The Red Gown Opens Its Doors Friday 4 September 2026
Our brand new pub, The Red Gown will officially open on Friday 4 September 2026 from 8am, marking an exciting new chapter for student life and the wider St Andrews community.
During term time, the pub will be open from 8am until 3am on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and from 8am until 1am on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Food will be served throughout the day, every day, from 8am until 11pm, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-evening dining options.
Members of the public are welcome in the pub throughout the week with the only restriction on event nights where entry is permitted until 11pm Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Those wishing to remain after midnight on event nights must be signed in by a student. During Freshers' Week (5 to 13 September), this arrangement will apply every day of the week.
The Red Gown is the result of a new partnership between the Students' Association and JD Wetherspoon, the first of its type in Scotland, creating a welcoming venue for students, University staff, residents and visitors alike. Guests will be able to enjoy Wetherspoon's full all-day menu, mobile app ordering and table service, alongside a wide range of competitively priced food and drink options designed to deliver excellent value.
The partnership brings significant investment to the pub, helping to create local jobs and support the economy in St Andrews and across Fife. The venue will continue to play an important role as one of the largest student employers in the town, while creating additional opportunities for employment, training and development.
Over the summer, the venue has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment and rebrand, transforming the ground-floor pub space with new flooring, lighting, artwork, fixtures and fittings.
The redevelopment also includes a redesigned bar layout and state-of-the-art drinks dispense system, allowing for an expanded drinks offering, alongside a brand-new kitchen capable of serving Wetherspoon's full menu throughout the day.
A bespoke carpet design has been created especially for the venue, drawing inspiration from the University of St Andrews shield. The design incorporates crescent moons, representing Peter de Luna, later Pope Benedict XIII, who issued the university's founding papal bulls in 1413, alongside open book motifs symbolising learning and academic achievement.
While benefiting from Wetherspoon's proven and successful operating model, The Red Gown will continue to be owned and operated by the Students' Association. Staff will remain employed and managed by the Union, ensuring the venue retains its unique identity while continuing to provide valuable employment opportunities for students.
Robert "RoMo" Moran, President of Student Opportunities at the University of St Andrews Students' Association, said:
"Our partnership with Wetherspoon is an exciting step forward for students, bringing greater choice, increased employment opportunities and excellent-value food and drink to the heart of St Andrews.This investment allows us to create a vibrant, welcoming space that supports student life while also strengthening our connection with the wider community. The Red Gown will be a place where students, staff, residents and visitors can come together and enjoy a fantastic social experience.We're particularly proud that students helped choose the pub's name, reflecting our commitment to creating a venue that is truly student-led, inclusive and shaped by the people who use it."
John Hutson, Chief Executive of Wetherspoon, said:
"We are delighted to be partnering with the University of St Andrews Students' Association to open The Red Gown. We believe it will become a fantastic social hub for students while also providing a welcoming venue for staff, local residents and visitors to the town. We look forward to bringing a wide range of quality food and drink at competitive prices to this unique location."