Have a butcher’s at this friendly local with unique beers.. you’ll be hooked

The wind nearly pulled my leggings off when I stepped off the No3 in Partick.

Not a night to be out in the street and Pub Spy needed no reminder, having stopped by Princes Street Gardens at the weekend where the Scottish leg of the World’s Big Sleep Out was happening in Edinburgh.

Organised by Scots charity Social Bite, the event aimed to raise $ 50million with 60,000 fundraisers sleeping out across 50-odd cities around the globe.

But, as I discovered when settling at a table in Six°North, the charity’s bid to make us aware of the plight of those without a home goes beyond high-profile stunts.

Having ordered up a turkey dinner with all the trimmings in this former butcher’s shop, Pub Spy noticed a card on the table subtly suggesting customers donate a few quid or even a full meal for those who don’t have the good fortune to be able to buy the i r own in a place like this at Christmas. A cracker of an idea.

Six°North is an outlet for the independent brewery based in Laurencekirk, one of several around the country offering Belgian-style craft beers from the north- east.

Previously the well- l iked Velvet Elvis, they’ve since smashed an Elvis- sized hole through the wall, joining Six° to what was once the classy deco-themed wine bar Criterion. Frankly, they should have left it as it was – the booths feel makeshift and the space through there is cold and lacks atmosphere.

On the other side, though, it’s a different affair. The original tiles from the old butcher’s shop give the place a sense of history, when Partick was a place where folk went to independent businesses for their messages.

What’s claimed to be the butcher’s old bike hangs from the ceiling and there are meat hooks hanging there too, in case you need something to pick your teeth with after a festive slap-up.

The “Keep Partick Weird” slogan on the tiles might be a straight lift from the famous slogans in Portland, Oregon, and Austin, Texas, but it’s a statement about keeping things authentic, independent and community-rooted.

And the brewery merchandise? If you’re into that sort of thing. I prefer the shops for my clothes.

Six° might be a pub on one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares but, like the best Partick taverns (and there are plenty to choose from), it feels like a trusted local with unique beer, decent food and – with one eye on those less fortunate – its heart in the right place.