Sloans

The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.

Set in a cobbled lane off Buchanan Street this self-proclaimed oldest bar in Glasgow is often as packed as the famous shopping street it feeds off, almost guaranteeing a busy and buoyant atmosphere. Polished wood and leather dominate, and these period details fully immerse customers in its Victorian roots. Scottish craft beers lift the offerings beyond mainstream lagers, and cocktails are pretty good too. When it comes to food, there’s a solid gastro offering to counterbalance a traditional spread of burgers, steak pies and sandwiches. A Spanish omelette is thick and moist with the right balance of egg and potato, while a sea bass fillet with potato and spinach curry is a bold choice for a pub kitchen, but excellent, delivering a subtle punch of spice from the sauce. The bar’s famed macaroni options are worth exploring, as are the many social nights, from pub quizzes to ceilidhs and cinema screenings.

• High point: Feels like a local in the city centre
• Low point: Can get noisy