The location for the pub scenes in that celebration of the dysfunctional, the Rab C Nesbitt television series, is now the home of Budvar’s first Half and Half dispense unit in Glasgow. Located on Argyle Street, what was the Two Ways bar in Nesbitt days has become the Brass Monkey when it recently reopened its doors.
Its new owners, Russell and Caroline Buchanan, say their creation is in keeping with the upwardly mobile nature of Argyle Street, regarded by some as the City’s new West End. The very decision to offer the Budvar Half and Half concept signals that this is a bar for the more sophisticated and aspirational drinker, a far cry from Rab and friends.
A first for Scotland but well established in Budvar’s home, the Czech Republic, Half and Half involves the Budvar duo font. Dispensing both Original and Dark Budvars by activating a third tap on the unit, a blend of the two beers, Half and Half, can be dispensed.
Caroline Buchanan is the manager of the Brass Monkey as her husband, Russell, is very much on the other side of the bar as Scottish Sales Director for wine merchant Hallgarten Druitt. Estimating that sales will be that 80% wet 20% food and with a capacity for a 100 customers she says the bar design concept, in furnishing and colour, will emphasise the light and airy assisted by the maximum use of glass.
There are currently no plans to display Nesbit memorabilia (“not even a string vest” says Caroline) but she has already heard on the grape-vine that a new series is being planned and the Brass Monkey could possibly have a role in it.- suggesting that even Rab and friends are now upwardly mobile.
