Readers who are lucky (unlucky?) enough remember the Eighties may recall the song The Honeythief by the band Hipsway. It got to Number 17 in the charts – no mean feat back in 1986.

It was sung by Glasgow lad Grahame Skinner and, like many other musicians did then and still do, Mr Skinner supplemented his muso income with bar and restaurant work.

When he was not performing music and writing songs, the singer poured drinks and made cappuccinos in Glasgow’s Rock Garden bar and Warehouse cafe in the 1980s.

Later on, he worked for Oliver Peyton in London, before coming back to Scotland around ten years ago.

Grahame is still making music and is also now behind the bar at the recently revamped Rio Cafe in Glasgow’s West End.

Boozy knickerbocker glories

The Rio Cafe has been given a new look. It’s still a corner cafe, open for breakfast, lunch, tea and booze – but it has had a facelift and a new menu.

While the menu continues to focus on The Rio’s breakfasts, these will be supplemented by a pared down, all-day menu including the cafe’s popular meatballs, vegan shepherd’s pie and burgers.

Ice-cream floats and knickerbockers glories now come in boozy versions as well as the child-friendly originals.

The beer range has been expanded to include craft beers, two of which have a special connection with Grahame.

Williams Bros’ Hipsway and Honey Thief will now take pride of place on the gantry.

Inside the rejigged bar, the booths down the side remain in place. The bar has moved to the far end beside the kitchen, to allow more space for high tables and for drinkers to stand and chat.

The raised platform area will stay in place, to be used by the regular performers at jazz, cabaret and spoken word nights. Grahame will introduce some of these events and may be persuaded to play a couple of songs himself.