A Glasgow pub has been namechecked in a list of the best ‘dive bars’ in Europe - and the city centre spot even made it into the top 10.
For anyone unfamiliar with the term, it’s an American colloquialism about a neighbourhood bar - the kind of place with regulars, rather than trendy specials.
The Variety Bar came in at number eight on the list, created by website Big 7 Travel and voted for by 1.5 million online community members.
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Big 7 calls the Sauchiehall Street boozer a “classic Glasgow pub with an American retro feel, there’s a nice mix of regulars who have been drinking here for years alongside a younger crowd who are just discovering The Variety Bar as it’s under new management. Stop by for some chats and a pint.”
The vote, as well as a panel of food and drink experts, also took into account online reviews and media coverage for the top 50.
Each country was allowed at least one entry, with the website adding a cheeky note “which yes, still includes the United Kingdom!”
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You may remember The Variety appearing in Glasgow Live last year, when new owner Michael Bergson took over. The man behind Buck’s Bar and SoHo was determined that “it needs to stay the Variety” , adding a few new touches but retaining regulars - and spreading the word about what an institution the place was in the 80s and 90s.
New additions included neon signs which read ‘No Mean Pub’ and Established 1970’ - but the iconic fish tank inside stayed put, to the delight of regulars.
The Variety was pipped to the top spot on Big 7’s list by Last Waterhole in Amsterdam, Tiki Taky Bar in Prague, Two Schmucks in Barcelona, The Dolphin in London, QP Pub in Bucharest, Who Hit John in Vilnius and Pijana Wisnia in Warsaw at number one.
