Glasgow bar turning 25 says 'attention to detail' sets them apart

Standing by the entrance because it’s where he could get a signal on his mobile phone, Colin overhead the man say: "This guy’s opened this pub, and it’s not finished, there's nae roof and he’s got nothing on the floor. 

"He’s aff his heid."

But 25 years later, the Gordon Street institution is still going strong and not much has changed inside.  

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Colin and Josh (Image: Robert Perry) There’s still the tables made from durable Douglas Fir, lighting made from high-carbon steel, concrete floors and leather pads which can be changed "at the drop of a hat". 

Colin, who has lived in The Netherlands and Spain, says he was inspired by European beer culture and used to go to Stravaigan on his break to enjoy a beer or would go to The Greek Taverna in Strathbungo which sourced "unusual beers". 

"I owned pubs and I hated the style," the 64-year-old explains.  

"After three years, the style was gone and you had to rename it, rebrand it.  

"I hated s*** beer, I hated lager beers that were brewed under license so I thought I’m going to open up a new place."

(Image: Robert Perry) Colin says there were previously German-style bars in Glasgow in the ‘70s but there wasn’t anything similar when he opened up with it now serving between 60 and 70 verities of beer. 

Bier Halle has a bank of chillers, making sure every glass of beer customers enjoy is nice and cold while the pipes are cleaned out once a week to ensure there is no yeast build up.  

"What you get is the perfect lager," Colin says.  

"When you put your nose to a lager you should smell nothing.  

"How many times have you been at a nightclub and they’ve given you a warm beer?  

"And I don’t have a pint, I have a half pint because the next half pint will be fresh."

He continues: "When you walk down into this basement, the lighting’s right, the smell is right, the music’s perfect, with way we've designed the sound system you can still talk."

His son Josh adds: "The attention to detail is what really sets us apart and makes a difference."

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(Image: Robert Perry) On Friday, November 29, punters will be able to "party like its 1999" as Bier Halle celebrates its 25th anniversary.  

An all-day celebration will bring together legendary resident DJs as the cost of Bier Halle’s own lager will be rolled back to the 1999 price of £2.50.  

The event will be open to the public, and there will also be a new menu which is inspired by previous versions and there will be a canopy service of their "greatest hits" including pizza and goulash.  

While 25 years is no mean feat, Colin says it doesn’t surprise him that they’re here celebrating a quarter of a century.  

(Image: Robert Perry) "I had no doubts [Bier Halle would still be open]," he confesses.   

"I’ve done 44 places and this has been the best.” 

"I don’t know if I’ll be here in 25 years, but hopefully he’ll [Joshua] have kids and they’ll be in here."

He continues: "There’s an eclectic mix of people, families, cool young dudes, clubbers, students, football crowds, everyone loves Bier Halle."

Joshagrees that the bar is a welcoming space for "everybody" and says it also created a "whole new element" to Glasgow’s bar culture with their outdoor terrace on Gordon Street.  

The 34-year-old says: "It’s an inclusive space and very accessible to everybody and everybody’s always welcome and anyone can have a great night out here and feel very comfortable and safe."

He continues: "The terrace was another one he [Colin] spearheaded and created that kind of café culture that every other European city has that we didn’t."