On 9 March, The Library Bar was once again open to students after being closed since September 2023.
The Library Bar, located in Teviot, is regarded by some students as being the main attraction in the University of Edinburgh’s Student Union.
One second-year economics student said “the Library bar is the best bar in Teviot,” with another student commenting “it’s so sick.”
Renovations to the Library Bar remained minimal, namely, the wood, hardware, and bar area below were refurbished.
The University of Edinburgh said they aimed to to “preserve the atmosphere and architecture that generations of students and visitors have loved.”
While the new Union Social Bar has been modernised and is now “space-themed,” students can enjoy the Library Bar’s classic “heritage features.”
On Teviot’s Instagram, they commented that the Library Bar had a very “dark-academia” aesthetic.
The Library Bar was originally a study space and built as an extension to Teviot in 1905.
28,000 books were borrowed within a year of its opening, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that it became a bar.
The Library Bar’s debut comes weeks after Teviot reopened its doors on 4 March.
Like Potterrow, Teviot serves alcohol throughout the day, with many commenting on the perceived increase in student day drinking.
One Teviot employee described working in the new Student Union as being “very fun and busy” and “slightly nicer than Potterrow.”
Potterrow will detransition from the de facto Student Union back to study spaces and offices.
The location is not only a pub but also a venue for live music and sports, with Teviot set to host the final Six Nations games.
Reels from Teviot’s Instagram show the Union Social Bar’s dance floor swarmed with people in a club-like atmosphere.
According to one student at the Union Social Bar on 8 March, “it is packed.”
The Union Social Bar has replaced the previous sports and underground bars.
“Nachos have been shared, pints have been poured, and smiles have been seen all around our building,” reports the new venue.
The Union Social Bar asked alumni to curate a playlist with songs that remind them of their experiences at the Union.
While Teviot is the University of Edinburgh’s student union, locals and tourists often come into the building and “especially the bar,” according to one student.
Image by Isabel Beiboer for The Student