Cool new Glasgow bar open with huge secret beer garden

Henry's, the long-awaited new bar from the team behind Chinaskis and The Berkeley Suite, swung open its doors at Abbot Street on December 29.

Just far enough from the chaos of Pollokshaws Road, the new venue has been carefully put together to mimic the coy candlelight of its sister bar.

Len Archbold, area manager for the three venues, said: "We're trying to take a bit of what Chinaskis has and bring it to the Southside.

"We felt that it was something that was missing - a hangout where locals can come and that has a neighbourhood feel."

Len Archbold, pics by Robert Perry (Image: Robert Perry)

The dog-friendly venue, named after Charles Bukowski's literary alter ego Henry Chinaski, has a secret undercover beer garden that will double in size over the summer months.

A selection of wines and cocktails will be served alongside favourites like olives, focaccia and cheese plates.

Small plate options include dishes like potato tostones with white bean and chimichurri or cod with koji miso, charred corn and guanciale.

From next week, daytime service will include bagels, soups and pastries served alongside speciality coffees.

Len said: "Everything we're doing here, we want to do really well."

Owner Fergus McVicar first got the keys to the former Molly's Cosy Cafe just over a year ago.

Now, after months of hard work, the unit has been completely transformed into an intimate bar.

Len said: "We worked slowly over the last 18 months but it's ramped up since we got our midnight license granted a few months ago."

The paint was sandblasted off the walls to reveal the brickwork underneath.

Floors were torn up and replaced with acetone-finished cement.

Most of the elements inside Henry's have been hand-built or sourced by years of collecting.

The back bar is a fitted vintage mid-century unit by leading British furniture firm G Plan.

Curated artworks adorn walls that were panelled by staff and friends (who also built the tables).

Len said: "Pretty much everything was done in-house."

Brightly coloured speakers in each corner of the bar are made by We Enjoy Sound, the Glasgow firm that installed the sound system in The Berkeley Suite.

The jewel of the crown in the interior is the lighting, most of which are restored Parisian street lamps from the Paul Bert market.

Len said: "All the lights have been collected by Fergus over the years, mostly from Paris.

"Up until the 50s and 60s, every street in Paris was lit with the large globe lamps, even the dodgiest streets."

The classic holophane lamps were gutted and refit with a modern light fitting and installed around the tables.

The new bar is a must for fans of Chinaskis or Southsiders looking for a place to disappear into with friends.

Len said: "We're really excited to be down in the Southside and for everyone to come and see us, day or night."

Henry's will be accepting walk-ins only for the first month and is open daily from 10am until 12am.

Henry's, 5 Abbot Street, G41 3XE.