The 78

 

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 exuberant beverages we had been offered during our cocktail evening, and, in the nicest way possible, gave us very little to talk about as we enjoyed our view of the bar and its interior. Plants were plentiful and added a real homely feel to the atmosphere of the room, complimented by the simple furniture and the occasional candle sitting on shelves around the walls.

Before long, we spotted a bookcase stacked with a range of board games and after a moment’s discussion we settled upon Connect 4 as our preliminary challenge. After a few rounds of dropping counters into slots and a couple more drinks ordered, everyone was sufficiently in the mood for a battle of the brains (albeit the slightly inebriated brains) and so we replaced Connect 4 and opted for something with a little more excitement. Scrabble and Chess were both selected and we set them up at opposing ends of the table, with the gang tearing into groups depending on game preference. We enjoyed a good hour and a half of gameplay and drinking, soaking up the wonderful wholesome vibes that had been generated in this lovely relaxing pub.

After a while, a couple at a table nearby joined in on our fun and we spent some time discussing the ins and outs of chess and alcohol – an experience that was about as wholesome as you could get in Glasgow. And that’s the thing about your local bar; sure, it’s not as exciting as the new cocktail bar in the town centre, but it certainly can provide an excellent night of unexpected laughs and chats with strangers. Never dismiss your local, I can guarantee it will surprise you and offer you and your pals a superb time. If this sort of drunken wholesome fun sounds right up your street, then I cannot recommend The 78 more. You will find it on Kelvinhaugh Street in the West End and I promise you will enjoy yourself immensely.