rustic edge away from it’s former existence.

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Cool and contemporary with a nod to the industrial, Eastside has bespoke nooks and crannies aimed at enticing everyone into the “house party” vibe.

An Eastside spokeswoman said: “We pride ourselves on truly understanding the wants of our customers and trends within the market both locally and globally.

“People have fallen out of love with the traditional bar scene and the rise in popularity for hybrid, social spaces that allow dancing, drinking, eating and conversation to happen under the one roof is what our target demographic are looking for.

“Eastside is somewhere to meet after work, listen to good music and as the night progresses, a place to party and stay refuelled on fantastic food until 3am.”

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