Situated on top of Waverley Mall, the Festival Village closed for good this year after the council refused to grant an extension on the collection of pop-up bars. Opening in 2017, the owners later applied for a three-year extension, arguing the bars and food stalls contributed to the ‘vibrancy and vitality of the city centre.’ But planning chiefs claimed the Festival Village was not in line with the character and appearance of the New and Old Town conservation areas.Situated on top of Waverley Mall, the Festival Village closed for good this year after the council refused to grant an extension on the collection of pop-up bars. Opening in 2017, the owners later applied for a three-year extension, arguing the bars and food stalls contributed to the ‘vibrancy and vitality of the city centre.’ But planning chiefs claimed the Festival Village was not in line with the character and appearance of the New and Old Town conservation areas.
Situated on top of Waverley Mall, the Festival Village closed for good this year after the council refused to grant an extension on the collection of pop-up bars. Opening in 2017, the owners later applied for a three-year extension, arguing the bars and food stalls contributed to the ‘vibrancy and vitality of the city centre.’ But planning chiefs claimed the Festival Village was not in line with the character and appearance of the New and Old Town conservation areas.

Edinburgh bars and nightclubs that closed their doors for good in 2023 from Cav, the Auld Hoose and Basils

By Neil Johnstone
Published 30th Dec 2023, 16:56 BST
Updated 30th Dec 2023, 18:12 BST
Edinburgh lost several popular businesses this year…here is a list of eight bars and clubs that closed their doors for the last time in 2023

From legendary Edinburgh nightclubs to award winning dog-friendly pubs, the capital lost some great drinking venues this year.

West Tollcross venue, ATIK, more commonly known as The Cavendish or Cav, shocked regulars when they announced plans to close their iconic venue at the beginning of the year. And towards the end of the 2023 it became apparent that the pop-up bar on the rooftop of Waverley Mall would soon be a thing of the past.

Here are eight bars and clubs that closed their doors for good in 2023.

Here are eight bars and clubs that closed their doors for good in 2023.

Dog-friendly Leith pub, Woodland Creatures, announced their plans to close in March 2023. Previous winners of the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, the pub had a beer garden and enjoyed a prominent location on Leith Walk. The Leith pub was known for its Sunday roasts, mac and cheese, and delicious cocktails and local craft beers.

5. Woodland Creatures

Dog-friendly Leith pub, Woodland Creatures, announced their plans to close in March 2023. Previous winners of the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, the pub had a beer garden and enjoyed a prominent location on Leith Walk. The Leith pub was known for its Sunday roasts, mac and cheese, and delicious cocktails and local craft beers. Photo: Google Street View

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Newhaven bar Basils, opened in 2019 after extensive refurbishment of the former Annfield pub. The sixties-inspired bar was described as a ‘chic, easy going tavern’ but the venue shocked many of its customers when they announced their sudden closure in November. Owners, Star Pubs, said they are talking to another operator and are keen to reopen the venue ‘as soon as possible.’

6. Basils.jpg

Newhaven bar Basils, opened in 2019 after extensive refurbishment of the former Annfield pub. The sixties-inspired bar was described as a ‘chic, easy going tavern’ but the venue shocked many of its customers when they announced their sudden closure in November. Owners, Star Pubs, said they are talking to another operator and are keen to reopen the venue ‘as soon as possible.’ Photo: Google Maps

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Located on St Leonard’s Street, The Auld Hoose was a traditional pub with a wide selection of ales, beers and spirits. The cosy pub was also unofficially recognised as having the best jukebox in Edinburgh and home of the largest nachos in town. Owners announced in December that the bar would remain closed ‘until further notice’ and took aim at the Scottish Government for not replicating the UK Government’s business rates relief scheme.

7. The Auld Hoose

Located on St Leonard’s Street, The Auld Hoose was a traditional pub with a wide selection of ales, beers and spirits. The cosy pub was also unofficially recognised as having the best jukebox in Edinburgh and home of the largest nachos in town. Owners announced in December that the bar would remain closed ‘until further notice’ and took aim at the Scottish Government for not replicating the UK Government’s business rates relief scheme. Photo: Google Maps

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Edinburgh’s legendary ATIK nightclub announced it would close in January 2023. The West Tollcross venue was beloved by generations of Capital clubbers with the popular club having several names over the years including, The Cavendish, Clouds, Outer Limits, Bermuda Triangle and Lava & Ignite. Over the years, the venue played host to a number of legendary acts including Pink Floyd, The Jam and The Ramones. In 2016, scenes from Danny Boyle’s T2: Trainspottingwere filmed inside the venue with Edinburgh locals invited to star as extras wearing their finest 80s clobber.

8. ATIK

Edinburgh’s legendary ATIK nightclub announced it would close in January 2023. The West Tollcross venue was beloved by generations of Capital clubbers with the popular club having several names over the years including, The Cavendish, Clouds, Outer Limits, Bermuda Triangle and Lava & Ignite. Over the years, the venue played host to a number of legendary acts including Pink Floyd, The Jam and The Ramones. In 2016, scenes from Danny Boyle’s T2: Trainspottingwere filmed inside the venue with Edinburgh locals invited to star as extras wearing their finest 80s clobber. Photo: ATIK

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