The Loft

What is happening to the largest establishment on the ever-​lovely Ashton Lane?!
Yes, Ashton Lane is largely composed of G1 pubs which a group of people actively oppose, but the majority are aware of and enjoy regardless. You don’t expect anything distinct, unique or different from G1 but you know the prices are average, the drinks and cocktails dependable — and they’re everywhere! So slightly hard to avoid.
I came to the Lane originally for their £2 cocktail deal (Mon — Thurs) and was told it was closing for 3 hours, but we could take our drinks upstairs. Fair enough. Up we trotted, to find the Loft in a state of disaray. It’s being refurbed apparently. The doors were wide open, it was cold, the walls had no plaster… Yes, all this can be forgiven if they ARE refurbing.
However, the cocktails that sounded as though they should be delicious were bland and didn’t have that «kick» of alcohol at the back of your throat that a good cocktail should. The staff were friendly, and when the forgot my chips brought them out right after I’d asked, so made up for the original forgetfulness.
However, my Wednesday evening cocktail-​after-​work visit was a bit of a disappointment. G1 used to assure good quality, at the cost of it being generic. The whole experience last night was a little bland. And for it being such a gorgeous venue and open space, it’s a wasted potential.

We got there around 7 on a Sunday evening, and everything was fine. Not great, but perfectly fine — decent selection of things on tap, a not-​too-​pricey menu with various things that sounded good and would be able to accommodate a group of people with varying tastes, and comfortable (ish) chairs and tables in a nice, big, airy space.
After an hour or so though, for some reason, the lights went dim and the music (consisting of various bad remixes of things like R-​E-​S-​P-​E-​C-​T) got cranked up so loud that I had to scream at the person next to me just to have a conversation. Looking around, the place was pretty sparsely populated with a couple dozen other people also leaning over their tables to shout at their friends.
I asked the manager (politely, mind you) if there was any way to turn the music down just a little, and he said, «No, but you can go somewhere else that’s quieter. People COME here FOR the music.» Really? Nice customer service there, buddy. I hate to tell you, but nobody was there for that music. Perhaps the gaggle of drunk guys taking pictures of themselves making rude faces and gestures at each other by the bar didn’t MIND it as much, but I seriously doubt a single one of them said, «hey, let’s go to the Loft! They play the best music there!»
As one of my group observed, the music would’ve been fine for a Friday or Saturday night, or if there actually had been a crowd of people who wanted to dance, but it was a Sunday evening, when the college kids weren’t even around. I’m told that this is a decent place to go during the day and early evening, and I’d believe it, but I’m really not motivated to go back. I don’t think it’s that I’m too old for places like this; it’s that I get irritated when people are lame and obnoxious.

Ashton Lane… romantic cobblestones and fairy lights. For a wee lane, it’s jam-​packed with restaurants, bars and a cinema. From the modest exterior, you wouldn’t expect much. However, the Loft’s name evokes the expectation of being airy… and when you walk up the stairs and step foot inside the French doors, you experience the vastness that used to be a cinema. The Loft is a beautiful grandiose space, with moulded ceiling, and it’s contemporary theatre-​theme compliment the design and it’s legacy.
Décor and space aside… it’s always been a meh experience. I don’t know what draws me here when I’m on Ashton Lane, but it definitely can’t be the food. The drink prices can be a bit high, and the food is generic and uninspiring (typical G1 cuisine). The food, from pizzas to sandwiches have all been blah. Pastas either have been undercooked, or pizzas rocket-​happy (there was an entire plant on the pizza!). The crowd is always mixed with young professionals, trendy baby boomers, and even students. It’s an ok place for a quick casual drink, but I wouldn’t recommend the food at all.
The sweet and lowdown: open until midnight. For those who don’t mind bland generic food (and you’re skint) then you can go for 2−4−1 pizzas (students all the time; everyone else Monday through Friday from 12p-​5p).

Right then. Now i know this place has been reviewed on numerous occasion and the general consensus appear to be that its pretty half decent if a little on the pricey side… an opinion i would be pretty much hard pushed to argue with, however, one feature of this place ain’t really been touched on, or if it has i ain’t read it yet, and that is its family friendly nature.
Now most pubs, or gastro pubs, will have a couple of high chairs kicking around and generally don’t mind making a few allowance s for the small squishy type ones (children!), however this place is just kick ass swarming in babies, toddlers and children racing around having a whale of a time whist the parental units enjoy a bit of grub, ra football and or a cheeky wee half pint.
I would recommend this place to anyone with kids who is looking to grab some grub or meet up with some friends with your kids… chuck em in one of those wee car things, or get there face painted (only on the weekends, Sunday i think) and they will be happy as Larry while you catch up with the real world.

