Assembly Rooms

First opening its doors in 1787, and located in the heart of the New Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Assembly Rooms were and continue to be a focal point for cultural, social and commercial life in Edinburgh.

Purpose built to accommodate social gatherings and events, the Assembly Rooms have a long and fascinating history.  The building was a recruiting office in the Great War and Second World War, it played host to great literary names including Sir Walter Scott, Charles Dickens and William Thackeray. The venue has continued to host a diverse range of social events this has included the Festival Club in the 1950's, performances by Duran Duran and Simply Red in the 1980's, to being a location for a Bollywood film in 2010.

The Assembly Rooms is now closed for an 18 month restoration project.  The A-listed building will reopen in summer 2012, fully restored to its original glory, with splendid plasterwork and elegant chandeliers amongst its period features while integrating contemporary infrastructure throughout.

Post restoration the Assembly Rooms will offer four opulent rooms (Music Hall, Ballroom, East and West Drawing Rooms) on the first floor.  These rooms provide the perfect setting for a variety of events from intimate gatherings, large formal receptions, conferences, meetings, exhibitions and dinner dances to weddings and civil ceremonies.

The entrance and ground floor of the Assembly Rooms will offer clients a spacious contemporary foyer with an added bonus of a 'destination restaurant' on site.  The first floor rooms can be accessed by one of the original grand staircases or a newly installed large public lift.

Whatever the event, the Assembly Rooms are sure to leave a lasting impression on all who attend the event. 

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