Dear EADith

Just like The List, I was born in 1985. Is there anywhere to celebrate this milestone in Glasgow that’s also 40 years of age?

40YearOldVirgil

Dear 40YearOldVirgil,

Well, as you can imagine, there aren’t too many options. Forty is a ripe old age for any bar, restaurant, human or magazine (I myself have chosen to remain 37 forever). A quick look through The List’s estimable archives suggests some older places, such as Coia’s Café (1928), Ubiquitous Chip (1971) and Café Gandolfi (1979). It’s slim pickings for 1985, but you’re in luck: one of my favourite spots in town, Babbity Bowster, is also 40 this year. 

Babbitys has endeared itself to many Glaswegians over the decades. The building itself, which contains a hotel, upstairs function room and ground-floor bar with beer garden, is a beautiful big Georgian townhouse from around 1790. It was originally part of a long-gone terrace on Blackfriars Street, an oasis of calm off busy High Street.

Babbity Bowster is named after a Scottish dance, and you’ll find occasional live music here. Run by the Mullen family (who also have nearby Rab Ha’s and recently opened Kentigern’s), it’s a transportive place, with a timeless simplicity to the décor of muted greys and well-worn wood. It reminds me of a British village pub mixed with old-school European bar. Drinks blend local and continental too, with Tennent’s, Belhaven and Fyne Ales alongside Budvar, Menabrea and Weihenstephan on tap, though I’m partial to their enticing wine list, with nearly 20 by the glass.

Expect pub classics such as bangers and pies, and Scottish favourites from Cullen skink and macaroni to haggis, neeps and tatties (whimsical menu description: ‘Bloody Tourist’) as well as global influences like nachos and curry. They claim the steak pie is ‘best in show’ and Mr EADith won’t argue; he often enjoys their golden-topped, meat-packed proper pie with none of this pastry-top-only nonsense. The haggis bonbons do the trick for me though: a generous trio of the Scottish delicacy, served with Arran mustard and whisky cream. 

Babbity Bowster, 16–18 Blackfriars Street, Glasgow; average price £25 for two courses.