Avant Garde

I pass by Avant Garde every couple of days — during the week it’s completely empty, but come the weekend it’s jam packed.
It’s a huge open plan area with a big central bar. I love the feel of this place — it’s all light and warm with some pretty cool artwork on the back wall.
On weekends there’s always live music. Often jazz or old swing bands — and the place gets crazy busy — and you’ll often see folks dancing as you pass.
When I went in to meet some friends late on a Friday night, there was a dj on — and was really loud even though the crowd was thinning out!
This is somewhere I definitely want to come back to for to see oone of the bands.

I’ve always walked past this place and thought that it looks like good fun. So, I was pleased to be invited to a party here. This was a smallish get together for a group of around twenty people. A small room out the back had been organised and a buffet booked. The room at the back had no bar and was brightly lit and quite cold, with chairs stacked around the walls. Not to worry though as the idea was that we would use the room for the buffet and have drinks in the main bar so that we could enjoy the fabulous band they had on. For the size of the place and the time of the year (December) the place was busy but certainly not packed. The big problem with this place was the service. I have never experienced anything like it. It took around twenty minutes to get served at the bar, the delay being not because they were so busy, but rather because the staff just could not be bothered. To call them sloth like would be an insult to sloths. On complaining to the manager about the time taken to be served, a member of the party was told «tough». In the end, the party had to be ended early and we wandered off to find another venue. The manager was informed that we would be leaving, and again he seemed unconcerned and offered no apology. We received a great welcome from a place called Mercado, in Merchant Square. Unfortunately we had to leave the buffet.

Not usually down here, but was in need of a cold drink after some epic Glasgow Green frisbee action and this place was just what I was after.
Nice open layout, with a central bar area and big windows. Cool and airy, with plenty of seating. They also have a pool table!
Super quiet when I was in, but from what I hear they put on a lot of live music including ballroom dancing?
Would like to go back and sample the food menu, where for now, what I can say is it has a great selection at the bar (but sadly no bottled cider, my summer favourite) and lovely staff.

Lauries got a new name, a lick of paint, a bit of a polish and lo and behold, we have Avant Garde.
It still very much retains the Jazz club feel of old, but has a more inviting presence.
I had intended to check out some live jazz music at the weekend. I know nothing about jazz music, but I’m game, so I picked here.
I was initially disappointed that there was a ceilidh on instead. Now my idea of a ceilidh is a lot of formal kilt wearing and invited guests. That initial disappointment was soon replaced with respectful awe and shocked joy. This ceilidh wasn’t by invite only. It wasn’t a private function. There wasn’t anything formal about it. It was just a bunch of cheerful folk, in a pub, dancing the Dashing White Sergeant or Stripping The Willows because they wanted to. An eclectic mix of old and young, student and business person, sailor and… well, another sailor sitting next to me. By jove, I was having fun just watching them.
I asked the barmaid how often this happens. «Every Saturday».
Is it this popular every Saturday? «Oh yes, every Saturday».
I had no idea. I’ve lived 2 blocks away, practically on the same street for 14 years and I had no idea.
Will I be back? You can bet your Eightsome Reel I will.

I’m giving Laurie’s 5 stars purely due to the fantastic ceilidh they host every Saturday night. Great band (which changes every week), wonderful turn out and friendly staff who will patiently show you the steps if you don’t know them. Plus it’s free… yes FREE — my favourite price
The bar itself is a strange cross of student union and old-​man pub; not the most glamorous place but the bar staff are lovely. Well worth a visit.

From the outside Laurie’s doesn’t look like much and it is easy to see why many folk simply walk past without even acknowledging it’s there. If you venture inside though I think you will find yourself pleasantly surprised.
It is a lot sharper and more modern than you would expect but still has a touch of rough around the edges dive bar charm about it. As someone who doesn’t go to see a lot of live music as most of the artists I like are dead (Billie Holiday, Marvin Gaye and such like) my friend recommended I check out Laurie’s. When I heard it was a «live music bar» I had visions of young guys who look like they need a good wash playing indie music which they think is hugely original but which to my ears sounds like everything else. I ventured on to the website and was delighted to see that in actual fact Laurie’s hosts live jazz, country, folk and bluegrass bands.
The bar’s owner who is called Cy is a well known traditional Scottish folk singer who really knows his stuff and is passionate about the kinds of live music you can see in his bar. Laurie’s is a stronghold of the Celtic Connections fringe and hosts a FREE ceilidh every Saturday so if you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy some time honored traditional music and dancing in a warm and friendly atmosphere then give Laurie’s a go.

Half of me is surprised to be the first to review this place; it is, after all, situated on one of the most high profile streets in the city centre.
The other half, however, is not, given that I only just realised myself that it is a pub.
I think I always had it down as a music shop, based primarily on the gig posters and the fact you can’t actually see inside. However, it was only when meeting friends in here recently that I spotted the Belhaven Best sign jutting out.
While this is usually the international sign of jaikie, generally speaking Laurie’s is a pretty decent bar, primarily based around live music and showcasing a wide range of local talent from a variety from genres. It was bluegrass when I visited, and very good it was too.
Opening hours seem a little inconsistent, it shut at 7pm on this occasion, almost straight after the band had finished, although it does promise an 8pm ceilidh every Saturday night.
Wide and spacious with a small stage at the front, the obligatory jaikies any city centre bar with a pool table attracts are far enough way for you to enjoy the music without hassle. All in all, a bizarre place well worth visiting for a holler and a swaller.