The Wee Red Bar 4/5

Reviewed by Ella Woods for View Edinburgh.co.uk

The Wee Red Bar has a special place in many a students heart. It’s got character, atmosphere and perhaps most importantly, an individuality of its own. Maybe its time more of us got in on the action.

The Venue

Attached to Edinburgh College of Art, the Wee Red Bar is tucked a little off the beaten track. It’s situated in an enclosed central courtyard and found inside the university building itself. The name is pretty self-explanatory ‘its small and painted red’ but behind this basic façade is a bar with more substance than most.

It has no windows and relies on a palette of red and black. Seating is a mish-mash of black leather sofas and basic school canteen-style chairs. But what the Wee Red proves is that sometimes it can be less about visual surroundings and more about providing an intriguing social space.

The People

What the Wee Red may seem to lack in style, it makes up for in atmosphere. It has a warm, close-knit feel and it’s the kind of place where the word ‘stranger’ becomes obsolete.

The staff are chummy and relaxed in their approach and although a lot of the crowd are young and arty, there is no showiness to contend with. Plus it is a versatile space, hosting music events, art talks, special club nights and more. There’s always a buzz and something to feel a part of.

The Music

Music is a big draw and they host regular live music nights with the focus on local artists and bands. Plus, there’s classic Saturday club night The Egg with a crowd pleasing mix of old, new and never-heard-before tunes. It’s also the kind of place where musicians will approach you for feedback, so once again it becomes a melting pot of intermingling bodies and voices.

The Drink

The bar lives up to its name. It’s small and serves a limited selection of drinks including spirits and mixers, bottles of Becks and the obligatory cans of Red Stripe. The emphasis is on keeping prices down, rather than choices wide, and drinks average at about £2.

If you ask for wine the choice is simple as there are only two options – red or white. Drinks are served in clear plastic cups in keeping with the high school disco vibe.

The Last Word

A basic yet quirky little bar that places the emphasis on music, cheap drinks and a relaxed social setting. The Wee Red Bar has caught onto the fact that sometimes that’s all you need.

I have waited over three years but at last my dream has come true. 48 Classic Video Games from my childhood has been delivered to The Wee Red Bar.
Frogger, Dig-Dug, Space Invaders, Mr. Do!, Pacman, 1943, Zaxxon,
Donkey Kong, Galaxian, etc. etc.

Only £1.00 for three games of your choice. If the bar is closed and you want to come and play then just ask in the SRC Office.

http://www.timebase.tv/ArtSchoolDance/Movs/

or look in our Videos section here

Yes it's time for our Annual Summer Revel again and to celebrate 100 years of Edinburgh College of Art we look to the Future for the theme.

Here are the attractions -

7 LIVE bands in the marquee - Futuristic Retro Champions, Paul Vickers And The Leg, The Cigarettes, Rockaoke, The Gussets, 8 Line Poem and Come On Gang.

Dj's in the canteen - Upstart, Trouble, Tall Paul and The Sequin Sisters

Big Toe's Hi-Fi vibrations in the Wee Red Bar

Karaoke with Harry Ainsworth (Snatch/Perrier etc.)

Bucking Beer Bottle
Time Machine
BBQ
Fancy Dress Prizes
Cocktail Bar
Beer tent

10 pm - late

Tickets £12.00 in advance available from the SRC Office or College Shop
OR pay £14.00 cash on the door

WARNING: This event will sell out so please get your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment

This is just to say THANK-YOU to the people who have recently helped in the upgrading of The Wee Red Bar as a venue.

Thanks to Jamie aka The Tealer for his extensive lighting re-fit for gigs and ongoing flashing disco action activities for the dancefloor. You can find him
in our Top friends for more examples of his work.

Thanks to sound engineer Brian Jones for his installation of compressor,
EQ and rigorous sound-checking of the system to make it sound sweet
with all genres of music.

Finally last but not least a BIG "Two to Kirkcaldy" to Bob The Painter
for his fine re-decoration work and bringing the bar back to RED
at long last. One smart fella indeed!

Just a reminder to all customers past, present and future that we operate a Students, Members and Guests policy on our door. You must bring some form of identification to ensure entry to The Wee Red Bar.

1. If you are a Student then bring your Student card.

2. If you are a member of The Egg then bring your Egg card.

3. If you are neither then bring a passport or driving licence and make sure you can get signed in by someone who is a Student or a Member and once you have paid admission you can ask about becoming a member of The Egg.

4. If you would like an Egg membership or have lost your old one then please send a message to me.