EVEN in the repackaged, cleaned-up, gentrified Merchant City there is still room for messiness.

Among all the faceless wine bars pumping out sterile house beats is Maggie May's: a haven for the more indie-inclined who find themselves down the Trongate.

A soundtrack of vintage and modern rock and roll sets the scene, as iconic images of classic rockers - Keith Moon behind a tartan drumkit sticks in the mind - make up the backdrop.

There are no £4.50 pints here, as in Merchant Square's extortionate style bars.

There are nods toward sophistication in the extensively-stocked bar - the place is no dive - but this is a Merchant City pub for punters who probably wouldn't otherwise be in this part of town.

It's a perfect stopping post for anyone who needs a beer or four on their way to a gig at the Barras, or on the way back from Parkhead.

Not to take anything away from Maggie's, but I was surprised to find out that, at the Scottish Entertainment Awards, it has been voted Scotland's Best Live Music Venue for three consecutive years.

If that's the case, then my Scotland's Best Living Entertainment Writer gong can't be far off.

Just a cursory look at the gig schedule should tell you that small venues like Broadcast, Sleazy's, or countless others are perhaps more deserving.

That said, the live house bands - rock and roll on Saturday evening, country and blues on Sunday - are worth going out your way for.