Under the Influence

My final post on this blog aims to summarise the journey I have taken to try out various different bars and pubs throughout Glasgow. And what a journey it has been! As you might imagine, I have thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in this new role as bar reviewer, it has been great fun and really opened up my eyes to what the city has to offer in terms of new, old, and quirky drinking establishments. Let’s take a quick look back at each of the bars I have visited over the last few weeks. First up was The Absent Ear, a brand-new speakeasy style bar in the Merchant City. We had an incredible time not only enjoying the innovative cocktails that they served here, but also actually undergoing the adventure of finding our way into the bar. The managers have put a lot of effort into creating a really unique experience that makes for an extremely fun night out! Next, we opted for somewhere a little closer to home – just around the corner in fact! The west end’s bar and restaurant, The 78, delig...

Recently the University of Strathclyde campus has undergone a transformation, using £60 million to develop and build a brand new 'Learning and Teaching Building', which also houses the new students' union. As it only opened in September 2021, I thought it would be interesting to go and review it. I won't lie, I did head there with a slight feeling trepidation because I think that the old union was great and I wasn't sure how I'd feel about such a new and different building style. I was pleasantly surprised! The new union is bright and airy, utilising a modern open plan design to create a roomy and inviting space. After entering the building, a short flight of stairs, or lift, will take you up to the bar area, aptly named 'The Terrace'. The bar itself sits within a room through which large open doorways grant you access. The 'outside area' is furnished with artificial grass, deckchairs and picnic tables, creating a fun, summery vibe. This is furth...

Feasgar math! The success of our venture into the local bar last week brought about a desire to experience more of what our local area had to offer in terms of pubs and bars. Luckily, living on Argyle Street in Glasgow’s west end means that there are innumerable drinking establishments within easy walking distance of our front door. Unsurprisingly, it was easy enough to convince the gang once more to join me in a little jaunt down the road to The Park Bar. I had selected this destination after discovering a very interesting article about it on Glasgow Live. The article describes how the bar, after opening in 1895, quickly became a popular haven for those that speak Scotland’s ancient native tongue – Gaelic. This west end legacy of a pub really reflects its own history, with musical relics such as bagpipes and accordions adorning the walls. Small tables offer the opportunity for a nice sit-down drink with friends from which you can enjoy the lively and friendly atmosphere that the bar p...

  With our bank accounts slightly crippled from the other night’s cocktail extravaganza, the gang and I fancied something a little more low-key and chilled. We opted for a trip around the corner to the local bar, The 78. This cosy rustic bar is also home to a restaurant serving modern vegetarian takes on classic pub food. However, as you may have guessed, we did not attend The 78 for a nice meal, and instead settled in for an evening of casual drinking and chatting with friends. We were seated in the back corner of the room nearby a fireplace at a lovely wood table adorned with a small vase of flowers. Many dim lightbulbs in conjunction with beautifully strung fairy lights offered us gentle and cosy lighting as we got comfortable at the table with our range of differing drinks. Some enjoyed pints of lagers, whilst I opted for a gin and tonic which was served plainly in a glass with ice and lime. These simple and familiar drinks were at great contrast to the slightly confusing and e...

A Vincent Van-Gough inspired cocktail bar, the Absent Ear has been designed as a speakeasy establishment, meaning its location is only revealed upon booking. Enthralled by the online hype over this new bar, I gathered my group of only too willing sidekicks and off we went to Merchant City. Unsure of whether we had arrived at the correct location, we ventured down the stairs of a hidden entrance and reached a dimly lit antechamber with a Vincent Van-Gough portrait on one side and an imposing heavy wooden door adjacent to it. Tentatively pressing a bell on the portrait’s ear caused a small hatch to be slid open, forcibly breaking the eerie silence that ensued. The rough unfriendly silhouette of a man’s face was revealed, and he gruffly asked what we wanted. Quickly exchanging looks of nervous excitement, we muttered the code ‘we are here to see Madam Rachel’ to which the man, without saying a word, slammed the hatch closed again. Pondering whether we had correctly answered his question, ...