There was a time when “going south” was used as a negative term. But now, with the continuing rebirth of Shawlands, Pollokshaws and Strathbungo into an area of real distinction, bars and restaurants that can be considered Finnieston or West End staples are waking up to the benefits of opening outposts south of the river.
The arrival of the Butterfly and the Pig in January 2015 was a turning point in the gentrification of Shawlands. Upmarket steakhouse The McMillan followed not long after, and when a pop-up incarnation of Lebowski’s ousted the popular oldie’s pub Sammy Dow’s that summer, the pace of change seemed to be accelerating.
It was all very exciting: the bar modelled after The Coen Brothers’ cult icon The Dude has been a Finnieston favourite for years, predating the explosion of new venues that has turned its neighbourhood into the city’s coolest. Its arrival has a 100% success ratio in turning around a suburb’s fortunes. It’s a pretty good record to have.
Now approaching its tenth anniversary, the original Lebowski’s hasn’t lost any of its charm or its capacity to delight. For a White Russian lover, it is heaven: there are more than 25 variations on this delicious cocktail to choose from. And its burgers are to die for. While the rest of the world has moved on, it persists with the Dude-inspired shtick, and in these times when everything seems to be changing so constantly and so rapidly, that is to be applauded. Until it gets old – which it never will – I am a devotee. And to those who disagree, I say this: yeah, well, you know… that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Q: What’s your New Year’s Resolution?
1 Suzanne Gormley, 31, Barrhead, “Stop spending so much money”
Stewart Gormley, 32, Barrhead, “Stop giving my wife so much money”
2 Cammy Beattie, 31, Renfrew, “Sort my pigsty house out”
Leilah Beattie, 31, Renfrew, “To see more of the world”
3 David Campbell, 20, East End, “To travel more”
Jonathan Walsh, 26, East End, “Drink more”
Harry Lindsey, 22, West End, “Eat less hydrogenated fats”
4 Katrina Wasson, 25, Partick
Favourite Club? Sanctuary
Favourite Bar? Gin 71
Favourite DJ? Faithless
Favourite Band? The Small Faces
What You Drinking? Gin and Slimline
First Club? The Arches
Describe Your Dancing? Special
5 David Curran, 25, Baillieston, “To work less”
Rebecca Trayner, 25, Finnieston, “To take up dancing again”
6 Lucy McGread, 26, Partick, “To have no resolutions”
Sinead Mackinnon, 25, Woodlands, “To cook more”
Nicole Scott, 25, West End, “To be happy in New Zealand”
7 Calum Johnston, 24, Paisley, “Have more shenanigans”
Jadene Stuart, 21, Paisley, “Listen to more music”
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