Robert in lockdown!
Well, after a long and arduous four months since we were plunged into lockdown last March, the news came this week that every cèilidh dancing, Gaelic singing, kilt swinging, whisky drinking Highlander has been waiting for.
It’s the moment we have dreamed of throughout those long days of Zoom meetings and day time television. It’s the light that has helped so many through this incredibly dark tunnel.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you’ve guessed it. The Park Bar is opening its doors!
Their Facebook announcement triggered an outpouring of Highland joy unseen since Ben Nevis won the Grand National in 1980 – or they announced the Mòd was returning to Glasgow in 2019.
The post garnered more than 600 likes, and many hundreds of shares and comments expressing relief, celebration, and jubilation.
The legendary John Carmichael even posted a commemorative video playing a set of Gaelic waltzes on the box – although John revealed he unfortunately won’t make the opening day because that’s the night he has to do the dishes.
The Glasgow Gaelic diaspora can now emerge from its long imposed hibernation and enjoy a mixed grill, a malt of the month, and a good cèilidh.
It will, however, be a cèilidh with a difference as the pub follows all the appropriate covid-19 guidance to the letter. There will be no live music in the pub as yet; tables must be booked in advance and are all very clearly two metres apart; it will be table service only; and staff will be wearing masks.
While it has been great to see the city opening up again in the last week or so with pub beer gardens being busy, it is so important that we all remain aware that we are far from out of the woods yet where this awful virus is concerned.
The Park Bar’s video on Facebook made it very clear that strict social distancing measures will be in place – as they are throughout all similar establishments in Glasgow.
Those famous doors were scheduled to open again on Wednesday (I had booked my table!), so I dare say there will be a few hazy heads reading their Oban Times this morning (Thursday!). I shall report next week on what I’m sure will be a successful day and evening.
In other Glasgow-related hospitality news, the opening of beer gardens the week prior to pubs opening seems to have gone relatively smoothly. I thought I had better sample a few last week for research purposes for my column.
Bar Brel on Ashton Lane has a fantastic beer garden behind it (serving excellent food), with wooden benches and tables, all two metres apart, and fire pits to keep everyone warm in what was an unpredictable week of weather.
I have also heard good reports about the food and drink at massive temporary beer gardens at Cranside Kitchen and SWG3.
The adaptability of all these business has been great to see – but nothing will beat a wee dram with the dulcet tones of Donald Macrae playing from the Park Bar CD player!