The Bass & Barrel opens in North Berwick after a seven-figure transformation of the Nether Abbey Hotel

North Berwick has a new place to eat, drink and stay. The Bass & Barrel opened on Dirleton Avenue in October following a seven-figure, nine-month transformation of the former Nether Abbey Hotel by hospitality operator Buzzworks.

The aim, according to the team, is to put hospitality first and offer a classic pub welcome to locals and visitors alike. Guests staying in the hotel's 12 boutique bedrooms can check in informally at the bar, setting a relaxed tone.

To the left of the entrance is a 64-seat pub designed with the feel of a traditional old man's pub, with a mix of booths and stools, televisions for live sport and a projector for big occasions such as the Six Nations. Dogs are welcome in the pub, and some rooms are pet-friendly. To the right, an open pass leads into the restaurant and sunroom, which seat around 100 diners.

The menu puts Scottish produce at the centre, with fresh seafood and prime Scotch steaks at its heart alongside pub classics. Buzzworks is working with suppliers including Edgefield Craft Butchers, whose owner is from North Berwick, and the kitchen serves 28-day dry-aged meat and locally sourced seafood, with local lobster expected as the menu changes with the seasons. Highlights include lamb shepherd's pie, grilled Scottish langoustines, fish and chips and a four-person sharing Sunday roast.

The venue is open seven days a week from early until late, serving everything from morning coffee and breakfast to lunches, dinners and drinks. There is a children's menu, and the bar pours draught beers including cask ales from Stewart Brewing, alongside wines, spirits and cocktails. Whisky tasting nights are planned as part of its entertainment programme.

David Bell, director of food at Buzzworks, said the team wanted a menu that suited the coastal setting and gave the community plenty of reasons to return time and again.

For walkers and day trippers heading for the beaches and the Bass Rock, it adds another option for a meal or a night by the sea.

Rooms and tables can be booked through The Bass & Barrel and the Buzzworks website.