Bar team 'angry' as iconic Edinburgh music venue forced to close doors after over 35 years in business

Legends, located on Cowgate, has been a classic and alternative rock venue for over 35 years.

In a post to social media, the bar said that for a while they had been “careful” about what they can say and have kept things quiet, however they are “done staying silent”.

It has now been confirmed that the venue could close as early as next week.

The Legends team went on to say that the venue - which was formerly known as Opium - has always been a community as well as a family.

Their post read: “For 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.

“It is somewhere anyone and everyone could come and feel safe, accepted, and understood.”

However, now, Legends say they are “heartbroken” and “angry” after they have been told “there is no place” for the venue on Cowgate.

“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 added.

After the bar asked if they were able to have a last night, they were told no. However, the Legends team have said they will be making this happen themselves.

On Friday, March 13, the bar are asking everyone who has ever played, worked, drank, danced, found friends, or found themselves there to all turn up and tell their stories in an effort to prove that the community is real while “refusing for the bar to disappear quietly”.

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They added: “The thing you need to know is that Legends could potentially close as early as next week with no notice. We can't stop this anymore.

“This will not officially be our final day - we will still have our gigs and clubs the rest of the weekend but we need this one to be loud.

“Being honest, this could potentially be our final weekend with the lack of information we have been given we still cannot confirm when we will actually close down.

“This scene is built by the people in it, and right now Legends needs you. Thanks for everything. Legends team x”