For the last three decades, Legends in the Cowgate has been ‘a place where the alternative scene in Edinburgh could exist, grow and thrive’ – and recent news about its potential closure has left the bar’s team ‘heartbroken and angry’.
Venue staff released a statement on Thursday which asked fans of the venue to visit on Friday, March 13, to say a big final farewell.
They said: “It's looking more likely that this weekend will probably be our last, although if we are still around at all next week, we will try again to see what we can pull together for our amazing community.”
Hundreds of regulars visited the buzzing nightclub - some of whom have been coming since the mid 1990s. Speaking to the Evening News, one said: “When Legends closes, young, up and coming bands will be robbed of a place to call their home and won’t have a place to get their foot in the door.”
Carys, a member of metal band Mrs Frighthouse, said: “There is an incredible community around this venue – two of our best gigs were here and they have an incredible sound engineer. I’ve been introduced to so many great bands here and I’ve never been to a bad show at Legends.”
Fellow bandmember Luna said: “If I lived in Edinburgh I’d be here every week. It’s such a welcoming space where bands are able to perform early in their careers and become established. Unlike other smaller venues it’s got a big stage with an incredible sound and it’s just the perfect venue to play in. When it goes it’s going to impact the Scottish music scene so much.”
Earlier in the week, the Legends team said the Cowgate bar ‘isn't just a venue, it's our community, it's our family’.
Writing to their loyal customers, staff said they were ‘angry and heartbroken’ at the sudden news adding: “This is more than just a closure of a bar - it is a continuation of the total disregard of the alternative scene in Edinburgh and the loss of yet another live music venue.”
They said: “For more than 35 years it has been the home for people who don't always fit in the mainstream - a place where the alternative scene in Edinburgh could exist, grow and thrive. It has been a venue for live music, a space for artists, bands and fans to come together, let go and find friendship, and a sense of community that has helped people through some of their toughest times.”
Scroll through our gallery to see pictures of Legends nightclub in Edinburgh from Friday night.
1. Decades of memories
Locals Fi and Ry outside Legends on Friday. Fi has been coming to the venue for more than 20 years. She joined dozens of other longtime regulars on Friday night – many of whom have been coming for decades. | Iconic Media
2. 'The perfect venue to play in'
Luna and Carys, who have gigged at Legends several times, are sad to see the venue go. The duo, who make up metal band Mrs Frighthouse, said ‘it’s the perfect venue to play in’. Luna (left) added: “I never thought our gig in December would be our last time. It’s the perfect venue to play in and when it goes it’s going to impact the Scottish music scene so much.” | Iconic Media
3. Staff Statement
A message from staff said Legends has been a ‘home for misfits, outcasts, and anyone who just needed a place to belong’. It added: “A building alone doesn’t make a community, the people do. So keep showing up, keep supporting the music, keep supporting each other.” | Iconic Media
4. Big turnout
It didn’t take long for the venue to fill up after it opened at 7pm on Friday 13. Regulars came out in droves to say goodbye to their cherished venue. | Iconic Media