Heaven for trendy cocktail lovers.. with a bit of haggis in the mix too

It’s one of Scotland’s most stylish hangouts where you can drink sophisticated cocktai ls… but the Metropolitan bar in Glasgow also serves up a mean plateful of haggis, neeps and tatties.

Metropolitan is at the heart of Glasgow’s trendy Merchant City party area and is chic, urbane and cool.

The comprehensive cocktail menu boasts more than 50 alcoholic concoctions, from classics such as Cosmopolitans, White Russians and Mojitos to the even more exotic. There’s even a come-on for customers to challenge their bartender to invent creative twists.

The décor oozes sophistication with sleek neon l ighting, fashionable furnishings and even live music in a piano bar room upstairs. But despite all the upmarket charm, Pub Spy’s other half seized on the Metropolitan’s nod to Scottish cuisine by opting for the traditional haggis dish. Washed down with a pint.

No roast fillet of Cajun salmon, pan-seared French trim chicken or shallot tarte tatin for him. Or Kiwi and Elderflower Cobbler cocktail.

They do say opposites attract. So, in the interests of research, I made sure I availed myself of Metropolitan’s more fashionable delights.

The bar is an ideal hotspot to enjoy a romantic dinner.

Despite shaking up a plethora of cocktails on a busy Friday evening, the service the night we were there was attentive and swift.

We star ted in the bar downstairs, watching the hustle and bustle of Glasgow’s thr iv ing Merchant Cit y through the window.

Our meal on the balcony upstairs felt almost as if we were enjoying continental cafe culture… haggis aside.

The bar’s balcony overlooks the impressive enclosed Merchant City courtyard. The roof means those sitting in beer “gardens” around the square are protected from the worst weather Scotland can offer. Not a problem at the moment.

After, we shared a cosy booth for more drinks as a live piano player entertained everyone.

But it isn’t cheap. You pay £5.80 for a pint of Peroni. And a Mojito will set you back £7.95, which is probably what you’d expect to pay in a swanky cocktail bar.

The vibrant Metropolitan lived up to its name. It made us feel we were in London… with a bit of haggis thrown in.