"We are thrilled to finally announce the launch of the Gallery Bar”, says Rowan Campbell, Summerhall’s general manager.
“Over the past year, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to refurbish the space and cannot wait to welcome everyone inside.
"Though we love our courtyard, Scottish weather is unpredictable at best and I’m sure we’re all looking forward to a tipple inside our beloved (and heated) Summerhall”.
On Thursday May 20, this venue will be unveiling the lockdown makeover of its new eating and drinking space, in what used to be the cafe.
To celebrate, the first 100 guests to book a table for their opening night, through the Summerhall website, will get a gratis gin and tonic, featuring a measure from their in-house distillery, Pickering’s Gin, to go with their meal.
Their new seasonal menu features a range of simple and casual dishes, with bacon rolls, a breakfast wrap and porridge pots first thing, then ciabattas for lunch, as well as main dishes, available from noon until 8pm, which will include sea bream, chorizo and chickpeas, pork chops in mushroom and garlic gravy, nachos and lasagna.
Other drinks include Barney’s Beer, also produced on site, and including their draught Volcano IPA and Stone’s Throw (the gluten-free beer that’s usually sold exclusively at the Royal Dick Bar, which is yet to reopen, though an announcement is pending).
You may not recognise the new space, if you were familiar with Summerhall’s rather neutrally decorated cafe.
Of course, there’s still the same tables and chairs and those big windows looking out onto the Meadows, but the rest of the room has been transformed into a living-room-style hang-out.
There are forest green walls, sunburst mirrors, lots of plants, some of which are in a converted barrel, posters and artworks from previous exhibitions.
Despite the socially distanced layout, it looks cosier.
To suit current guidelines, there are tables for two to four people available in two hour slots, with the bar open from 10am-8pm and food available to sit-in or takeaway.
Just remember to book, if you want to bag that free gin and tonic.
