Distill

The amount of times I have walked past this place and only really managed to sneak a peak in through the windows is crazy. Then finally, I went in. I can’t say much about it — it was busy but the place is huge so it was all pretty spread out. The music is barely noticable and not too distracting and it has a pretty welcoming atmosphere.
The bar looks incredibly stocked and even had one of the gins that I am dying to try (Eden & Mills Golf Gin, anybody?)
But it’s comfy and has a good vibe as well. I think I would definitely go back

For what this pub is, it’s a-​ok. The staff was nice and the service was quick.
Some friends and I were enjoying some pre dinner drinks here and were able to find a large table to accommodate us all. I’d never been in before, but was pleased with how airy and bright the pub seems– especially on a bright day in Glagsow. Plenty of outdoor seating and loads of seating for bigger parties if you’re so inclined.
I purchased on of a few round of drinks which included two beers, three ciders and a gin and tonic and it came to about £24. Not too bad in my opinion.
We stayed long enough to feel pretty great about life and enjoy some people watching. There was a stag do in the pub at the time of a bunch of dudes dressed up lie 80’s rockers… or more like 80’s wrestlers in bright tights and funky wigs. Fun stuff.
I’d come back!

Laid back bar with an impressive rum selection. The bartenders have great knowledge that they’re willing to share. They are very casual so the bar can be a little chaotic at times and the cocktails might be a bit hit or miss but still a great place to hang out for a drink.

I used to come to Distill all the time because I love rum and rum is very much their thing. Sure, they do have other options, actually they have a brilliantly well-​stocked bar, but I’m here for the rum.
Their selection is wider than in any other bar I’ve been in (please feel free to point me to any bar with a better one) and the staff are very happy to help you choose one you haven’t tried before, provided it’s not too busy. This is a popular place in «the UK’s hippest place to live» so it definitely does get busy sometimes.
Their cocktail menu is nice too, with highlights being the Dark and Stormy (my personal favourite) and the Venezuelan Frappé, which is like a milk shake for grown ups.
I’m always tempted by the food, it all looks and sounds great, but somehow I’ve only ever eaten here once, a fair few years ago now, and for breakfast. It was good but a bit odd, with some slightly strange options thrown in and while it wasn’t my favourite breakfast ever it wouldn’t put me off coming back for the burgers. Really though, I’m here for the rum.

I really liked the look of Distill both from the outside and the inside — when we visited the interior was basked in natural light creating a really nice environment for a casual drink. We went in at 12 on a Thursday afternoon so it lacked people and therefore atmosphere, but that’s not Distill’s fault.
The layout was great, soft booth seating as soon as you walk in and a more intimate restaurant setting at the back. We sat in one of the booths and were immediately approached by the extremely welcoming girl working behind the bar, we weren’t sure what we wanted so she gave us plenty of time to browse the drinks and lunch menu before making our choice. One thing i liked was that when we finally decided what we wanted she allowed us to set up a tab, I loved this relaxed feeling towards payment!
We only stayed for one drink in the end as it was approaching lunch but I’d love to revisit distill at 6pm on a Friday, I’d say it’s bouncing and those still decks are spinning. It’s got to be four stars as I didn’t experience it with people there!

Popped down for brunch one sunny Sunday morning, to find a new menu and a pleasing level of hangover-​curing techno playing. Sat outside and ate delicious thai eggs, eggs hollondaise & mac & cheese. Lovely staff, food was great, think we could be back here…

Distill is one of those places I’ve just never really fallen in love with, or hated — so I’ve never been able to review it. I’ve actually been here about 3 – 4 times now, and while I’ve never had a terrible experience it just hasn’t really won me over.
But last night I popped in for post-​dinner drinks and actually, I think I finally know what this bar is all about. It’s a casual bar and actually serves a good purpose in Finnieston where there’s quite a few upmarket cocktail bars. This is perfect for a beer and a comfy seat, and the staff are really friendly. We just had a pint (Joker IPQ for Jonny Q) and I had Apple Ale (oh yeh). Prices were reasonable as that came to about £8 and we were able to get a seat no worries on a Wednesday night when the Finnieston over the road was full.
It’s a relaxed bar so don’t expect anything fancy, but it’s not grotty or dirty, and has a good atmosphere and tunes. I actually quite like Distill now, it just took a few goes before I finally got it.

