- Chef / owner
- Founder/operator Derek Mallon (Lomond Leisure Group), inspired by 2015 Louisville/Buffalo Trace trips; opened Gallowgate November 2017 (The Scotsman). OpenTable lists executive chef as “Dom and his team.” Sophie Mallon leads marketing for the group.
- Opened
- 2017
- Style
- Kentucky-inspired bourbon bar and BBQ grill opposite Barrowlands: wee plates, Scottish burgers, ribs/wings, beer garden, and a large American whiskey/bourbon list including Pappy Van Winkle bottles.
- Setting
- American-themed casual dining room and bar with Jack Daniel’s beer garden (Guinness Hut / heated outdoor booths noted by Lomond Leisure).
- Awards
- OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award 2025 (official site); Quality Business Award – Best BBQ Restaurant in Glasgow 2024 (commercial award scheme; venue announcement)
- Known for
- Scotland’s largest bourbon / American whiskey selection (venue claim), Pre-gig dining opposite Barrowland Ballroom, Wings Wednesday all-you-can-eat, Jack Daniel’s beer garden / Fire Garden, Dog-friendly with dedicated dog menu
- Signature dishes
- VW Famous Wings (buffalo, BBQ, garlic, xtra hot, lemon pepper), Full rack of BBQ baby back ribs, Scottish beef burgers (Classic, Highlander, Monster, Buckin’ Hell challenge), Homemade mac ’n’ cheese / loaded fries, Sharing Feast for two (wings, flautas, mac ’n’ cheese, tenders, dirty fries, etc.), Bourbon brownie / Kentuck-tea afternoon tea
- Good for
- Pre- and post-Barrowlands gigs, Groups and private BBQs, Casual burgers and bourbon, Dog owners, Sunday roast / family early evenings
- Prices
- OpenTable band £25 and under. Menu (updated ~Aug 2026 on OpenTable): wee plates ~£7.95; burgers ~£14.75–£18; Monster £23.70 / Buckin’ Hell £29.50; full rack ribs £24.95; Wings Wednesday £24.95 pp (1½ hrs + fries); Sunday roast from £20.95; Sharing Feast for two £49.50; Kentuck-tea ~£21.50 pp; bourbon tasting £36 pp. Steak Thursday: two rib-eyes for £25 (OpenTable venue notes). Student 20% off food Mon–Thu (main menu; not with other offers).
- Lunch
- Open from 12pm Wednesday–Sunday; midday dining available on those days. No separate set lunch found beyond regular menu and experiences.
- Booking
- Book via OpenTable (linked from vanwinkle.co.uk/book-at-van-winkle-glasgow-east-end) or call 0141 552 1177. Larger bookings: £10pp non-refundable deposit; parties of 6+ online require card details — cancel within 24 hours or no-show charged £10pp. Groups of 10+ require a 10% deposit.
- Dietary tags
- vegetarian options, vegan options, gluten-free options
- Dietary
- Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options available (beer-garden dietary note; OpenTable flags vegan and gluten-free). Menu includes Buffalo Tofu Burger and halloumi/veggie plates. Flag allergies in advance for groups.
- Groups
- Group bookings welcomed. Indoor events up to ~100; private BBQ in beer garden up to ~50 (OpenTable / beer-garden page). Exclusive-use BBQ packages available.
- Kids
- Children welcome; booking page says until 7pm, contact page says until 8pm — confirm when booking.
- Dress code
- Casual (OpenTable).
- Outdoor seating
- Yes
- Drinks
- Full bar; venue and Lomond Leisure claim Scotland’s largest bourbon selection (incl. Old Rip Van Winkle / Pappy Van Winkle range, Blanton’s, Stagg, etc.), plus beers, wine and cocktails. Bourbon tastings offered (~£36).
- Payment
- Mastercard and Visa (OpenTable).
- Noise / pace
- OpenTable noise level Energetic; busiest around Barrowlands gigs and Fri/Sat evenings — book ahead for those nights. Quieter midweek lunches / early evenings.
- Closed
- Monday and Tuesday (except open on Barrowlands gig nights). Open Wed–Sun from 12pm; last food orders 8:30pm. OpenTable lists Wed–Sun to ~23:45 for the bar.
- Getting there
- 267 Gallowgate, directly opposite Barrowland Ballroom; East End, ~5 minutes from city centre per venue. Buses nearby; short walk to nearest train station (OpenTable).
- Parking
- Street parking outside the venue (OpenTable).
- Also by them
- Mharsanta, Glasgow (Lomond Leisure); Gael & Grain, Glasgow West End (former Van Winkle Byres Road site, converted); Kirk O’ The Lochs, Tarbet; The Tolbooth Tavern, Edinburgh; The Parliament Arms, Edinburgh
- Also
- Second Van Winkle opened 94 Byres Road Sep 2020; later closed and transformed into Gael & Grain (Lomond Leisure news) — Barrowlands is the remaining Van Winkle; Dog menu developed with Pets’n’Vets / Ross Allan (Scotsman, at Byres opening); dog partners page still active for Barrowlands; Takeaway/delivery via Just Eat, Deliveroo, Uber Eats and online collection (OpenTable / site); WiFi available (booking page); Quality Business Awards are commercially nominated schemes — not equivalent to AA Rosettes or Michelin