The Pub Punter

1. The Horseshoe Bar, 17-21 Drury Street

The minute you walk through the Lismore's doors, you know you're in a pub that prides itself on the way it looks and doesn't try to follow other so-called trendy pubs in the West End by changing what has been a winning formula for many years. It looks pretty much the same as it did when I first visited about 15 years ago and I find that strangely comforting as I edge towards my mid 40s. Oooft.

1 The Maltman, 59-61 Renfield Street

Walkabout’s been around for years but it’s not a place that I’ve set foot in very often as it looks like a place for younger drinkers. Certainly most of the punters you see outside on the pavement having a cigarette don’t look a day over 25. Well … John Major was Prime Minister back in the day when I was 25 so I normally opt for a beer in the Atholl Arms, or Lauder’s  on the rare occasion that I fancy a pint when the working day is done.

Now, I love trying new watering holes but shamefully my knowledge of boozers in the East End of the city is sadly lacking. I just love going on and on about pubs I know in the City Centre, South Side, Merchant City and West End … but the East End was still a bit of a mystery when it came to tasty lager-related adventures.

If you want a glimpse of what a night out in Glasgow was like in the 1960s, take the Subway  to Bridge Street Station, cross the road and step back in time through the doors of the Laurieston.

You’ll remember the scene. Begbie (Robert Carlyle) is upstairs in the pub with his pals. He chucks an empty pint glass from the balcony, girl below gets hit, is covered in blood, starts screaming  …  and all hell breaks loose.

Bit of trivia first. The first Wetherspoons pub to open in Scotland was in Glasgow ...the Counting House just off George Square in 1996. It used to be a Bank of Scotland ... I used to have an account there when I was a student, many moons ago.

Now, don't get the wrong idea about me here. I don't spend long periods of time in pub loos when I'm out and about. But I've always believed that if a pub toilet is clean and well kept, the chances are the hostelry will be similarly well-maintained. However, if the toilets are a bit minging, well…you should probably put down your pint and find somewhere else to drink.