Opening this week in Edinburgh’s West End is Downstairs at Betty’s, described by founder Matt Colagiuri as a ‘five-star, sing-along piano & cocktail bar’ in the style of the establishments that once proliferated In New York’s Broadway theatre district.
Despite this transatlantic inspiration, Downstairs at Betty’s arrives in the Scottish capital’s Charlotte Lane having been transplanted by Colagiuri from its original home in Lisbon, Portugal.
After a career in musical theatre, when Colagiuri moved to Lisbon in the late 2010s, he missed the ‘camaraderie and community’ of the Broadway piano bars he loved, so adapted the concept for the Portuguese capital.
He named his business after his grandmother Betty, who had gathered the family around the piano for holiday sing-alongs in her downstairs den – and the Lisbon Betty’s quickly became a five-star attraction on Tripadvisor.
Now, motivated by the music-loving Scots who visited the Lisbon bar, Colagiuri has decided to uproot the concept to Edinburgh, where he has teamed up with bartender, Stefan Creran, who has led some notable city cocktail bars, including Nightcap and Lucky Liquor.
The bar, largely designed by Matt, is said to exude a ‘retro mid-century aesthetic with a playful turquoise colour palette’. The focal point of the piano will be at one end of the lounge with seating and booths stretching to the far end, enabling guests to choose how involved they want to be in the sing-alongs.
Importance has been placed on bar seating and a ‘bartop’ designed around the piano to ensure ‘conviviality and connection’ between customers, musicians and staff.
Stefan’s drinks list will share top billing with the music, said Colagiuri, with the quality of the drinks reflecting Edinburgh’s status as home to some of the best cocktail bars in the country.
Stefan is said to craft drinks based on sustainable and ethical foundations, with a minimalist and clean style, favouring complexity of flavour over presentation.
Original creations on the opening menu will include: Flora, using Boatyard gin, Fair chipotle, Liqueur de Grandmont, and lychee; El Capitán, with NY Distilling Ragtime Rye, Aba pisco, Lucky Liquor Smoky Cherry, Cocchi Torino, and black walnut; Meteora Sunrise, using East London Gin, Port of Leith White Port, raspberry, and olive; Naked, Famous & Regretful, with vegan-butter washed Pensador mezcal, Aperol, Liqueur de Grandmont, and super lime.
In addition to Stefan’s mixes there is a wide selection of classic cocktails, wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks. A small snack menu will also be available featuring local cheese from Ian Mellis and charcuterie.
Downstairs at Betty’s will be open Wednesday to Sunday, 5pm to 1am, with a pianist performing 6.30pm to midnight over two shifts.
