Cabaret Voltaire

Cabaret Voltaire, a cornerstone of Edinburgh’s vibrant underground music scene, has long been a go-to venue for fans of live music, electronic beats, and creative performances. Nestled in the heart of the Old Town, the venue’ charm comes from its dual identity as both a historic space and a cutting edge cultural hotspot.

During my time working as a web designer for The Scotsman Group, I took on the challenge of redesigning the Cabaret Voltaire website. The previous site, didn’t capture the venue's raw energy or reflect the evolution of its brand. With its growing audience and diverse range of events, Cabaret Voltaire needed a website that was engaging, and aligned with the venue’s identity.

The design focuses on simplicity and usability, with bold fonts, strong visuals, and minimal clutter. This approach mirrors the raw, industrial feel of the venue itself, while also providing clear access to key sections like event listings and drink menus. The backend is set up for easy content management, allowing the venue’s team to update events and information without technical barriers.

I opted for large, sans-serif fonts in prominent sections like the homepage header, capturing the attention of visitors immediately and creating a sense of impact. The contrast between bold type and white space keeps the layout uncluttered and visually clear.

In terms of design elements, I kept the layout minimalist yet effective. Black and white backgrounds highlight important content, such as event dates and calls to action, while accent colors are used sparingly for key details like buttons or event highlights. This combination of typography and color choices gives the site a modern, industrial feel that aligns with the venue’s brand, without being visually overwhelming.

For the imagery, I focused on capturing the essence of memories created within this historic live music venue. The images are presented as if they were photographs, slightly tilted and "taped" to a wall using transparent tape elements. This adds a personal, nostalgic touch, giving the site a sense of lived experience and history. Additionally, I incorporated a few hand-drawn line illustrations throughout the design, which help convey the unique character of Cabaret Voltaire.

Overall, the design is functional and aesthetic—bold enough to represent Cabaret Voltaire’s energy while providing a seamless experience for both users and the venue’s team.