][1]Opening just before Christmas, The Sparkle Horse is a new addition to the Byres Road/Partick pub circuit.
Formerly the traditional Dowanhill Bar, the new venture is trying to stake a claim in that elusive pub territory where everything is cool but not painfully hip; laidback but not sloppy; low key without being grungy.
If the bar’s name makes you think ‘Mark Linkous’ then you will feel right at home. If you have no idea what I’m spraffing on about then don’t worry – the staff are super welcoming.
Word has it that former employees from Edinburgh’s Bongo Club and Glasgow’s Cafe Gandolfi are involved along with ex-Bis musicians.
The beer on tap includes WEST’s St Mungo and the short, straight forward bar menu consists of pub grub classics cooked to order. The house burger and the steak and Krusovice pie are winning local hearts and bellies.
The inaugural Sparkle Horse quiz night takes place tonight – the perfect excuse to check out the new bar and ease yourself into 2013.