IT started out as a ballroom for dancing after the First World War ended in 1918, transformed into a bustling casino in later life, and is today considered one of the most popular clubbing venues in Scotland.
We're talking, of course, about 14 Pi
cardy Place – the home of 'new' club, Luna.
Known as Club Ego for the past ten years, the grand, Georgian building, situated at the top of cosmopolitan Broughton Street, has been given a new name and a fresh lick of paint, as manager, David Ross, aims to inject new life into the popular venue, which launches next Thursday.
"I am beginning to feel like a full-time labourer," complains Ross, who is busy helping renovate the famous ballroom in time for the official launch.
"We closed the doors as Club Ego on Monday June 27, and we've been working hard for three weeks solid since in order to get the place ready in time for Thursday's launch," he says.
"We had been thinking of changing the name and some of the interior features for quite a few months now – we didn't want the place to stagnate any further."
A little rundown, perhaps. Nevertheless, as anyone who has ever seen the interior of the Picardy Place venue would surely attest, the regal, ornate ballroom still retains some of its old-fashioned splendour.
Less cavernous, downstairs is famous for its vast fish tank -regular denizens will be pleased to know that the fish tank is not being removed or replaced - and hedonistic, vibrant atmosphere that has entranced clubbers over the years.
That said, Ross admits the venue was still in much need of a major re-vamp.
"The place needed a face-lift to be honest, there's no doubt about that," says the 26-year-old.
"It was high time we got new toilets in, too, and gave the place a lick of paint. Structurally, though, there's been no change at all – it's still the same as Ego was. But we have added new lights, including UV lighting and projectors for upstairs. So basically it looks a lot nicer inside now.
"Cleaner, tidier, a new look, yet not necessarily like the sort of thing you might find on George Street. There's a lot more light in the place, too, that's for sure."
Showcasing some of the best in nightclubs and live music - Vegas, the 'sleazy listening' club and long-time resident at Club Ego, was voted Best Club Night in Scotland - along with providing space for exhibitions, dance classes and corporate events, the Luna Lounge downstairs will provide clients with an out- of-this-world area to relax and unwind, complete with access to the Luna Lounge garden.
Club nights at Luna will be diverse, too, ranging from the institution that is Vibe - Edinburgh's best loved gay-friendly night - to the riotous Nuklearpuppy, and the bass-fuelled Volume.
And then there are the dance classes, which are held during the day, evening and weekend, that include ballroom and burlesque provided by professional dance teachers and Polestars – the largest alternative fitness school in the world.
"Again, apart from the look of the place, the clientele, clubs and music is still going to be the same as it was during Club Ego," maintains Ross, who has been manager at the venue since last year.
"We still have regular pole-dancing nights, which are very popular with hen parties, too. There's can-can, exhibition space and all that, as well. The place is exactly the same on the outset. It simply just looks different inside, and has a different name."
Which begs the question, What does the name Luna mean exactly?
"You know, I am not one hundred percent sure to be honest,' says Ross. "I think Luna's the name of the Greek Goddess of the Night (nearly right, she's the Roman moon goddess - ed].
"No matter, what we were looking for really, though, was just a name that simply rolls off the tongue. It is a good name."
As the old saying goes, it looks like a case of one door closing, another one opening, as far as 14 Picardy Place is concerned.
However, whether you like ballroom dancing, throwing down some fancy moves at the front of a sweaty dance floor or just going out for a few quiet drinks, Luna promises to cater for all your needs in indulgent, stunning surroundings.
Come and visit the original home of dancing and see for yourself. You'd be a lunatic not to.
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Luna Launch, Picardy Place, Thursday, 10pm-3am, free with invite, 0131–478 7434The full article contains 778 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
