WE'VE all dreamed of joining Billy Connolly for a pint. But, while it's unlikely we'll ever bump into the Big Yin, a city bar is offering the next best thing. 

Glasgow Beer Works (GBW), formerly Merchant City Brewing, has today revealed plan's the "city's most Glaswegian beer garden". 

Situated under the John Byrne Billy Connolly mural on Osbourne Street will be an outdoor space for up to 80 guests. 

The team at GBW have been working with a selection of street food vendors, Salt N Chilli, Muerte Por Churros and Fire Dog Gourmet Hotdogs, to design the perfect menu to accompany their brews.

There will also be a range of wines and cutting-edge cocktails most of which have been sourced from smaller, local suppliers.

The timing of the beer garden coincides with a complete brand refresh as the brewers move their production premises to a bigger unit in Glasgow’s East End to allow them to expand.   

Glasgow Times: Billy Connolly, who was voted as the greatest ever Glasgwegian by Glasgow Times readers Billy Connolly, who was voted as the greatest ever Glasgwegian by Glasgow Times readers

The area is free to enter, however punters are encouraged to pre-book a table to avoid missing out on an area for their bubble (four-six people per table).  Social distancing rules will be adhered to along with table service to ensure a relaxing atmosphere. 

The GBW beer garden will be ready to open on Thursday, July 9, pending council approvals and following the latest government advice.

Rhona Wheatley, at GBW, said: “We are thrilled to have an opening date to work towards unveiling our gorgeous Glasgow beer garden.

"The Billy Connolly mural provides the perfect backdrop to our beers, at the heart of which is about celebrating the individual spirit of Glaswegians. We want people to get together and laugh with loved ones face-to-face in a safe environment. 

"A lot of people will know us as Merchant City brewing but as we grow and move into new premises we feel that the time is right for a name change and re-brand, reflective of the vibrant and cool Glasgow that we all love.   

"The safety of our customers and staff is our absolute priority so we’ve planned every aspect of the beer garden to be safe and to prioritise hygiene. We’ll only accept card payments, we’ll be using disposable cups and menus and we’ll frequently clean surfaces in all areas, while all of our staff will be masked and required to wash their hand frequently.

"We plan to open Thursday to Sunday every weekend until the end of August and can’t wait to welcome you. Now all we need to organise is the weather, but not to worry, we’re well prepared for a typically Glasgow summer”. 

To book a table, visit glasgowbeerworks.com.