One of Glasgow’s leading music venues, MacSorley’s on Jamaica Street closed its doors yesterday.
But fear not, after a hundred years in business, the popular music pub is not closing for good. It will re-open, hopefully on Friday 24th February, after a £250,000 refurbishment.
As well as a full internal refurbishment, it will benefit from new external signage and an outside pavement drinking area.
The investment, in partnership with pub company Punch, will focus heavily on the pub’s heritage and feature bespoke artwork from Glasgow-based artists, Social Recluse.
As well as a new look, MacSorley’s also has a new publican, Mickey Mullan. With more than eight years’ experience of running pubs and bars, he is keen to ensure that, despite the changes, live entertainment remains at the heart of MacSorley’s.
Glasgow institution
He said: ‘MacSorley’s is a Glasgow institution and I am looking forward to building even further on its reputation as a music and entertainment venue. We currently have live music four times a week and I want to extend that to every night of the week.’
In addition to regular performances from the three resident performers – David Duffy, Hugh Kearns and Muldoon’s Ragtime, Jazz and Blues Band – there will be weekly acoustic and open mic sessions as well as specific slots on a Thursday night for up and coming new bands.
Mickey added: ‘Encouraging new talent is really important to me and I see MacSorley’s as playing a major role in giving talented new bands and singers their first step on the ladder.’
The new-look MacSorleys will feature an extensive range of drinks with five cask ales, 50 different types of whisky, 40 types of rum and 30 varieties of gin to choose from. There will be a good choice of bar food available in the day including a signature range of soups made using cask ales.
Super Bario
Sticking with Glasgow, Super Bario is set to open on King Street today.
A cross between a games arcade and a bar, it promises craft beers from the likes of William’s and West alongside classic refurbished games such as Tekken 3, Pac-Man and Ridge Racer.
Apparently, there will also be pinball machines for anyone who wants to kick it in an old school stylee.
We understand that Konbo Arcade Café will offer a similar experience at an un undisclosed address in Edinburgh later this year.
More news as we get it.
Riding the wagon
Staying in Edinburgh, from next Tuesday North West Circus Place will play host to DRY, Edinburgh’s first alcohol-free pop-up bar.
The organisers are adamant that they ‘don’t want to create a virtuous, hair-shirt experience; but rather a relaxed vibe where you can meet friends and share delicious food, drink and good conversation’.
There will be plenty of entertainment and events throughout the duration of the DRY pop-up with cooking demos, talks, bands, quiz nights, table-tennis league, darts and board games. DRY is also teaming up with local pop-up food stalls.
DRY will be offering up mocktails and non-alcoholic craft beers and wine from 17 January until 28 February 2017.