GLASGOW AFTER DARK - Edinburgh and Glasgow - page 241

The Horse Shoe If you could only visit one pub in central Glasgow, I might
suggest this one. It is the last unscathed “Palace Pub,” which opened around the
turn of the 20th century. The circular, island bar is one of the longest in Europe, and
the place draws an interesting cross-section of Glaswegians. Drinks are served Mon-
day to Saturday noon to midnight and Sunday from 12:30pm to midnight. The buf-
fet is open until 7:30pm daily except Sunday, when it closes at 5pm. 17 Drury St. (btw.
Renfield and W. Nile streets). & 0141/229-5711. Underground: Buchanan St.
The Pot Still Previously called the Cask & Still, this pub is the best place for
sampling superior malt whiskies. You can taste from a selection of hundreds and
hundreds of them, with a variety of styles (peaty or sweet), strengths, and maturities.
Open Monday to Thursday noon to 11pm, Friday and Saturday noon to midnight,
Sunday 12:30 to 11pm. 154 Hope St. & 0141/333-0980. www.thepotstill.co.uk. Underground:
Buchanan St.
Vroni's Wine Bar If you favor the grape over the grain, Bordeaux over brown ale,
Sancerre rather than cider, then Vroni's selection of red, white, and sparkling wines,
sold by the glass or the bottle, should satisfy you. The feeling of this small bar is
Continental with banquette seating and candle-lit tables. Open Monday to Saturday
from 10am to midnight and Sunday from 12:30pm to midnight; food is served at
lunchtimes. 47 W. Nile St. & 0141/221-4677. Underground: Buchanan St.
Merchant City
Babbity Bowster A civilized place for a pint, with no pounding soundtrack of
mindless pop to distract you from conversation. The wine selection is good, and the
food is worth sampling, as well. Outdoor seating is available, although it is rarely in
full sun. Folk musicians often drop in for a bit of spontaneous jamming. Drinks are
served daily from noon to midnight; food until about 9pm. 16 Blackfriars St. & 0141/552-
5055. Train: High St.
Blackfriars Real ales are less plentiful in Glasgow when compared to Edinburgh,
but this basic Merchant City pub has a decent selection of rotating beers, including
some from the Continent. Jazz is featured in the basement space, as is comedy.
Drinks are served Monday to Saturday from noon to midnight and Sunday from
12:30pm to midnight. 36 Bell St. & 0141/552-5924. Underground: St. Enoch.
East End
WEST This brewery and bar is modeled after Munich beer halls. In the base-
ment they produce the best, freshest lager in Scotland following strict German laws
for purity and using chemical-free processes. Don't let the name fool you, however,
as WEST is at the east end of Glasgow Green in the former wool-winding room of
the Templeton Carpet Factory (near the People's Palace museum). Food leans
toward hearty Bavarian dishes; drinks are served from noon to midnight; food until
about 9pm. Glasgow Green. & 0141/550-0135. www.westbeer.com. Bus: 16, 43, or 64.
West End
Brel Ashton Lane is full of pubs and bars, but this one is possibly the best.
It has a Belgian theme—with beers and cuisine favoring that French-speaking
country—but it is not overplayed. The music policy is eclectic, with DJs and live acts

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