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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Alastair Barter
Submitted on Monday, 4th April 2022
With picture contributions to 1824 other pubs
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Detail Pages
The Scotia Bar, Glasgow
Glasgow
G1 4LW
Served areas
Reviews of The Scotia Bar (Average Rating: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Scotia Bar
Supposedly Glasgow's oldest pub, but whether it's or not, it's certainly an interesting place with a characterful heritage interior. Staple-shaped bar with a snug (oddly raised by a single step) in the right-hand corner. As a Belhaven establishment, the 'house' Writers Block beer presumably comes from Dunbar, but three of the other four handpumps were offering cask ales from Loch Lomond, including my Ben Ime (£5.05).
On 6th April 2025
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The Scotia Bar
Apparently dating from 1782, the dimly lit Scotia has a long staple shaped bar counter that supports standard, premium and craft keg alongside four hand pumps, two of which were unused during a recent midweek afternoon visit. Belhaven’s 80 Shilling and Alchemy’s Bad Day at the Office were the cask options. I went for the latter which should have been called Bad Pint at the Scotia because it was the dregs at the very bottom of the barrel and closer inspection revealed bits floating in my glass. Pointed out to the barman and soon changed, but maybe they should turn the lights up just a little so the staff can see what they’re serving. Seating is found around all the exterior walls and the odd snug is thrown in for good measure. This would certainly be a good place to hide out if on the run. Regular live folkie music is held here, although there was just some background music on during my visit. There’s also a television up on the wall that was showing a muted old Technicolour film, I’m not sure what this added to the ambiance. This is a cosy pub, in fact the wide bar means that it wouldn’t take many to make it very full. I thought the staff to be friendly and the pub atmospheric, so I’d certainly return when back in Glasgow.
On 24th November 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5965 recommendations about 5931 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Scotia Bar
Very authentic ,old pub where Billy Connolly performed as a young man and which has a stong reputation for live music,often acoustic.There is a small side snug to the right of the front door and an aroma of ancient timber while the serving bar is to the left.The ceiling is low and has bank notes pinned up above the bar staff.Elsewhere there is good wood panelling,seats in window recesses and lot of traditional furniture.Interesting old maps hang on the walls,it's very atmospheric inside.The large speakers indicate that some bands will play quite loud.
There were 3 handpumps working serving on my trip Orkney Raven and Corncrake (NBSS 3.5) together with Belhaven 80/-.
A Glasgow institution and should not be missed when in town.
On 5th March 2022
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]
View more reviews of The Scotia Bar (12)
Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
- Official site of the Scotia Bar, includes events listing - www.scotiabar.net
- Facebook - The Scotia
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Scotia Bar - whatpub.com
- Historic Pub Interiors - pubheritage.camra.org.uk
Glasgow Central, 0.7 miles, 13 min walk (show)
High Street (Glasgow), 0.71 miles, 13 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 15 July 2019 by ROB Camra
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 15 July 2019 by ROB Camra
- Beer Garden : No last updated 15 July 2019 by ROB Camra
- CAMRA Discount : Yes - 10% - last updated 15 July 2019 by ROB Camra
- Car Park : No last updated 15 July 2019 by ROB Camra
- Child Friendly : No last updated 15 July 2019 by ROB Camra
- Dog Friendly : Yes - Not whe live music is on - last updated 15 July 2019 by ROB Camra
- Hot Food : No last updated 15 July 2019 by ROB Camra
- Live Music : Yes last updated 15 July 2019 by ROB Camra
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 15 July 2019 by ROB Camra
- Micropub : No last updated 15 July 2019 by ROB Camra
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 15 July 2019 by ROB Camra
- Real Cider : No last updated 15 July 2019 by ROB Camra
- WiFi : Yes last updated 15 July 2019 by ROB Camra
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