If you've wandered down Leith Walk of late, you might have noticed a new addition at the corner of Springfield Street where the Mouse Trap used to be.
Though the venue has changed, Edinburgh's bargoers might recognise the new name and signage as the spot is set to become the city's second Dog House, a bar that aims to be inclusive and welcoming to all who pass through its doors.
Much like the original bar on Clerk Street, which took over from the old McSorley's in 2015, owner Tony Pert was happy to explain that the new bar (Dog House Leith) will take on the ethos of the original, which is known for being LGBTQ+ friendly and a welcoming space for all.
"The original Doghouse opened eight years ago, we originally took on that site when it was the old McSorleys, which was a live music bar and it didn't do too well," explained Tony. "We advertised for a new manager and a woman called Ashley came along. She had a bulldog called Hero and was the one who came up with the idea of turning it into the Dog House and making it more of a creative and quirky bar, which we loved."
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Explaining that over the years, the creative staff at the Orginal Doghouse had left their imprint on the place, meaning that it is constantly evolving with the arty types behind the bar regularly adding new bits and bobs to the place, something that he hopes to replicate with the Leith Walk spot.
He added: "The bar we had before that was the Mousetrap was originally based on, and was very similar to the Dog House, but with a few extras due to being a bit bigger, with elements like the games room and the crank shot. It was open and arty and everyone was welcome.
"However, in the last year or so with the tram works the bar itself kind of died off and we started thinking of ways we could revitalise it. That's when it hit us, we began thinking, 'Why don't we just make it another Dog House?'.
"Leith Walk itself is very creative and very arty now, and that fits the Doghouse brand so well."
The transformation is now well underway, with the bar sporting the baby blue and pink colours of the original, which Tony said people are loving, while original artist Will McEvoy was drafted in to create the murals and artworks of Hero, while former manager from the original bar Linda Stillie transforms the interior, training the staff and bringing the Dog House ethos.
Doing the changeover as they go, Tony revealed that old favourites like the Jungle Nook (painted by hand by a friend of the bar), the games room and of course the Crank shot wheel will be staying.
"The Crank wheel is essentially shot roulette," explained the experienced bar owner. "Will the artist created it. You pay £3.50 the staff spin the wheel, there are ten different shots on the wheel and what it lands on, you get, it's a great feature of the bar, people hear it and they want to try it."
And for Tony, connecting with the local community and creating a safe space for people to enjoy a drink was paramount.
He added: "We want to bring back the LGBTQ+ friendly aspect, that was something the Mousetrap had lost. We want to make the place as welcoming as possible. It doesn't matter if you're coming by yourself, on a date or with your friends everyone feels welcome and everyone feels like they are having a good time.
"It's a friendly safe place for everyone. Weird and wonderful, our slogan is 'Where the misfits fit'."
Though there is no kitchen (so they can't bring those lovely vegan Mexican street food dishes from the award-winning vegan Mexican Street Food pop up Antojitos) but they have brought their hugely popular student discount deals, cocktail menus and of course, those hilariously named shots the original is famous for.
Open Wednesday to Sunday, (Wed, Thurs and Sunday 4-12, Friday 2-12, Saturday 2 until 1 am) Tony added that they will have live bands and DJs at the weekend, while in future they hope to add things like Drag acts and Quizzes.
And one other element that Tony describes as a "bit of fun" is the neon glowing 'Nae Bams' sign in the window.
"Everyone loves it, people have been popping outside to take their picture with it and it's been catching the eyes of people passing by too. We aim to be a weird and wonderful bar that everyone will love with lots of Instagrammable moments and spots."
You can find out more and follow their journey on their Instagram.
