Edinburgh’s largest Irish pub is set for a makeover, with a new ball pit bar.
A planning application to Edinburgh Council shows that McSorley’s Irish Bar on Forrest Road is now owned by Ballie Ballerson, who have a famous ball pit cocktail bar in Shoreditch, London.
The application shows that McSorley’s are planning a huge redevelopment, with new bars and a cloak room and the restoration of the old first floor on the premises.
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A previous application for the renovation was given listed building consent in 2020, just before the pandemic, but the boozer has put in a revised application.
The plans show that the first floor is where McSorley’s plan to have their ball pit, with special mirrored walls.
A statement says: “A ball pit area will be created with a new chute leading down to the ground floor area.
“Within the ball pit area it is proposed to strap and line the walls to accept a mirror finish. It is also proposed to hang a lowered ceiling below the line of the existing cornices and downstands to accept a mirror finish.”
Ballie Ballerson are on the cusp on a massive expansion and explain how they got started on their website.
They say: “Ballie began as a ‘one month only’ pop up in Dalston in November 2016, the inspiration of our founder, Wenny.
“The blend of cool cocktails and childhood nostalgia was such a hit that we extended our residency until the summer of 2017.
“National press and media outlets acclaimed us as one of the best places to go in London and over 150,000 happy nostalgia-seekers sampled our ball pits and signature drinks menu.
“A month after that, our new permanent venue opened in Shoreditch. Ten times bigger and filled with just over a million balls, once again Ballie Ballerson was on everybody’s must do list.
“Since then, a ridiculous 25,000 ballers a month have come to celebrate and trust us when we say, you’ll be finding our balls in new neighbourhoods soon.”
The City of Edinburgh Council granted permission for the redevelopment works on March 17, and they are expected to begin works soon.
The pub is currently advertised as being temporarily closed.
