The Tron Theatre Bar

Can a new artistic regime change herald a revival in fortunes for The Tron Theatre Bar? Once the drinking den of choice for Glasgow's arts crowd and ladies who lunch, it suffered a downturn over the last year, with the heaving mass of luvvies, luvvie-lovers and critics drifting away to alternative haunts. But now that new head honcho Andy Arnold (fresh from The Arches, which sure has no trouble drawing the post-work punters to its own bar) is packing out the stalls with his first year in charge, that fickle lot are returning in their droves.

Certainly, it deserves to be busy. The bright front bar is great for latte lounging and people-watching, its large windows looking out on the crossroads where the Merchant City yuppies and Saltmarket, errr, ‘characters’ meet. Tucked away out back is the Victoria Bar, a trad hidey hole that regularly hosts alternative cabaret nights and intimate live gigs.

Drinks-wise, you’re well-served with Budvar and Nastro Azzuro on tap, plus hearty glasses of house Shiraz and potent G&Ts to fuel the matinee crowds. The all-day bar menu serves up dependable staples such as a slow-braised Scotch beef lasagne and goat’s cheese and red onion crostini, both for under a fiver, but predictably the pre-theatre is the way to go here. Investing 12.95 will get you a chunky pork terrine to slather on toast with a sweet pear chutney or ‘Oriental’-style fishcakes, followed by a suitably seasonal wild mushroom and winter truffle risotto or West Coast salmon with couscous and a punchy dill cream. All in all this is rich, hearty food - just don’t overindulge and nod off during the first act, ya hear?