The Horseshoe Bar
The Horseshoe Bar,
17 Drury Lane (off West Nile Street)
Glasgow.
0141 229 5711
Glasgow's famous Horseshoe Bar is a living, breathing, drinking and eating
legend in its own lunchtime.
It's been part of the city's social culture for so long that it transcends style, class, taste (and sometimes even species!) and you're as likely to see the 50-something director of a major bank in there as you are a hip and
happenin' club DJ.
A cliche maybe, but when you're in there you'll appreciate that the atmosphere is just that bit different.
Much of that is due to the Victorian decor, largely unchanged since it was built, giving the place that classic 'gin palace' feel, and the fact that the bar itself is officially, according to the Guinness Book of Records, the longest in the UK so virtually everyone can be a barfly.
And, as those who regularly inhabit pubs will know, the bar is always where it's at!
The Horseshoe is actually two bars. Downstairs is the actual 'horseshoe' bit and upstairs is the equally famous lounge where one of the cheapest and tastiest meals in Scotland (if not Britain) can be had.
This is a real gem for the hungry citizen. The pub itself is located down a wee alley between Renfield Street and West Nile Street - literally slap bang in the middle of the city and there is absolutely no better place to go for lunch whether you're out shopping or just out of it!
Not only is the dinner dripping with pure 'Glesga' culture, great from a tourist's point of view, but I would defy anyone to be able to find such a meal as home-made broth followed by the likes of roast chicken, fish, lasagne and ham salad etc (all with the traditional two veg of course) and finished off with tea, coffee or dessert for under �3 (!) anywhere.
And you can't argue with that.
Because it's not a restaurant as such. You do have to queue up at the food counter and it does get very busy.
So you may, or may not, be sharing a table with a couple of beer-swilling locals (and it has to be remembered that smoking is allowed) but it's well worth the effort and if the 'down to earth' feel of the place puts people off then that's exactly the way almost every regular would like it.
Let's just say, you'll know if it's for you. And if it is you'll simply love it.
Indeed, much like a favourite old record, people just forget how good the Horseshoe is until they revisit it again after a spell away at more modern places.
And if you've never been, go. One quick drink, particularly in the downstairs bar where its traditional look can give you the feel of being an extra in a Sherlock Holmes movie, will lead to you ordering another and another. You be glad you did!
Open until midnight every night.
- Peter Murphy