What can I say about Tennent's that hasn't been said before? Well I could say it's stylish, slick and full of Glasgow's bold and beautiful. However, one look at the community of gruff souls braving wind, rain, snow, sleet, tsunami, nuclear warfare, to have their fags outside would explain why this has remained unsaid before you have even entered.
But Tennent's is a West End institution and while the secret of its success is partially due to its fantastic location in the centre of Byres Road, it's predominantly because it has kept it simple. They know people like cheap drink, they know people like fast, efficient service and they know people like steak pies the size of a small cow.
They also know people like live sport. Unbelievably the introduction of TVs was met with outrage by many of the pub's regulars in the 1990s but it's now hard to imagine this traditional bar without a screen showing everything from the SPL to the Blue Square Premier at every turn of the head. For big matches, Tennent's offers as close to the match day experience as you can get without being at the stadium itself. On these occasions, it's packed to the rafters and almost always maintains a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, even towards the three or four stubborn regulars who persist on taking up two seats with their broadsheets when breathing space is at a premium.
Like them, Tennent's is generally a creature of habit with the introduction of a handy if underwhelming snug of around 25 seats in the old off license next door as close to innovation as the pub has come in recent years. Otherwise, much of the elaborate fittings and grand cornices remain, while the bar cuts a grand horseshoe figure, including an extensive range of whiskys and real ales for the connoisseurs, as well as the old faithfuls for the clientele, myself included, who dismiss anyone who orders something other than a pint of Tennent's and a packet of nuts.
One thing that will never change in this bar is the lack of music. The soundtrack will forever be the chattering of different groups, from football fans who have just watched or returned from the game, to professors, lecturers, students, labourers, OAPs and the large contingent of regulars who frequently mutter away to themselves.
Oh, and let's not forget the steady stream of four legged customers who will frequently be heard barking, either in anticipation of another free snack from bar manager, Alison, or because yet another unsuspecting customer has inadvertently stood on a tale.