FIRST LOOK: Withington’s Historic Old Bank Reopens as a Fine Dining Community Hub

The team behind Ancoats’ Edinburgh Castle have restored the archaic building to its former grand aesthetic, complete with a diverse food and drink offering.

By Emma Davidson | Last updated 16 August 2022

Share this story


Opening on Friday 12th August, Libertine is an all-day eatery with a community focus – a place where you can eat, drink, soak up the atmosphere and immerse yourself in good music.

The venue will incorporate a restaurant, bar and music space that shifts seasonally, while also celebrating contemporary, ingredient-focused cooking with an underlying global accent. 

As such, the food concept is varied with something for everyone in mind. From small plates to brunch and homely Sunday roasts, there’ll also be a focus on live-fire cooking, using charcoal and wood to showcase the very best creative dishes where vegetables take the leading role.

For drinks there will be a big focus on beer, with 20 keg lines and 4 cask lines on offer. The Libertine cocktail list will include classic drinks alongside some delicious signature offerings created by the team.

The Old Bank is a grand stone building that is adorned with intricate decoration, including a finely carved frieze and balustrade parapet wall at roof level. Throughout the sympathetic approach to the build, a number of beautiful original features have been unearthed and lovingly restored, so that they now play among the wooden tables and rustic décor.

The team behind Libertine know what an important monument the site is, and hope that the venue will be a welcome addition for the community – a place that the Withington residents will consider a ‘home from home’.

Nick Muir, director of Libertine, said: “Myself, Hayley and the team hope to be a welcome addition to Withington. Libertine is a prominent building in the village, much-loved by the locals. 

“With considerate attention to detail, we hope to have done justice to this beautiful building. In creating a warm and welcoming space for all to enjoy, we will bring both quality and comfort, with a stylish twist on a traditional setting and exceptional standards. We are thrilled to be a part of this neighbourhood and look forward to opening our doors in August.”

Once fully open, Libertine will be open to the public 12pm – 11pm daily.

……………………….

Book a Table