Iconic Edinburgh bar CC Blooms is set for a major transformation with a £230,000 investment from Heineken-owned Star Pubs and its licensees. The renovation of the Greenside Place venue will begin on 25 August and complete by late September.
Licensees and husbands Mitch Stark and Tim Douglas, who have operated CC Blooms since 2008, are spearheading the project alongside Star Pubs. The ground floor bar will receive a complete makeover with new food offerings and an earlier 1pm opening time to meet changing customer demands.
Heritage meets modern design
The venue occupies a Category B listed building dating back to 1798, with a ground floor extension added when the neighbouring Playhouse Theatre was constructed in 1929. The renovation will completely repaint the exterior, install new lighting and gold signage, plus create a stylish alfresco pavement area.
Inside, CC Blooms - named after Bette Midler's character in the film Beaches - will receive a luxurious transformation incorporating rich colours, velvet-covered banquette seating, and herringbone wood flooring. Marble-topped tables, glazed wall tiles, and a striking arched back bar will complete the look, along with long velvet drapes nodding to the adjacent theatre.
Preserving architectural treasures
The exposed stone pillars and archways from the building's original 18th-century façade will remain the centrepiece. These architectural features still show visible doorbell holes and apartment numbers from the building's residential past, with discovered paddle steamer advertisements from Leith to London.
The flexible layout will accommodate various occasions with a front lounge area, high stools and poseur tables for socialising, plus recessed spaces for private parties. The back section can transform into a small late-night dance floor.
Community focus with broader appeal
New menus will feature classic cocktails alongside hand-stretched pizzas with fresh toppings and sharing platters including haggis bon bons, nachos and loaded wedges. The venue will maintain its role as a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community while broadening its appeal.
Mitch Stark reflected on their journey: "We owned a pub outside Edinburgh at the time but had been regulars of CC Blooms for years and like many others we loved it. We never imagined one day it would be ours."
Adapting to changing trends
The duo emphasised their role as custodians of the Edinburgh institution. "We see ourselves as custodians and try to move it with the times to keep it relevant and safeguard its future," Stark explained. "There's now increasing demand for casual dining and socialising during the day and earlier in the evenings."
The downstairs bar and nightclub Lab will remain open throughout the renovation to minimise customer inconvenience. Matt Dyson from Star Pubs praised the licensees' commitment: "They put their heart and soul into CC Blooms and do everything to a high standard from the entertainment to the service."
Sources used: "PA Media", "Scotsman", "Edinburgh Live" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