I really enjoyed this cool random bar that super star Glasgow CM Briony C took us too.
It was fairly quiet for a weds night but still had a great atmosphere and was the perfect place to finish off the evening with a relaxed night cap!
Playing a great mix of funky tunes that seemed heavy on using original hiphop samples, we grabbed a window seat and settled into a Joker IPA and an apple ale — all on the money.
This whole area was very cool — great bars, restaurants etc — can’t wait to get back here!

Thought I would update my Distill review as I was in recently for food. Perhaps I am showing my age as the staff appeared to be in fancy dress, no problem but did give it a bit of a try-​hard feel when somebody dressed like a Jane Fonda video is taking your order. The food was ok but not quite sure it’s «restaurant quality» and this stretch of Argyle St has come up so much recently with great new places that I think Distill is now just 3 stars rather than 4.

Dropped in here on boys night pub crawl crawl on Saturday.
My first thought was ‘I didn’t know this was a gay bar’. And then, ‘aah, it’s not’. Basically this is an old man’s pub, but full of guys 25 – 50, and a few ladies.
So, the music was quite insanely loud, and it was mentally busy so we only stayed for a couple of pints. I don’t know if it still has the huge rum selection it used to — but I’ll be back sometime to check it out.
The Ivy sits on the corner and has an entrance from both streets.

Why have I not reviewed Distill yet?
I think I was waiting to try the food as well, but with all the other new food places springing up it seems less and less likely I ever will. So this review is just based on it being a beer destination and for that it is as good as most venues around Finneston.
They have some decent bottled beers on offer such as Goose Island and Brooklyn. The staff are always very friendly and when the sun is out it is great to sit outside with a beer and watch the world go by.
There isn’t anything to shout really loud about for Distlil, nothing that makes is standout from other bars, it just a good pub serving decent beer.
If you want a casual couple of drinks in an atmosphere which is a bit less pretentious than some other pubs in the area, this place is certainly a decent option.

I am always in here — the staff are gear always busy and playing some great tunes. The pizzas are great. Must try the Rum cocktails

This place is all about the rum, rum and more rum. lovely. Watch out for a bearded, drunken, past it photographer though. He’s a pest.

It always shocks me to find a bar I have visited and never checked in or reviewed. Well here goes.
This is another one of Glasgow’s lovely rum hangouts. A fabulous liquor selection primarily run but good selection of vodka, whisky, gin and bourbon. Don’t expect to see you basic Smirnoff or glens here. They have a nice selection of keg beers from Tennents to stella and from hoegaarden to joker ipa.
Prices aren’t too bad atmosphere is nice and relaxed with some nice bar staff.
One thing I haven’t tried is their food which I must do at some point.
If you are on the west end of argyle street it is well worth popping in here along with the usual suspects.

I might be the tiniest wee bit biased here, but I think Distill (formerly The Ivy) is fab. I’ve been here on fast-​paced summer afternoons and bitterly chilly weekday mornings (it’s my local) and every time I visit I’m met with friendly faces and delicious beverages.
Since Esad of Glasgow bread-​making fame has taken over the kitchen the food has gone from pretty tasty to mind-​bogglingly delicious. The burgers are so tender they quite literally melt in your mouth and the buns are perfectly matched to the different fillings.
Music here is always great too. It’s my favourite place to go before a big night out – nothing gets you in the mood more than a tequila verdita shot and a mini tour of the beer fridge/​wine list/​rum shelf. I’d even go as far to say that The Ivy can turn into the best venue for a weekend night out.
One of the only places I could stay from morning until midnight, summer or winter. G2 crosswords and creamy coffees in the AM, and really great quality booze in the PM (including wintery hot buttered rum, YUM).
Absolute must for anyone who’s tastes are a bit more refined and varied than Smirnoff and Morgan’s Spiced.

Popped in here for a drink after lunch today (yes, drinking at 2:30pm, may be considered alcoholism!)
My only complaint is that the windows are blacked out/​barred, so it’s difficult to judge the place before you go in! But we ventured blindly, and liked what we saw! It was a relatively quiet place, but I’m sure it can get very busy; being a music venue and all. We sat in a booth up the back and ordered a drink. They do serve food which I’ll have to try, but we’d just had lunch, so food was not on the menu today!
Drinks were lovely (though a bit pricey!), and staff were lovely. Would definitely give this place a try again!

