The Pot Still, Glasgow

The Pot Still is a small traditional bar with a serving counter on the left wall that faces high tables in the centre and banquettes down the right-hand wall. At the rear is a raised seating area. The bar supports standard keg alongside four hand pumps that were drawing Stow Brewery’s Dhu Brew, Skye Black, Broughton’s Sin Bin and Loch Lomond Brewery’s Southern Summit. I think the main draw for the other customers who had filled the bar on a recent midweek evening was the huge whisky choice available from shelf after shelf on the back bar. On the food front, pies are available during the day. There was some background music playing, but it was hardly audible over the chatter, so it didn’t really need to be on. I really liked it in here, but not enough to shell out for the advertised Pot Still T-shirts, glasses or keyrings.

An unfussy, comfy and traditional place split over two levels with banquettes and ornate ceiling (sadly dowdily painted). 700+ whiskies advertised and stored in the impressive dark wood bar gantry, this includes a ‘malt of the month’ for £2.50 which is excellent value and was heartily accepted by the missus. Three Scottish cask ales; over my two visits I tried the Top Out (NBSS 3.5) and Orkney Island Life (3) though on both occasions they were both a tad warm despite decent turnover. There are also apparently some interesting Franconian bottles in the fridge too. In a more offbeat note, there are old barrels repurposed as sinks in the toilets. This is a nice gentle all-rounder and is a bit of a default in the centre though its relatively bijou size means that you need to time your visit.