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  "description": "'End of an era' as local music institution plans to throw last-minute closing party on Friday 13 March ahead of expected takeover",
  "path": "/breaking-news-staff-heartbroken-as-cowgate-rock-bar-legends-formerly-opium-to-close-next-week/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-10T18:14:31.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.edinburghminute.com",
  "tags": [
    "Subscribe for free or upgrade here",
    "inviting people to share their memories of the bar",
    "Legends Facebook page here",
    "@edinburghmusicnews on Instagram"
  ],
  "textContent": "Subscribe for free or upgrade here\n\nAfter more than 35 years in business, a staple of Edinburgh's rock music scene will host a last-minute 'farewell' party on Friday.\n\nStaff at **_Legends_** bar, formerly known as Opium, say they are 'heartbroken' after learning about a takeover of the venue, saying it '**_could potentially close as early as next week with no notice_** '.\n\nThe bar's owner Old Town Pub Co / Bruce Taverns and potential new owner, Encore Bars, were all contacted by the _Minute_ last month and again this week, but as yet no replies have been received. The online version of this piece will be updated with any statement they wish to make.\n\nEncore Bars owns a handful of Edinburgh bars including _Freddy’s_ , _Westside Rodeo_ and branches of _The Boston Bar_ on Hanover Street and Niddry Street, which replaced the former _Globe Bar_ last month.\n\nStaff at Legends shared this message today:\n\n> \"For a while now, we’ve had to be careful about what we say and how we say it. We’ve kept things quiet and tried to handle things the right way. But we’re done staying silent.\n\n> \"Legends / Opium isn't just a venue- it's our community, it's our family. 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.\n\n> \"It is somewhere anyone and everyone could come and feel safe, accepted, and understood.\n\n> \"Now we are being told there is no place for it here.\n\n> \"We are angry. We are heartbroken. 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.\n\n> \"We asked if we would be able to have a last night. We were told no. So we will make it happen ourselves and Friday 13th is a fitting date. We understand that this is last minute for a lot of you. It has taken us a moment to set things up behind the scenes. 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. But we can make sure everyone knows how YOU feel.\n\n> \"This is a call to everyone who has ever played here, worked here, drank here, danced here, found friends here, or found themselves here. Come down. Tell your stories. Make some noise. Celebrate the community that made this place what it is.\n\n> \"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. We need the numbers. We need to prove that this community is real, it is powerful, and it refuses to disappear quietly. 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.\n\n> \"This scene is built by the people in it, and right now Legends needs you. Thanks for everything. Legends team x\"\n\n* * *\n\nMeantime, the **_Edinburgh Music News_** account on Instagram is inviting people to share their memories of the bar + there is a thread on the Legends Facebook page here.\n\n@edinburghmusicnews on Instagram.\n\nSubscribe for free or upgrade here",
  "title": "Breaking news: staff 'heartbroken' as Cowgate rock bar Legends (formerly Opium) to 'close next week'",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-10T18:14:32.168Z"
}