MSPs have banned pictures of their new £125,000 bar at Holyrood.

The bar – called the Queensberry House Lounge – cost taxpayers £75,000 to build with the rest paid for by catering contractors Sodexo. But parliament bosses are refusing to let taxpayers see what they have helped pay for because of concerns over "privacy".

The move has even angered some MSPs, who claim the public should be allowed to see the bar.

The new bar has been created because parliament chiefs said they could not justify the £50,000 cost of keeping the existing restaurant in the £414 million building open at night.

The Queensberry House Lounge will serve between 4pm and 10pm on weekdays, but critics have long argued that Holyrood politicians should use local bars.

The Lounge will only be open to MSPs, other parliament passholders and invited guests, and prices will reflect local rates.

But a parliament spokeswoman said photographs were not allowed in advance of the bar opening as it would disrupt preparations, and pictures will not be allowed once it opens to protect members' privacy.

She said: "Our focus remains on providing a service to those using the lounge – and their expectations of privacy."

Labour Lothians MSP Kezia Dugdale said: "If the existing bar in the Parliament cannot sustain itself, it should close and we should all be encouraged to use bars in the local area.

"I'm sure they could do with some support from politicians.

"The public is entitled to see anything and everything that goes on in the Parliament. Transparency is one of its founding principles.