Take heed.
The loft is situated on the ‘G1 side’ of Ashton Lane. Something that I find quite troubling. Anyway, to start with The Loft has a beautiful interior of an old cinema, complete with huge old school projector in the middle of the bar. It has a first floor bar and seating area and a balconny over looking the bar for a more formal dinner service.
I’ve been here a number of times for drinks and only once for dinner. The food was, well, poor. I had meatballs to start which were anything but homemade and were so hot they had obviously been introduced to the inside of a microwave only minutes before. Pasta was pasta, I could have done better myself.
The reason it gets two stars despite being utterly disapointed with the food, is that it is very family friendly at the weekend. While I dont agree with allowing children in all bars (occasionally take them to the park?) I think its nice that they open their doors to the offspring of our race and let their parents enjoy a relaxing drink at the same time. Game days too are good as they project the football onto big screens, though you wont find me there as the bar is extremely busy.
The G1 comment needs little explanation. You wont find any nice beers or wines here, and you’ll pay a lot more for the regular stuff just because its on Ashton Lane. If you’re coming to Glasgow or entertaining and you desperately want to go to Ashton Lane, support some of the privately owned ones on the other side of the Lane. You’ll still be paying premium prices, but you’ll enjoy the surroundings and the beer much more.

I sometimes have to ask myself why I keep returning to the Loft. Not because its a bad place, it is a great place, it’s just damn expensive. Two pints of lager will set you back well over six pounds, which isn’t ideal. In my four years at university though, despite being a typical skint student, I still always kept coming back to the Loft.
It have mainly visited the Loft for a few drinks on Friday and Saturday nights, times when it has a great atmosphere, and I guess that is really why I am a fan of the place. It is usually absolutely mobbed at the weekend, meaning that trying to carry a big round away from the bar can be a disaster. I am one of these people who enjoys a very busy pub, although the Loft can get a bit TOO busy at weekends. Thankfully up the back of the bar there is usually much more breathing space though and this is where I usually stand (it’s always too busy to get a seat).
When its very busy it can take absolutely ages to get served at times unfortunately. You can understand that things are diffiuclt for the bartenders but sometimes you can be standing right in front of their face for over ten minutes and it seems as though you are invisible to them. The food in the restaurant area up the stairs seems to be very good, though I have usually tended to just come in for drinks.
Another problem I have with the Loft is that the pints of beer are not very cold. I don’t want to nit-​pick too much, but come on, who likes a warm pint? Probably my biggest complaint though is the opening hours. Even at the weekend it closes at midnight, which is far too early when you see how lively it is at this time. You even get the impression that people don’t really want to leave but they are being forced to.
The Loft is a dimly-​lit place, which gives it a nice relaxing atmosphere, or indeed ir could be said a ‘nightclub’ feel to it. This, coupled with the comfortable seating, spaciousness and the steep drink prices means that the place is generally most popular with young professionals getting pissed on their weekend away from the office. It does attract a good few students and older punters too though.
The place deserves plaudits for having such vigilant security measures too, with at least a couple of bouncers on the door at weekends, who also patrol the bar to watch out for any signs of trouble.
The Loft is still a pleasant and relaxing place during the week, but the difference in the size of crowd is staggering. It can be absolutely dead at times but at least this will guarantee you a seat. Whether you prefer it quiet or busy though, this is a warm, enjoyable bar to visit. Particularly in the summer, where you can even have a drink watching the sun set out on the large balcony.

Another of the G1 group of bars and restaurants but without doubt one of my favourites. Entered through a balcony on Ashton Lane it opens out into a nice spacious loungy bar with a restaurant on the mezzanine level. I’ve been to the restaurant once (on my 21^st birthday no less) and really enjoyed it. All my other many visits have been to the bar fo both food and drinks.
I’m a big fan of the décor — surrounded by movie memorabilia (it is above the wonderful grosvenor cinema) which can provide a talking point — there are lots of couches, stools and booths. Cosy. With it’s huge floor you never feel too cramped in here although it does get busy at weekends.
I’d recommend going at lunch time during the week when you can get 2 for 1 pizzas. The calzone is delicious! Wash it down with a tasty cocktail and a good old gossip.

The Loft is set upstairs from the Lane in Ashton Lane.
A great movie-​themed interior, over a massive area, makes it one impressive bar — an extensive bar and cocktail list make it yet another desirable bar in the West End.
Aimed at the «young professional», it’s quite ‘posh’. Saying that however, on sports days it projects said match, game, or whatever, onto the far back wall, meaning the entire bar can enjoy it — which is pretty cool.
Personally, I go for the after-​eight shooters. Yum yum yum. BUT, as impressive as these drinks are, along with several of the other cocktails, there’s not a lot left to be said about their food. The service was slow (we waited an hour to be served…), the food, albeit tasty, was cold and the staff seemed slightly disinterested — not to worry however, after speaking to the supervisor, it was all sorted out (discounted meal and free drinks, woo!). I hate doing that, but it really was just a bit… slo-​o-​ow.
Apart from that one-​time small glitch, I have enjoyed myself on several occassions in The Loft. It has a great atmosphere, and the bar staff can make a mean after-​eight shooter…