Photo of
February 23, 2018
Van Winkle
Van Winkle: bringing BBQ and a little Kerntucky vibe to Glasgow’s Calton.

5pm Dining is always adding new restaurants in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Van Winkle is one of the latest to join the Glasgow roster.

Launched at the tail end of 2017, Van Winkle is an American-style bar on the Gallowgate in Glasgow’s Calton neighbourhood.

Bourbon, BBQ and burgers are the mainstays of the menus and, as you might expect, the decor also takes its cue from the US of A.

Artfully stressed corrugated tin, stripped wood tables and brick walls all give the feeling that you might just have stepped into a honky tonk in the Kentucky backwoods.

A big screen shows the major sporting events while Americana bands provide the entertainment on Thursday evenings. One imagines that Duelling Banjos gets requested a fair few times.

The small beer garden comes into its own during the warmer months.

Van Winkle: founded on BBQ, burgers and lots of bourbon

Made from locally sourced ingredients, BBQ meats, burgers and buttermilk fried chicken play the major roles on the menu.

From the baby-back ribs to the bourbon brisket, the BBQ is smoked in-house over bourbon wood chips before being finished on the grill.

Stone-baked pizza add to Van Winkle’s long list of transactions.

While meat is the focus, there are a number of veggie dishes from beer-battered cauliflower bites to Cajun-spiced halloumi burgers.

Desserts include Buffalo Trace fudge brownies and cheesecake.

More than 80 varieties of bourbon – some of them much sought after – are among the liquid reasons for visiting.

We like the fact that the cocktails sections of the drinks list are split between Classic Cocktails and Crazy Ass Cocktails.

Handy for the Barrowlands

Van Winkle is just across the road from the famous Barrowland concert venue.

Given the, er, salty nature of some of the other bars in the area, it seems likely that Van Winkle will become a favourite pre-gig watering spot.

Other local attractions include the Barras market and the Barrowland Art and Design centre.