AS temperatues drop, find a welcome escape from the cold at one of these fantastic pubs in Scotland. With comforting hearty meals, a warm friendly atmosphere, and snug interiors it's the perfect way to enjoy the comforts of wintertime...
Cùl Cùil, Glasgow
You can’t get much cosier than Cùl Cùil - Glasgow’s only heated and covered City Centre winter garden.
The Cùil's cosy, intimate vibe and unique atmosphere is second to none. This month Cùl Cùil are celebrating their first birthday. There is taps tradition to top, craft beers, cosy cocktails, gin and rum renowned. The full new menu has just been launched and now you can settle down for a steak, pick away at some Scottish Seafood on the glass-enclosed urban mezzanine or “Oot The Back” in the heated garden - much more than your ordinary beer garden.
This seasonal spectacle is split over a raised wood terrace amongst plenty of ivies, flowering shrubs, jasmine, honeysuckle and other dramatic greenery. From above on the tiered Glasshouse, you’ve got a gallery view over a twinkly lit winter garden patio, for when day turns into night.
Cùl Cùil just got a whole lot cùiler and offers something “completely different from anything else in the city!"
The new menu, which just launched is complemented by new additions and Cùil Classics such as Seafood Bisque, Moules Mariniêre, Scallops with Stornaway Black Pudding, Haggis Neeps & Tatties, and Thai Green Curry. This adds to our existing traditional (with a twist) favourites like handmade chargrilled burgers, steak pies, haddock bites, baked camembert, chargrilled ribeye steak, seafood linguine and chicken with a wee Mexican twist. There is also some revamped plant-based vegan and vegetarian options too. There is now also a cúil boozy brunch served all weekend long.
As we near the festive season, all that sparkles is warm in the heated Winter Garden. Both inside or out, the Cùil and perfect setting for Christmas nights out, work parties, mulled wine with pals, Christmas dinner, or boozy chocolate cocktails. Keep an eye out for their new High Sea Sundays (a celebration of West Coast Scottish Shellfish) coming soon...
Only two minutes’ walk from the renowned Style Mile and both Queen St and Central Station, this is the perfect spot for your seasonal socialising.
culcuil.com
www.facebook.com/culcuil
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The Keys Bar, St. Andrews
A family pub since 1979, the Gordon family have gone from strength to strength priding themselves on outstanding service, a vast selection of products and a fantastic atmosphere, they are an independent family run local traditional bar in St. Andrews.
Claire and her amazing team at The Keys Bar in St. Andrews won “Best Whisky Bar in Scotland 2017”. Awarded recently at the Scottish Bar and Pub awards, this was on the back of their “Best Pub of the year” in 2014.
With over 300 Malt whiskies for customers to choose from, there is a whisky for everyone, anything from malt of the moments to scarce 30 year olds whiskies they have them all. If you’re not sure about malt whiskies or any of the products they we will give out wee samples to let you try before you buy and now have over 60 gins to give the whiskies a run for their money, as well as a great selection of Scottish beers and spirits.
The Keys pride themselves in keeping their prices competitive.
Toasties, steak and gravy pies, selection of teas and coffees are available seven days a week.
Join their fun dominoes competition on Tuesday nights, with quiz nights and darts also on the agenda.
The Keys love anything St. Andrews related whether it be, restaurants, or just places to visit they love to spread the love.
twitter:@bar_keys
Website: keysbar.co.uk
Keys Bar
87 Market Street
St.Andrews
KY16 9NX
01334 472414
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Kilchrenan Inn, near Oban
Situated close to the shores of majestic Loch Awe, amongst the mountains and lochs of rural Argyll and Bute lies the Kilchrenan Inn. Once an 18th century trading post the Inn has recently been refurbished and offers guests a little luxury whilst maintaining its original charm.
The Kilchrenan Inn is only a short drive from Oban and is surrounded by some of the best walking, cycling, fishing and wildlife that Scotland has to offer. A place to savour modern Scottish food and drink with friends and loved ones in informal and welcoming surroundings.
Dine in our restaurant or bar, relax with a drink by our log fire then retreat to your room before enjoying a hearty breakfast the next morning.
Fresh locally sourced food is at the heart of their philosophy. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the kitchen at Kilchrenan Inn offers a modern take on traditional Scottish dishes. The menu will change weekly in line with the seasons and the produce available from local farmers, fishermen, growers and suppliers.
Afternoon tea is available throughout the day with a selection of cakes, tea and coffee on offer.
The bar at Kilchrenan Inn is the perfect place to quench your thirst after a hard days walking, cycling or sightseeing and is a popular gathering place for locals. They stock a selection of quality Scottish beer and cider on tap including beer from local brewers Fyne Ales down the road.
