GRV: A Gutsy Revolution

On a Friday night, the meek fluorescent glow of GRV’s sign shines from the corner of a darkened alley on Guthrie Street, already distinguishing it from its Cowgate neighbours. Formerly a cocktail bar turned festival venue, GRV’s structure and décor reflect its past lives, while providing it with the perfect motley backdrop for its current function as one of the most diverse new clubs in Edinburgh.

The current GRV has been operating under new management for the past thirteen months. Relics from its days as the Left Bank can be found in the exposed brick bar, which serves drinks running slightly more than your average student club fare with standard cocktails starting at £3.

The GRV’s third floor viewing room complete with tiered seats is another remnant of its prior life. The room can be rented out and is occasionally opened up for large club nights; currently the room is home to the Edinburgh Zombie Club’s weekly Thursday night movie night.

Along with Zombie Movie Night, GRV hosts a variety of weekly events designed to appeal to Edinburgh’s diverse patrons. For Latin lovers, Wednesday nights feature Spanish pop music and the intriguing Calimocho, a cocktail of red wine and coke, at the bar. On Fridays, card sharks can try their hand at the free poker tournament held in GRV’s pop-chic second floor. From 17th November, Edinburgh student radio station Fresh Air will play from GRV on Thursdays offering an indie alternative to the usual surrounding club scene. GRV also features various local artists on a nightly basis, as well as larger acts like last week’s stellar performance by DJ Sneak.

The GRV is determined to appeal to a wide variety of musical scenes, and tries to cater for all Edinburgh nightlife lovers, offering everything from heavy metal to house. Those in search of a cheesy pop dance party should look elsewhere; the GRV is not your average Cowgate haunt. The music selection and crowd certainly reflect this.

In general, the clientele are older than the average student clubber. Perhaps this is due to the cover charge ranging from £2-£12. This can be a welcome respite from the mass of drunken students traipsing the Cowgate below. Compared to others, GRV is blissfully lacking the usual unwanted male attention and the perhaps overly-indulgent revellers.

For a distinct club night worth remembering or a laidback peep into some of Edinburgh’s own burgeoning artists, GRV is a hidden gem that is definitely worth seeking out.