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September 6, 2017
The Citizen Bar and Dining Rooms
The Citizen Bar and Dining Rooms: menu ranges from fish pie to Bangkok curry.

The Citizen Bar and Dining Rooms on Glasgow’s St Vincent Place opens to the public today.

It is the latest project from The DRG. The company also operates restaurants under the Di Maggio’sCafé AndaluzAmaroneAtlantic BrasserieBaroloCadiz and The Anchorline brands.

The new venture is themed around the glory days of The Citizen newspaper, as well as celebrating everything Glasgow has to offer both now and in the future.

Founded in 1842 by James Hedderwick, The Citizen was one of the first newspapers in Glasgow.

In 1889, their new offices were opened in St Vincent Place in Scotland’s first red sandstone building. By 1864, it had become so successful that an evening edition was founded – one of the first three evening newspapers to be printed, published and sold in the Glasgow area.

Over a century later, competition from rivals such as The Daily Record and Glasgow Herald became too much. The Citizen printed its final edition on Friday 29 March 1974.

The newspaper may be long gone but the Grade A-listed, sandstone building has a new lease of life after a sympathetic restoration.

The Citizen: Glasgow’s past, present and future

Tony Conetta, DRG Director, says; ‘This project has been hugely enjoyable because it has uncovered incredible stories about the city and its people. From a public call-out for information on The Citizen newspaper, we’ve been inundated with fascinating tales, original photography and personal recounts.

‘We’re really excited to showcase these stories, the workmanship and the artistry that has gone into both the decor and the menus, all of which pay homage to Glasgow and her citizens.’

As always, the 5pm Dining blog is most interested in the food offer at the new venture.

It is an appealing menu that ranges from traditional comfort food to contemporary bar classics.

From the former camp, guests could tuck into Cullen skink or a black pudding and pork Scotch egg. The latter is served with the house brown sauce.

Other comfort food choices include a selection of pies, a house burger, steak and chips or a dish of Cumberland sausage and mash.

Less trad options might be the spicy buttermilk chicken; the tempura sea bass and chips or the Bangkok coconut curry.

Tennent’s Tank Lager

You could accompany it with wine or cocktails. Or you could enjoy your food with a pint of Tennent’s tank beer.

The Citizen is the latest bar to join the fashion for serving tank beer fresh from the brewery.

Making an appearance for the first time in Scotland since the 1980s, Tennent’s Tank Lager will be served  from giant copper tanks behind the bar.

The 5pm Dining blog wishes The Citizen very healthy circulation figures.

The Citizen
Tennent’s Tank Lager and cocktails are part of the drinks offer at The Citizen.