Popular Edinburgh cocktail bar The Blackbird, on Leven Street in the city’s Tollcross, has unveiled a £100,000 summer glow-up to coincide with the grand re-opening of the nearby King’s Theatre.
The makeover is the work of Edinburgh-based bar operator and special events company, Big Red Teapot – which also runs The Voyage of Buck in the west end – and marks the beginning of a series of developments planned over the course of 2026, with stage two taking place later this year.
Big Red Teapot managing director and co-owner Colin Church said: “We’re so excited to be showcasing our bold new look in time for the Festival and to coincide with the grand re-opening of the beautiful King’s Theatre, located just opposite on Leven Street.
“Following a major £100,000 investment, we’re elevating the customer experience even further with an exciting new interior makeover, as well as new food and cocktails menus.
The interior makeover has transformed the venue with mid-century plaster pink, terracotta and blue-green colour drenching, coupled with internal tiling, contemporary globe lighting and pop art touches.
The Blackbird’s bartenders have created a new summer cocktail menu as part of thi summer glow-up, including ‘Joggling Board’ made with rum, orange liqueur, sweet Italian vermouth, grapefruit and turmeric; and ‘Kingston Dove’ made with tequila, guava, pineapple, lime and sparkling water.
There is also a new frozen house Martini, new zero proof cocktails and zero proof beers and ciders.
Highlights of The Blackbird’s new all-day summer food menu include whole burrata with honeydew melon salsa and prosciutto crisps; and pork belly with curried cauliflower, green apple and honey.
The current staff favourite is fried chicken with house peach hot sauce and fermented pineapple relish, as well as new vegan dishes, including the house ‘Spa Salad’ made with broccoli, strawberry, avocado, chickpeas and kale.
Notably for its area, the Blackbird is blessed with a garden terrace, which offers customers a ‘green urban oasis’ on warm summer evenings during the Festival in August and throughout the year.
Church added: “We look forward to welcoming back local neighbourhood customers, as well as festival goers and King’s Theatre audiences this summer and beyond.”
