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Lock 27
Reviewed by
Emily Donoho
Lock 27 reopened in December under new
ownership, and I decided to pay it a visit,
on my bike, of course, as it sits on the
canal in Anniesland with a beer garden
overlooking the water.
In March, it was too chilly for the beer
garden, but I’m sure people will make use of
it in the summer. In its previous incarnation,
the pub was gloomy inside, with a lot of tatty,
dark green upholstery, but the new – and
definitely improved – Lock 27 is bright and
roomy. They have moved the bar from the
centre of the pub to the back and made it
more or less one big room, with a few more
tables on a raised stage and a corner around
one side. The colour scheme is neutral and
contemporary, emphasising space and light.
It’s set up as more of a restaurant than a
pub, although it has a few bar stools in the
middle and a bench off to one side for those
fancying just a drink.
It doesn’t sell cask ales but has an
extensive range of beer on tap including
Twisted Thistle, Guinness, Tennents,
Belhaven Best, Coors Lite, Craft Pilsner,
Birra Moretti, and Amstel, as well as two
Strongbows for cider fans. They also have
more than ten varieties of gin. I tried one
in a G-and-T, which they jazzed up with
raspberries and blueberries in the bottom
of the glass. I hadn’t had that before, but it
added zesty flavours to the drink. The pub
has plenty of wine, mixers for cocktails, and
at least ten different malt whiskies. There’s
pretty much a drink for everyone.
The food is tasty and affordable. This isn’t
a food review, but I will say that they do an
excellent fajita.
It has two big TV screens, so probably
gets busy during major rugby or football
games, but if you want to watch sports,
it’s an airy, open space to do so. They also
do a pub quiz on Tuesdays. The pub is dog
friendly, which is sensible given its location.
The only real quibble I have is that it could
be more bike-friendly. They provide a small,
low-security bike rack, which only lets you
secure one wheel. If you want a D-lock on the
bike’s frame, you have to wrestle awkwardly
with it around the canal railings while trying
to not drop the lock in the canal. As spring
approaches and more people cycle the canal,
a big bike rack like the ones around the
university and City Centre would definitely be
an asset.
Lock 27
1100 Crow Road G13 1JT
0141 954 1144
lock27glasgow.co.uk