please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Recent midweek visit at lunchtime. A bit quiet at first but filled up quickly. Very pleasant barman took my order for food and drink and both were fine. Bangers and mash were excellent. Well poured Harivestoun. Considering I was on my way up Byres Road to visit Tennent's, this proved a solid and unexpected diversion.
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Pub number 2 and its the Curlers Rest on Byers Road. The exterior looks like a regular locals pub but the inside is very different, the lighting is low, soul music is playing and its pretty trendy.
There are 5 hand pumps that have 4 cask ales on, 2 from Harivestoun Bitter & Twisted and Broken Dial, Caledonian Deuchars IPA and Stewart's 80/-. On keg there are another 3 ales and I go for a pint of Purity Longhorn IPA @ 5.0%. A good pint that is well kept and served but I think £4.45 a pint is a bit steep. I've had this in pubs before when they put a premium on keg ales.
The walls by the bar are adorned with pump clips, there's certainly been some ales served here.
A strong smell of food , around half the punters were here for food.
A large pub with plenty of tables and chairs and comfy sofas in the large room opposite the bar. Upstairs there's a dining room area with another small bar.
Another tick for me.
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Friday night, very busy,no grief from the "doorman";decent beer but I didn't see much of the place due to the number of people in the room. Will go again - it is next door to Hillhead Subway station and a part of the Byres Road pub crawl.
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Good pint of Harviestoun American IPA yesterday- a hoppy 5%- though I was surprised to be given a dimpled mug. It was also quite expensive, but I like the look of the new place. A bit gastro-ey but an improvement on the old student shop.
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It is disappointing to think that drinkers might be prevented from visiting this fine pub because of the plethora of negative reviews. The bouncers mentioned by pomona are a licensing requirement because of the bad reputation which the pub previously had. However, the owners could perhaps do more to make the pub seem more welcoming from the outside because we very nearly didn't go in. What a treat we would have missed! The new owners have clearly spent a considerable sum developing the pub in to a fine traditional but gastro venue. 5 real ales all with pumps containing descriptions of the beer on a luggage label tied to each. The barman was on hand to answer any further questions and when one beer ran out halfway through pouring he generously gave it me at no extra cost. The food looked lovely. Upstairs there are wooden banqueting tables and the kitchen; downstairs tables and chairs. The pub has its own newsletter advertising regular events. The pub was lit by candles with real fires and the mood was friendly and relaxed. I got the impression that outsiders and locals would be welcomed with an equal enthusiasm.
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Having read some of the reviews here, I approached the Curlers Rest with a certain amount of trepidation. When I arrived, there were bouncers on the door which is never a good sign.
Once inside, I found a distinctly pleasant ambience and was delighted to see beer given such prominence with an extensive list of bottled beer on the blackboard and an unusual selection of real ale at the handpumps, complete with tasting notes.
The barman was friendly and welcoming and seemed genuinely interested in what I thought of my ale choice. The prices were approaching London levels but were not exorbitant.
I wandered upstairs to check out the real fire. It had a restauanty feel due in part to the open kitchen.
I felt happier drinking downstairs where I read through the pub's newsletter. It looks like they're trying very hard to create something different for Glasgow and I wish them well in this venture.
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Used to be such a great pub 20 years ago, jazz upstairs - I saw Tommy Smith play there once. Now it's just a dive I'm afraid and if I'm in the area I'll go to Tennents or down towards Dumbarton Rd.
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What a great spot this was back in the early 90s that is !! right next to hillhead underground as well so a perfect location ,shame that its now a tacky,soulless dump .
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I am sorry to read the reviews of this pub now. When I lived in Hillhead across the street at 8 Ruthven st in 1981 it was truly a wonderful place. Many students from GSA hung out there and I loved it! Posted by a sailor from america.
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Walked into here a couple of weeks back and walked straight out again. No beer on, no other customers, looked horrible. Eeuch!
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Bounce the Blacks!
I am a black man from Uganda. This evening,14th September '07,my white friend and I decided to go to the Curlers. My friend had been a regular there 35 years ago when he was a student. However, the bouncers wouldn't let us in allegedly because my friend had had too much to drink - we hadn't even had a glass of wine with our dinner. We were amazed. My friend stretched out his arms and stood on one leg and said that he hadn't had even a drop to drink; and it was obviously true. So what was the real reason for us not being allowed in?
anonymous - 15 Sep 2007 00:14 |
This pub is a Glasgow institution.
Love the critics who claim it is "commercial". As opposed to pubs that are non commercial then? What do they do, give beer away?
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a commercial dump designed to fleece stupid students.They are a lot more bigger, better and friendlier pubs in the area.
Avoid this pub like the plague... you have been warned
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Turned into "its a scream" pub in '98 and went downhill. Really commercial. Lost its previous atmosphere. Does stay open til one on a wednesday tho
simon - 7 Sep 2004 15:48 |
