There’s nothing like the sound of a cocktail shaker on a Monday afternoon to focus the attention. Yesterday we briefly popped into Phillies of Shawlands to fire off some emails, but there were continous distractions. Reminders, really, that this is a neighbourhoood bar for good times. Sticking to the task at hand, we ordered a coffee, instead of a lychee and coconut daiquiri. Next time.
Brothers Conor and Luke Miskimmin, who established Redmond’s as a hipster favourite in Dennistoun, transformed what was Ketchup, which had lain empty, into a place for craft beer, listening to records and enjoying some food. The designed-to-be-cool Brooklyn influence is strong, but there’s also the obvious Glasgow aspect with space for local produce and breweries.
One of the two entrances to Phillies takes you through Curious Liquids, a modern booze shop selling wine from off the beaten track and a quirky selection of weird and wonderful beers, all available to take home or have while you are in the bar. There’s a mind-boggling 300 different options.
Magic Rock, Fallen Brewing and Cromarty have taps at the bar, along with the more mainstream Tennent’s and Magners.
The stylish couches beside the window are the best place to lounge. Which is what we ended up doing yesterday, eventually succoming to the temptation to order a sourdough pizza. It’s a very easy space to linger and lose a few hours.
Pizza toppings include tomato, chicken, mozzarella and sweetcorn (we have no problem with sweetcorn on a pizza). Or artichoke base, spinach, olives, sun-dried tomatoes and rocket. We opted for the tomato, chorizo, red onion and chorizo oil version for £7.50. You can order a smaller pizzette for a fiver.
The sourdough base was different to the moist Neapolitan style that’s particularly fashionable in the city right now. It had a bit more of a crunch, like an American pizza. The fat chunks of chorizo on top confirmed we had made the right choice. Slices were consumed at a ferocious rate.
Elsewhere on the menu, look for the roasted scallops with butternut squash and pine nuts, fried chicken with hot sauce, hay smoked chicken or blackened cod. More than your average bar snacks.
When the bar first opened, co-owner Luke Miskimmin, told Glasgowist: ‘We love what’s going on in Shawlands and are really happy to now be a part of it.
“It’s a neighbourhood bar and a place for the people of Shawlands. To be honest, we just want to give folk a great place to try stuff and be social.’
We’d say this mission has been accomplished.
Phillies of Shawlands
1179 Pollokshaws Road
Glasgow
G41 3YH
T: 0141 616 6555
