The Bier Hoose and The Smokin’ Fox will soon be pouring their first drinks in Edinburgh and Glasgow respectively.

The Bier Hoose is taking shape on Leith Walk in what used to be the Boundary Bar.

Apparently, it will be a German-style beer bar with lots of German and Belgian beers along with a selection of German street food.

Fingers crossed that currywurst will be on the Bier Hoose menu.

We love our foraged ingredients, rare breed pork and paired tasting menus as much as the next very greedy man.

However, there are times when only a sausage smothered in ketchup and curry powder will hit the spot.

Bier Hoose gets the beers in

The Bier Hoose has already started stocking the bar with beers from Stone Brewing, 6 degrees north and Berliner Pilsner being loaded into the cellar.

The team behind the new venture also run The Old Chain Pier in Newhaven and Bar Brig which is on the opposite side of the road and a little further down Leith Walk.

Actually, as we are blethering about new places in Edinburgh, this is as good a spot as any to mention that a new branch of Wagamama is pencilled in to open on St Andrew Square on April 10th.

Iberica, which has already opened a branch in Glasgow, is said to be planning to launch an outlet on the Square before summer.

The Smokin’ Fox sparks up on Waterloo Place

Meanwhile, in Glasvegas, The Hope on Waterloo Street has shut up shop and is being transformed into The Smokin’ Fox.

The plan is for the new bar to open mid March.

We are told that The Smokin’ Fox ‘pub and scullery’ will be a ‘destination for seasonal and local produce and tasty drinks’.

All of which are things which we approve of heartily.

The 5pm Dining blog wishes all these new ventures the best of luck.