McMillan siblings in fine form after a record year

By Dave Hunter

Glasgow bar and restaurant The McMillan is on course for its best year in 2024.

Opened in 2014 by Scott and Evelyn McMillan, The McMillan is now owned and operated by the couple’s son and daughter, Miles and Mia, who bought the business from their parents three years ago. 

A year after that, the siblings acquired the freehold of the premises and have since gone on to invest in the building’s outdoor area as well as fixtures such as new seating and signage. 

Sitting dead centre between the southside’s bustling Shawlands and Strathbungo areas, The McMillan has established itself as a firm favourite with locals, offering a high quality proposition of steaks, wine and cocktails. 

While the business has benefited from the expansion of the local Strathbungo area, the location has just been one factor in its success. 

Speaking to SLTN last month, Miles said he and his sister have been dedicated to constantly refining and improving the offer, as well as continuously reinvesting in the business. 

“We’re just constantly changing so that if you’re a weekly visitor, every week you’ll have the option of something different, as opposed to the same menu, the same thing,” said Miles. 

“It becomes a bit stagnant, which we’re trying not to do. So we’re constantly on the move, constantly changing.”

The team regularly introduces specials on both the food and drinks side to give regulars new things to try, and with the cost of living continuing to bite, a wallet-friendly lunch deal offers customers quality steak and chips for £12 a head. 

Miles, who trained as an accountant, explained that the restaurant is able to hit that price point by sourcing a cheaper cut of steak – flat iron – from John Gilmour Butchers in East Lothian, which is ‘not as tender as a fillet steak, but still very lean’. 

“It gets people in that maybe wouldn’t normally want to spend on a steak,” said Miles. 

“They come in, we make sure they’re looked after, the steak’s good, and we get repeat custom from it. And they’ll maybe come in and get the more expensive steak every so often.”

On Sundays, The McMillan offers customers a two or three-course Sunday roast, with an option of beef, chicken or vegetarian. 

And on the drinks side, regular specials are introduced to the menu, with particularly popular drinks making it onto the venue’s permanent menu. 

Pricing and product has been key to the venue’s success. 

Miles said the food and drink at The McMillan is purposefully priced a little lower than the city centre, to encourage local custom, but without compromising on the product or the service. 

And the venue itself is multi-purpose, with customers able to enjoy drinks in Andy’s Bar, named after Miles and Mia’s grandfather, or enjoy some sunshine in the 80-capacity outdoor area during warmer days. 

Inside, the 160-capacity restaurant includes a stunning 26-capacity private dining room with its own TV and sound system, which is in demand year-round for parties and celebrations. 

In the past year the McMillans have added new circular booths to the restaurant as they continue to refine the look and feel of the unit. 

“We’re constantly reinvesting, changing, adapting.”

“We’re constantly reinvesting, constantly changing, constantly adapting, constantly introducing concepts, new ideas, new dishes to get new customers in and open up to a wider audience,” explained Miles.

“And it’s about maintaining that audience, making sure they’re happy with the service, with the product, making sure they’re coming back in. 

“Repeat custom’s a big thing for us. There’s lots of different factors, we’re just looking to get them all combined to lead to better business, better success.”

And while the duo works hard on the offer at The McMillan, the local area flourishes, with more venues opening every month.  

Miles said: “A lot of people seem to not like the fact that other places are opening. For me, I think it’s great. It brings more people to the area. 

“Even looking up the road, the brunch place that has opened has been great for us. We get a lot of people coming in for a drink afterwards or a coffee afterwards.”

And now, with The McMillan in great shape, the siblings are considering branching out to a second venue. 

But they’re not in a rush. 

Miles, at 30, and Mia, at 26, both have time on their side. 

“We’ve got two or three ideas of what we’d like to do, but it’s very dependent on location,” said Miles. “My sister and I are a bit younger, so I’m looking more 20 years down the line as opposed to two.”