Here For The Beer

West Brewery, Bar & Restaurant, Templeton Building, Glasgow Green www.westbeer.com

The gorgeous Venetian inspired architecture and surrounding greenery, makes for a pleasant spot on a sunny day. Try a pint of ‘Mungo’ beer – a nod to Glasgow's Patron Saint and fellow brewer. Brewed on the premises, it’s clean, crisp and great with food such as smoked salmon & gravadlax with brown bread, capers & onion.

Babbity Bowsters, Blackfriars Street, Merchant City, Glasgow

The barman with the eye-patch looks like he may have a few tales to tell, and regular live folk music makes a nice change from piped-in music.
On tap there’s Caledonian Brewery’s award-winning Deuchars IPA plus organic farm cider. Famed for its Cullen Skink, this seafood packed soup isn’t as heavy as you might think. The pub is a short jaunt to the many pubs and clubs housed in the Merchant City Square covered courtyard.

The Chippy Doon The Lane, 23 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow www.thechippyglasgow.com

A chippy? I hear you ask. But this is a posh chippy, and it has the one of the best patio terraces in Glasgow, with plasma screen tellies dotted around to keep you amused. Try the Champagne Supper – battered haddock and hand-cut chips with homemade tartar sauce. With a glass of champagne all for £14.50 – told you it was posh!

The Dome Garden, 14 Rose St, Edinburgh www.thedomeedinburgh.com

A gem of a garden in Edinburgh's city centre, perfect for chillaxing and people-watching. Be good with a nice pot of tea or get stuck into the comprehensive wine list, with rosés and prosecco by the glass. Whilst old-school comfort carbs like fish, chips and mushy peas and the Dome burger go down a treat. Tables come with canopies, thoughtfully protecting you from those predictable summer showers. 

 The Sheep Heid Inn, 43-45 The Causeway, Duddingston, Edinburgh www.sheepheid.co.uk

Nestled at the foot of Arthur’s Seat and next to Duddingston Loch, it has a really jovial, welcoming village inn vibe. The Sheep Heid has been feeding and watering the good people of Edinburgh for the last six centuries and shows no sign of stopping. Try the Fidgit Pie – smoked bacon braised with cider, ginger and apricots. Their regular beer & cider festivals are an institution and there are always interesting guest local ales in the pumps. With its own skittle alley, knitting club and stack of board games you need never leave. Ever. Why would you want to?

 

Black Bo's Bar, 51 61 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh,  www.black-bos.com

It's got the cutest and smallest outdoor patch in the whole of Edinburgh. Plus it's got twinkly lights and picnic tables with umbrellas for shower shelter. Amongst a wide range of international beers and rums and whisky, they've got all the Fentiman's beverages, which are great if you fancy a posh and slightly alcoholic juice. Next door is locally loved Black Bo's Vegetarian Restaurant. The daily menu specializes in dishes with veggie combinations you wouldn’t think of at home.