OF OUR FAVOURITE BARS
With hundreds of licensed premises in Scotland’s two leading cities to choose from, drinkers are spoilt for choice. The pages that follow offer
our pick of the most interesting watering holes.
BIG SCREEN
Tuck into a drink and enjoy the live matches.
GLASGOW
The Brick
City Cenhe, 207 Bath Sheet, 0141 248 2123
.\'ot really intended for diehard footie fans. its downstairs space is full of big comfy sofas facing a big screen. Sit back with a beer and burger.
Pivo Pivo
City Cenhe, 315 Waterloo Sheet, 0141 564 8100 'lhe fridges behind the bar contain some 90 varieties of lager from the Continent. possibly the biggest selection in
(ilztsgow.
Sporto Bar
City Cenhe, 17 Waterioo Sheet, 0141 248 8878 'lhis is the nearest (ilasgow has to a [S style spoits bar. From all comets of Spono's thtec-tier layout. at least one of the .iS-odd
screens can be seen.
Waxy O’Connor’s City Centre, 44 West George Street, 0141 354 5154
With six bars on three levels. this
vast bar offers a varied ambience.
while also allowing big screen sport to coexist with restaurant- style settings.
EDINBURGH
Logie Bairds
Old Town, 1-3 South Bridge, 0131 556 9940 Whether in the main lloor space. the wee snug with sofas towards the back or up on the iiieI/auiile. you can always get a view at one of the screens set around the pubic bar and lounge in the Bank llotel.
8 Ball Sports Bar
Leith, 125 Great Junction Sheet, 0131 554 9245 Open since late September. this dedicated spoth bar managed to get top lintish super- featherweight contender Alex Arthur to open it. In addition to screening football matches. the 8 Ball has l3 ftlll-si/e l'S-stylc
pool tables.
Queens Arms
New Town, 49 Frederick Sheet, 0131 225 1045
Like your favourite jumper. the Queens Anus is both familiar and snug. But in addition to sport and good real ale. it also offers a damn line qui/ on \‘l'eduesdays.
GOOD FOOD
Fancy some freshly prepared nosh with that cold beverage? Try these.
GLASGOW
Bar Gandolfi Merchant City, 64 Albion Sheet, 0141 552 4462 Above the landmark street-level cafe/brasserie. liar ( iandolli is a
BAR SPECIAL
Merchant (‘ity star in its own right. Sct)ttish-continental cuisine from the open kitchen is as fresh and timeless as the 'Iim Stead workshop fumiture.
Bar 91
Merchant City, 91 Candleriggs, 0141 552 521 1
Bar ()l remains an unpretentious place with a mix of clientele. Highlights on the food front are hand-made burgers and lamb meatballs with pasta. Remember. it's a cash-only openition.
Big Slope
West End, 36a Kelvingrove Sheet, 0141 333 0869
Big Slope has translonned the old :\ir ()rganic bar. Space age has given over to urban hunting lodge. Meals are prepared with fresh ingredients and flavours.
Firebird
West End, 1321 Argyle Sheet, 0141 334 0594 'lhis bar/bistro is bright and airy during the day. and a glowing box of fun at night. (‘reative pi/Ias baked in the wood—fired
stove are a tone of l-‘irebird.
The Left Bank
West End, 33-35 Gibson Sheet, 0131 339 5969 This bar bistro seeks to emphasise local produce whenever possible. lirom a tapas
selection to evening main courses
such as (loan Masala seafood in
Iglu, Edinburgh
a coconut and squash vindaloo.
Strata
City Centre, 45 Queen Sheet, 0141 221 1888 Now a veteran of (ilasgow's style bar scene. Strata's candle-lit tables twinkle enticingly behind large picture windows. Better yet is a mezzanine seat with a perfect view of Strata’s long bar. l’ood. such as 'lhai green curly. signals a homemade touch.
Stravaigin Café Bar West End, 28 Gibson Sheet, 0141 334 2665 lixpanded within the past year. Stravaigin's street level cafe bar with mex/anine has retained its character. Drinkers just have a little more space in which to enjoy the nonnally exceptional food and drink on offer.
EDINBURGH
Café Royal Circle Bar
New Town, 19 West Register Sheet, 0131 556 1884
.-\n lidinburgh classic with leather booths. Seafood is the speciality. 'lhe kitchen also set‘VL‘s the adjoining restaurant. so silver seiyice and quality food surpass pub dining expectations.
The Cambridge
New Town, 20 Young Sheet, 0131 226 2120
A bar with a dual mission: stone floor and subdued lighting create a gastro-pub feeling. while tellies signal an upmarket spons pub.
Candy Bar
New Town, 1 1 3—1 15 George Street, 0131 225 9179
(‘ome in for the mixologists' Monkey Sours but stick around for the food: you may struggle to find a better value bar meal in lidinburgh.
LOCALS IN THE KNOW
Heather Suttie (right) Drivel/me Host, XFM Scotland 705. 7/ 706.7 FM Café Rio, 27 l-lyndland Steet, Partick
“A COSy. intimate. jazzy. retro type of place with friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere. Big cosy booths also make it a great place to chew the fat.“
i
Actor
Martin Smith
Film director
Homes Bar, 102 Constitution Street, Leith 'A hidden gem in the heart of Leith this quiet wee Irish owned pub is full of character. I've even used the place for filming . . . twice — truly amazing!’
Julie Wilson Nimmo
Rogano
'j Oyster Bar, 11 Exchange '. Place, Glasgow ‘You sit in these booths and it‘s like something out of an old movie. It‘s the only place I have been in where someone has sent drinks over - it added to the movie experience. ' I Julie Wilson Nimmo appears in Aladdin at Kings Theatre. Glasgow, Fri 7 Dec-Sat 73 Jan 200 7.
Dominik
Diamond
DJ, XFM Scot/and Heraghty’s, 708 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow
‘Heraghty's oozes all things bohemian with glorious Guinness drunk by more characters than you‘ll find in a BBC costume drama.“
Susan Morrison, Comedian
2 Carriers Quarters, 42
Bernard Street, Leith ‘Tiny. cosy. atmospheric. You can sit at a table and stand at the bar simultaneously. '
BIG SCREEN
The Brick, Glasgow
8 Ball Sports Bar, Edinburgh Logie Bairds, Edinburgh Sporto Bar, Glasgow GOOD FOOD
Bar Gandolfi, Glasgow Big Slope, Glasgow The Cambridge, Edinburgh Iglu, Edinburgh
The Left Bank, Glasgow Strata, Glasgow
Tonic, Edinburgh
HANOOUTS
Black Bo’s, Edinburgh City Cafe, Edinburgh
The Doublet Bar, Glasgow The Goat, Glasgow Moskito, Glasgow
The Pond. Edinburgh Sofi's, Edinburgh
LIVE ACTS
Nice’n’SIeazy, Glasgow King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
Mono, Glasgow
The Royal Oak. Edinburgh The Stand, Edinburgh
The 18th Note, Glasgow REAL ALE AND WHISKY Bow Bar, Edinburgh
Bon Accord, Glasgow
The Canny Man's. Edinburgh
Cask and Barrel, Edinburgh The Pot Still, Glasgow West Brewing Company, Glasgow
STYLE BARS
See panels, page 100-102. OUTDOORS
The Baby Grand, Glasgow Brel, Glasgow
Chinaski, Glasgow
The Pear Tree, Edinburgh The Outhouse. Edinburgh
Lil) Nov—1x1 Doc 200i? THE LIST 97