Uncle Tiger, a new late-night venue from Ôir Group – the team behind Lucky Yu, Bodega and The Captain Darling – is set to open later this month at 3 Bristo Place in Edinburgh. The concept blends retro Asian canteen styling with supper club energy, offering rotating menus, cocktails and a soundtrack to match.
Each six-week run will spotlight a different Asian food culture, giving the kitchen freedom to evolve while keeping the experience fresh for returning guests.
Leading the launch is Edinburgh chef Cameron Laidlaw – best known for award-winning street food venture Junk, which picked up Scottish, British and European Street Food titles. With more than 20 years’ experience spanning fine dining and street-led formats, Laidlaw has been brought in to develop the menus and shape the food offer from the ground up.
The opening menu, Hong Kong Nights, is influenced by the city’s street food scene, with flavour-led dishes designed for sharing. A bao bun station at the front of the venue will also operate daily, serving handmade bao to eat in or take away – with diners able to watch the buns being shaped and steamed to order.
“From Hong Kong to Japan and Singapore, expect punchy dishes that bring out the best in every ingredient, with a real focus on flavour and texture — sweet, salty, sour, soft and crunchy,” said Laidlaw.
“We really believe food is about bringing people together, so the menus are designed for sharing, alongside inventive cocktails and a soundtrack that keeps the energy up.”
A converted shipping container at the rear has been fitted out as a private dining room for up to 14 guests. Around 30 new jobs are expected to be created as part of the launch.
Ôir Group director John Howard added, “When we saw the site, we knew that we needed to look at a different format to what we have done elsewhere and treating it more like an event space gives us enormous creative flexibility. It allows us to keep things fresh and exciting, giving guests a reason to return for something new every time.”
Uncle Tiger will open Wednesday to Saturday, 5pm to 10pm, with the official opening date to be announced soon. Around 30 new jobs are expected to be created as part of the launch.
Main Picture: L-R Edinburgh chef, Cameron Laidlaw & John Howard, owner and director of Òir Group