Award-winning Gallowgate pub, The Gate, has launched a new cocktail menu celebrating two centuries of Glasgow East End heritage.
The Gate has been at 251 Gallowgate since 2019, but there has been a public house at the address for over 200 years, with the first landlord, James Reid, taking on the lease in 1826.
Marking this milestone, the team has created Tales of The Gallowgate, a new cocktail list inspired by the ‘characters, culture and chaos’ that have shaped the streets around it.
Crafted entirely in-house by The Gate team, the menu blends modern techniques and imaginative flavour combinations with local storytelling, ‘paying respect to the past while firmly looking forward’.
There are liquid nods to the Pizza Crunch, Billy Connolly and the Cow People at the Barras; there’s a breakfast cereal espresso martini commemorating the historic shift worker pub licensing in the area; there’s a drink dedicated to a regular’s dog; there’s even a margarita collaboration using chilli oil from the neighbouring Ho Le Fook street food stall.
One of the new signature cocktails is The Robot, a tribute to Glasgow street performing legend Robert the Robot. Channelling retro futurism with a bright, nostalgic twist, The Robot is built around Haku Vodka, with Midori, manzanilla sherry, pandan and pineapple brine creating a drink that’s ‘playful, slightly surreal and unexpectedly complex’.
The Gate has built a reputation as a leading player in the Scottish pub and cocktail scene, offering a vibrant atmosphere, exceptional toasties, and an extensive selection of craft beers, cocktails, Scotch whisky, and gin.
Its commitment to customer service, a welcoming ambience, and top-quality drinks has earned it recognition across the UK.
Owner Andy Gemmell described the pub’s simple mission as balancing the warmth and welcome of a traditional Glasgow pub with an innovative drinks offering, and keeping the doors open to everyone.
“251 Gallowgate has been bringing people together for generations, and that means something to us. When we created this menu, it was important that it respected that history while still feeling unmistakably like The Gate.
“Our team here are incredibly creative. Every drink has been developed in-house, rooted in flavour and storytelling. We’ve built our cocktail experiences inspired by the street outside our door.
“I’ve fallen in love with this part of Glasgow,” added Gemmell. “It has grit, humour and heart. I’m genuinely excited about its future, blending old-school character with a new-wave energy.
“We’re proud to be part of that evolution. We love pubs; we love this city, and if you leave feeling better than when you walked in, even better.”
