The former Sofi’s Bar in Leith has a new owner and name, Three Marys. Anna and Mike Christopherson of Boda Swedish Bars and Restaurant Group sold the Star Pubs & Bars lease to Calum Mackay, leaseholder of Edinburgh’s Malt and Hops, and Old Chain Pier, and business partner and hospitality newcomer Dale MacPhee back in December. They’ve since transformed it into a neighbourhood cocktail bar celebrating Mary Magdalene, Mary Queen of Scots, and Mary of Guise.
Calum told DRAM, “It was a great spot when I first moved to the area in the 90s but I wasn’t in the pub game at that time so I snapped it up when it became available. It also complements my other two units perfectly. The name comes from Leith being known as French Leith and Mary of Guise had her court at the rear of the pub and Queen of Scots spent some time in the area and Mary Magdalene appearing on the Leith perseverance motto – that’s the rumour anyway.
“We ripped the whole place out and even though it held a place in people’s hearts it was rickety but we kept the same lines and opened it up a bit more, and levelled things off and there are lots of nooks and crannies now. Its colour pallet is dark blue, amber with floral explosions and there are pinks in there too. Soft velour upholstery with amber and lilac coloured banquettes are warm contrasts to the dark blue walls and ceilings”