If it’s Gin or Whisky you are looking for you are in the right place as they have complemented the largely Scottish selection with a few of the more interesting spirits from around the world.
With a number of wines by the glass and a wide range of soft drinks and carefully sourced tea and coffee the Kilchrenan Inn believe they have all your needs covered.
SLAINTE!
www.facebook.com/kilchrenaninn
www.kilchrenaninn.co.uk
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The Broughton Pubic House and Eatery, Edinburgh
The Broughton Pubic House and Eatery is the latest go-to venue on Broughton Street. The latest venture by Stefano Pieraccini, owner of current ‘CIS Restaurant of the Year’ the Seafood Ristorante in St Andrews and Edinburgh’s first cicchetti bar; the WestRoom on Melville Street in Edinburgh, the Broughton continues in the same vein. Quality food and drink in a relaxing, comfortable environment.
Located on a traditional site the former that was The Phoenix Bar, the Broughton rises from the ashes... to embrace the new, while giving a respectful nod to the familiar, making it a venue that welcomes all.
Stefano said: “We are very excited with this new venture. As when we opened the West Room, it was very different from the Seafood and again this time the Broughton it offers something different. What remains the same is that we give you, your favourite drinks along with consistent refined comfort food and a bloody delicious Sunday Roast. Its why we call it ‘Everyone’s Local’.”
The Broughton is open for business and you can find it near the bottom of Broughton Street. There are menus for all times of the day, if you just wanted a small bite off the bar snacks menu, then to a set lunch/Pre-theatre menu being so close to the Edinburgh Playhouse. Then a full a la carte running Monday – Saturday and their delicious Sunday lunch menu served Sundays 12-5pm.
www.facebook.com/pg/TheBroughtonEdi
www.thebroughtonbar.com
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The Dreel Tavern, East Neuk
One of Anstruthers most historic buildings, the Dreel Tavern has served the area as a venue for fine food and drinks over the years.
Alli, Hannah, family and the team are proud to be the current custodians of this impressive setting, contributing to the growing reputation for businesses within the East Neuk area providing local produce at its very best from the land and the sea.
Apart from the delightful atmosphere available, there is a fantastic beer garden overlooking the Dreel burn, enjoying the sunshine all day long. For those dark winter months, the Dreel boasts a grand open fire to add to that cosy feel whilst enjoying good company and fare.
The East Neuk of Fife is justifiably becoming renowned for the quality of food available in the area. The Dreel Tavern are committed to creating recipes from as much locally sourced produce as possible from both the farm and the fishing boat. The menu will change to accommodate what is available in the changing seasons. In addition, daily specials are offered and a tempting variety of freshly cooked bar snacks and vegetarian options.
A selection of traditional and more contemporary beers to suit all tastes is on offer. Guest ales are on tap and are regularly rotated.
There is an ever-increasing choice of fine whiskys and they are always keen to hear which additional “uisge breatha” you would like to see.
The range of “Mothers Ruin” is expanding every week with many of the superb newcomers’ based in Scotland. Out with the standard garnish of lemon – come explore the many “perfect serves” with Fever-Tree tonic.
A carefully constructed wine list is also available by the glass (125ml), small or large carafe and full bottle.
WEB: www.dreeltavern.co.uk
EMAIL: hello@dreeltavern.co.uk
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/DreelTavern
INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/dreeltavern
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The George, Inveraray
The Clark family have presided over proceedings at The George since 1860. It is the longest continuously owned hotel in Scotland.
They also own the First House built in new Inveraray – finished in 1751. The family influence is evident when you enter The George. The building has been well cared for over the last 250 years. The interior boasts stunning original exposed walls, flagstone floors and antique furniture.
The George also has four open fireplaces on the ground floor. The Cocktail bar is a fabulous mix of Olde World charm with the demands of a modern var. It offers three Real ales, a well-priced wine list and award-winning cocktails and food. The two classically trained French chefs offer simple, desirable Scottish meals as well as more challenging dishes exhibiting their culinary skills that have won them many awards over the years.
The Hotels most recent accolades are Sunday Mail Pub of 2019 & Dram Hotel Bar of 2019, following from the previous Scottish Hotel Awards Town Hotel 2018 and Bar and Dining 2018 2014 Dram Award for best family run pub.
But The George is more than a pub – they have some of the most interesting, individual and quirky bedrooms in Scotland. Some have cosy fireplaces, other have Whirlpool baths and some even have stand alone Victorian baths.
The George offers unbeatable quality at affordable value for all it’s guests. They also have their own boat, Rhiannon, that fishes for local seafood including langoustine, squat lobster and crab.
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