The Steps Bar, Glasgow

Drawn to this bar up some steps (!) by the CAMRA Historic Pub Interior of National Importance,it's has a wonderful art deco feel.The interior featured in the Empire Exhibition of 1938,and was moved and reconstructed here in full.The walnut panelling,and internal detail are worthy of close inspection ,the bar room has red leather fitted bench seating,a light wood curved bar ,some dark wood flooring and hanging globe lighting.The back room with its long bench seating has an original door numbered 2,a mosaic at the far end of the Queen Mary (built locally ) and bell pushes,no longer working but there are still silver hoops marking out an area of the bar where the table service waiter would have collected the drinks.The guv'nor told me this back room was popular with women and couples while the bar room was more earthy in the day. Sadly there is no real ale,just mainstream kegs and my Drygate Gladeye IPA was dull.There is however a decent whisky offering. Worth a look for the heritage,nothing much to keep you there on the beer front which is a shame.

Steps is a small bar with a serving counter on the right wall that faces a couple of high tables and then banquette seating along the left wall that also wraps around to the front. There is dark wooden panelling throughout and at the rear is a snug. The television up on the wall was playing Heart radio. There was one other customer during my early evening midweek visit, and he was sitting on the corner of the bar making it a bit of a squeeze to get through to the toilets. The friendly barman was dressed like a pirate, and he wasn’t in fancy dress. This place is worth a look for the history, but the standard keg and lack of atmosphere means that I’d probably walk past next time.

City centre CAMRA heritage pub sadly ruined by vast amounts of COVID crap everywhere, it looked like Elliot’s parents house in ET once the government scientists had set-up shop - silly. What I could make out was a small late 30’s refit; lots of dark brown formica panelling, rectangular wood ceiling and a little snug room with a stained glass liner (RMS Queen Mary) depicted. Mainly standard kegs though a Drygate was on, which is at least a stab at originality. A Caledonia Best did for me as I hadn’t had it before. Only two other customers and no heating either as it had broken and the apologetic barman said they were still waiting for the repair. Caught it at completely the worst time, I’d like to try again in future though, post Wuflu.