‘Understory’, a new cocktail bar from Edinburgh’s Signature Group, is promising to shake up the city’s West End bar scene when it opens on Tuesday 15th September.
Described as a ‘five-star dive bar’, the new venture is housed in the vaulted space under The Rutland Hotel, and is being led by former Bramble manager, Sam Baxendale, and The Rutland’s head of bars, James Grant.
Baxendale has over 21 years’ experience leading some of Edinburgh’s top venues, including Monteiths and Bon Vivant, as well as five years running ‘World Top 50’ bar, Bramble.
Grant has been at The Rutland for four years, and was promoted to be its head of bars in 2026. He has competed in many UK-based drink competitions, including coming second place in UK Italicus and finalist in the NcNean, Jamesons, Sipsmith and Kilchoman cocktail competitions.
‘Understory’ takes its name from the hidden layer beneath the forest canopy – ‘a place where life quietly thrives below the surface’ – in a nod to the subterranean vaults the new bar occupies.
Ahead of opening, Signature teased that the relaunched venue would have ‘rich and opulent colours and textures; and a dash of maximalist design with modern ambient lighting and neons’.
It will also have an on-site lab where the team will craft many of the ingredients behind the rotating cocktail menu concept, which will initially be built entirely around nostalgia.
The debut chapter, ‘Batch 01: Halcyon Days’, will draw on British childhood memories. The colours, flavours and aromas of ‘penny sweets and half-remembered summers will be reimagined through contemporary but approachable drinks and a menu that doesn’t take itself too seriously’.
Baxendale said: “We want Understory to become a part of Edinburgh’s hospitality culture – to be on people’s list when they think of what places to recommend.”
Grant added: “I’m excited to see this project come to life and share it with people. It feels like we’re making a bar for the right reason.”
A small plates menu has been designed to match the irreverent vibe, complete with beef tartare and caviar served with crisps; barbecue corn ribs; and chicken tenders served with Champagne.
The historic Rutland building is home to a range of other venues, including The Rutland’s boutique hotel rooms and apartments, The Huxley bar and Kyloe steak restaurant.
Following a £100,000 investment by Signature Group, Understory is expected to support 15 local jobs when it opens to the public in September.
Mike Lewis, director of The Rutland, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be launching Understory after six months of developing what has been a real passion project for us.
“We describe it as a ‘five-star dive bar’ — incredibly modern, innovative drinks without the fuss, underpinned by what we believe is the sometimes-forgotten art of genuine hospitality.
“We’ve brought together an amazing team to create something exciting and different for Edinburgh’s West End, and I genuinely believe Understory will be one of the most exciting new bars in Edinburgh to open in 2026.”
