The Liquid Room

Located at 9c Victoria Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town, The Liquid Room combines live performances with nightclub events. John “Mick” McWilliams turned the former Music Box into the venue in 1997; the Music Box had begun operating in the mid-1980s. In 2008, a fire in the restaurant above damaged the venue and led to an 18-month closure. It reopened in 2010 following refurbishment and installation of a new light-and-sound system.

The club is set below Victoria Street in a deep, vaulted space. Its layout includes a main stage on two levels, a mezzanine overlooking the stage and a beer garden; capacity is about 600. Programming has brought together touring bands, local performers, DJs and electronic music nights. In 2014, live shows and club events each made up roughly half of the programme. Contrabass Events has run events there, and Progression held a seven-year residency. Suspension, a house-focused night, began in 2011.

Travis, Coldplay, Moby and Sister Sledge are among the acts that have played the venue. Janverse and Lara Sinclair have also performed there. Amy Black and Greg McWilliams, children of John “Mick” McWilliams, have worked as directors for live events and club nights, respectively.