Tuesday January 20th 2026
The Globe Bar on Niddry Street shut at the start of this year with new owners taking over.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan
The new owners of a city centre pub have been granted permission to stay open until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights.
The Globe Bar, on Niddry Street, shut its doors at the very start of this year, with Encore pub group – behind Freddy’s, the Boston Bar and Westside Rodeo – taking over the spot.
Its new owners said they would be aiming to keep the sport and live entertainment offering the Globe Bar had provided before their taking over.
They said there would be a ‘smooth, low-fuss’ transition for regulars and staff, with an earlier statement saying they planned to be open again by February.
Encore applied to the Licensing Board in a bid to see the venue open from 12 noon until 3pm daily, a shift from the current 9am to 1am opening time it is licensed for.
Licensing solicitor Niall Hassard said: “It’s really Boston Bar which forms the blueprint for what they’re proposing here on Niddry Street, in terms of the vision.
“What they want to do is offer good food and all the sports throughout the day, and then a very strong live music offering across the evening until closing time.”
He added that the bar’s new owners wanted to have children able to attend events or eat on the premises until 9pm, and young people until 11.
SNP councillor David Key asked why the venue wanted to stay open until 3am, when the Boston Bar closes at 1am.
Mr Hassard said that the setting was different, with the Boston Bar being in less of a late-night entertainment area.
He added: “They find that people are leaving Boston Bar begrudgingly at one o’clock. It’s not like people are wanting to go with the live music going.
“So I do believe that desire is there for people to remain with that style of entertainment, as opposed to being shuffled off to a nightclub-style environment.”
Earlier in the meeting, a Police Scotland representative said late night venues on Niddry Street required a significant amount of policing resources.
Green councillor Chas Booth asked Mr Hassard to speak on what the representative said, and whether the late opening would cause further impact on the street.
Mr Hassard said that the operators were experienced in operating venues in areas with a significant amount of late-hours trading.
He added: “Having it in an area which is an existing hub, I think in my submission, is a good thing.
“We’re not talking about massive capacity. It’s 300 at its fullest. You’ve got Hive, you’ve got Banshee, you’ve got Three Sisters.
“I don’t think this is enough in terms of addition to cause any significant problem, especially with experienced operators.”
Responding to another question by Cllr Booth, Mr Hassard said the venue would not be looking to change existing seasonal variations in the licence.
Cllr Key said he wanted the venue to keep its current licensed hours as a ‘trial period’, and have the operators come back later on for an extension.
Cllr Booth said he agreed with Cllr Key, and that he had concerns about allowing children and young people access without councillors being able to see the premises.
It had been established earlier in the meeting that, due to ongoing construction works, a visit would not be practical, but that video footage could be provided.
Liberal Democrat councillor and Licensing Board convener Louise Young suggested an interim position, that saw the venue open until 3am on Friday and Saturday for a trial period.
Additionally, it would see children and young people granted access to the premises until 8pm on a daily basis.
The operators would be able to come back at a later date and apply for further hours after a time.
Councillors verbally agreed the position suggested by Cllr Young.
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