Dakota Deluxe
179 West Regent Street, Glasgow
What is it? The Dakota brand is the brainchild of Glaswegian hotelier Ken McCulloch. The luxury 86-bedroom hotel, bar and restaurant opened in the spring of last year and is his first in Glasgow. There are other Dakota venues just outside Glasgow and Edinburgh, with a fourth opening in Leeds next month. The city centre venues will go under the name Dakota Deluxe.
The bar, nicknamed Jack’s Bar in homage to the Vettriano artworks on the wall and a series of portraits of famous Jacks, is atmospheric, intimate and moody. The owners have tried to portray the feeling of sitting in a pre-Prohibition NewYork hotel with a modern, minimalist design. As well as the bar there is also a library, a members-only lounge, the cigar terrace and a champagne room.
Verdict: I love a proper pub. I also love a proper hotel bar. Here at Dakota, we have that. I think there is nothing more disappointing than paying for a lovely hotel and the bar is just a normal bar. You want to feel special and spoiled when you sit at the bar of a good hotel. The Blythswood has been the pick of the bunch in recent years but this new comer has definitely upped the game when it comes to great drinks, efficient and knowledgeable service all in a stylish relaxed atmosphere. My only slight annoyance is that due to the design of the layout you can't always see the bar from where you are sitting. It's probably just me but I like seeing the bartenders creating the cocktails. This is a great addition to the Glasgow bar scene and hopefully they can keep up the great standards.
Drink: This is a great place to sit and take your time going through the drinks menu. The cocktail list is well put together with some classics alongside some new creations from the bar team at Dakota. We both went for a Negroni: this is our standard “we are out and have no kids” cocktail to kick off the evening. We have ours with Tanqueray No 10 gin, Campari and Punt e Mes sweet vermouth, stirred over ice and priced at £9. The bar staff here are confident and well-informed on all their drinks.
Food: We ordered from the taster menu, which I love to find in a bar: quick, tasty food to set you up for the night. While I've not been in the restaurant, I have only heard good things about it. We ordered a couple of sliders with the house hamburger and crispy lobster and avocado for £5 each and Serrano and parmesan croquetas, which I could have eaten all night, for £7.
Prices: I was actually surprised by the prices. Sometimes, hotels push it that little bit too far when expecting folks to pay extra for the privilege of drinking in their venues. Yes, you will find cheaper drinks in nearby Bath Street, but at nowhere near these standards. Cocktails are from £8 and a large glass of wine from £7.
Children: Allowed in if dining with adults. Maybe not great for those under 10.
Alfresco: No outdoor area here, which doesn't really matter as you will not want to leave.
Perfect for: Finding a quiet corner in the bar with your loved one and enjoying a few cocktails.
Avoid if: You have a vitamin D deficiency and just need natural light.
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