Upon entering the bar from the Argyle St entrance you need to go through a pokey wee door with a small window which reminded me of a strip joint ever so slightly, so that was a wee bit exciting unsure where we would end up! However me and Marty were rather dry so felt like a wee g&t and a vodka & Irn Bru. So in we went!!!
This bar hosts a well stocked bar, but not of your usual drinks such as Gordon’s gin, Smirnoff vodka and martel brandy. The brands in this bar are a bit more exquisit!
In total the G&T and Vodka & Irn Bru came to £9.40. This was quite a cosy we place and therefore we will go back! (But maybe a for a wee night on the town this time!!)

So a plan was made and a venue was chosen. The plan was to grab some cocktails with my fellow Unilocalers and The Ivy was the destination… we chose well!
I’ve been aware of this place for ages now, but with so many cool bars in the area I’d just never taken the step and sauntered in. I think one of the reasons behind my reluctance to pop in is the blacked out windows of the bar. Normally I have a good gander in the windows of a place to see if I fancy partaking in a pint. Is is busy? Is it full of tools? Well, with these daft windows, you kinda just need to take the gamble and fire in. Well, I’m here to tell you that once you get by that initial barrier, you’ll find an amazingly comfy, laid-​back, friendly, well stocked and well staffed joint.
So, with cocktails as the plan I started off the evening with a pint of Williams Bros Joker IPA. Like you do. Good selection of beer on tap in here with the Joker being the pick of the bunch for me. Cocktail wise, I had read a review that made mention of their El Presidente concoction, so dutifully ordered one of these bad boys along with a couple of other staff recommendations.
All very well made, tasty and (ooooft ma heid) heavy on the booze. Price wise, it’s kinda what you’d expect to pay for good cocktails and craft. So, for three El P’s expect to add a quid to that 20 you’re about to hand over!
Couple of other things to mention on this one. THey have some seating available outside, which given that it’s on a side road, is not to loud and actually quite nice to chill out in the sun. Apparently they also do some kick ass grub and if the smells from the kitchen are anything to judge it on, then I’d have to agree!
This place is now on my map. I shall return. I implore you to see beyond the daft windows and pop in for a pint/​cocktail and salute El Presidente!
All in all, a great wee place

I went here for an extended lunch with a friend (a freelance writer so the meal was free, yay!) and it was a great experience. The Ivy is a cute pub but has restaurant quality food and knowledgeable and friendly staff. I had cauliflower soup to start, followed by a Turkey Christmas dinner, and everything was excellent. The soup was flavoursome and textured (not one of those horrible baby purée deals), whilst the Christmas dinner was much more than mere novelty — the Turkey was beautifully cooked whilst the vegetables were prepared in interesting ways that complimented each other very well. The portions, if anything, were a little on the gut-​busting side of size and at the end of the meal I was considering loosening my belt a little.
Very special compliments to the amazing resident barman and accurately self proclaimed «Rum expert», who truly changed my mind about this oft overlooked spirit. I tried several recommended varieties and I definitely think straight over orange peel is the way to go. So many friggin’ rums — who knew! Five stars to the Rum Guy alone.
Being a lunch visit, The Ivy was reasonably quiet but had a nice, chilled ambience and relaxed, talkative staff. I’d definitely come back here for an evening drink and for sure for another meal.

This a nice wee pub /​restaurant with huge big cushions on the leather sofas. There is a DJ playing a great variety of music. They have a chef that makes food up until 9 pm at night and it’s very tasty.
They also have a possessed idol from a South American tribe, half way up the Amazon, which, unless properly restrained, creates havoc with the bar owners and the rest of the staff. It sits on the top shelf above the bar and is tied down with lots of orange cord to make sure it doesn’t jump off onto any staff members below.
the IQ or intellectual level is slightly higher than most pubs, everyone looks like they’ve got a degree in something or other. The women all greet each other with a kiss that misses the ear.
There were two people serving behind the bar that seemed to be constantly making cocktails. The cocktail shaker must have been new as the girl making the cocktails kept struggling to open it after a shake. The prices are a bit more expensive than other bars on this street, probably to keep the riff-​raff out. They are friendly though.
No TV in the place, which is good for a change. The décor is interesting enough.