Unit 25
The Quadrant Centre
Coatbridge
Lanarkshire
01236 440788
To find The Edge in Coatbridge, you'd better phone a friend who can smell a pint of lager at a hundred paces because, from the street, this pub- stroke-club doesn't sound very happening.
The Edge's outer air of desolation is deceptive, and part of a cunning plan to introduce cutting edge to Coatbridge.
The place is sound-proofed, with not so much as a piano stab escaping to passing ears. That's just one of the innovations introduced to the long- neglected natives, with the opening of a stylish new bar concept than aims to please but not to patronise those party people who don't live in the big city.
Coatbridge has a reputation for throwing itself wholeheartedly into its weekend celebrations, but cocktails and the murmur of gentle conversation has never featured much.
That doesn't mean many locals wouldn't prefer a bit of glamour on their doorstep.
Going where others might hesitate to tread, the G1 Group, owners of Glasgow's chic Corinthian and Arta, have provided a metropolitan- grade backdrop for the locals, and let them shake off the unsavoury reputation of their preferred leisure activities themselves.
Open in the evenings until late, louts are out, bawheids are barred and eejits will be ejected. This is strictly for the majority, and The Edge would be a worthy backdrop to that 007 sophisticate himself, with dark blue leather seating, lush sofas, dark wood tables and a marble tiled floor.
The traditional gantry has been replaced by a series of chrome strip light panels, which constantly change shade, and here the usual pub light shades look more likely to be seen in a gallery of modern art.
But there's no supercool code of conduct. Coatbridge is not Kelvinside, and has a lot more fun that way. Cocktails are provided, as are abundant drink promos, but less than gentle karaoke rebounds off the chic leather sofas on Mondays and Wednesdays, and a comedy musical quiz jazzes up Sunday nights. With live music every Tuesday, and chart, pop and pub classics on Thursdays, the weekends move into proper club mode, courtesy of guest DJs like Kevin McFarlane and Scott MacKay, and their small dancefloor at the end of the bar.
The size of the dancefloor is no bar to those who want to dance. Long bar tables are multipurpose. As the night hots up, drinks are cleared, seats removed and punters encouraged to use the extra bit of space to strut their stuff.
And a cracking good time is had by all who have a head for heights, without cracking the furniture.
Open: Mon, Tue, 7pm -1am; Wed - Sun, 7pm - 3am
Drinks: Pint of lager, £2; spirit and mixer, £1.90
Details
01236 440788
Open in the evenings until late, louts are out, bawheids are barred and eejits will be ejected. This is strictly for the majority, and The Edge would be a worthy backdrop to that 007 sophisticate himself, with dark blue leather seating, lush sofas, dark wood tables and a marble tiled floor.
The traditional gantry has been replaced by a series of chrome strip light panels, which constantly change shade, and here the usual pub light shades look more likely to be seen in a gallery of modern art.
But there's no supercool code of conduct. Coatbridge is not Kelvinside, and has a lot more fun that way. Cocktails are provided, as are abundant drink promos, but less than gentle karaoke rebounds off the chic leather sofas on Mondays and Wednesdays, and a comedy musical quiz jazzes up Sunday nights. With live music every Tuesday, and chart, pop and pub classics on Thursdays, the weekends move into proper club mode, courtesy of guest DJs like Kevin McFarlane and Scott MacKay, and their small dancefloor at the end of the bar.
The size of the dancefloor is no bar to those who want to dance. Long bar tables are multipurpose. As the night hots up, drinks are cleared, seats removed and punters encouraged to use the extra bit of space to strut their stuff.
And a cracking good time is had by all who have a head for heights, without cracking the furniture.
Open: Mon, Tue, 7pm -1am; Wed - Sun, 7pm - 3am
