FANS of Trainspotting will surely want to make the pilgrimage to the new Kelbourne Saint in Glasgow’s Queen Margaret Drive.
Why? The former Crosslands pub featured in one of the film’s most iconic scenes which saw hardman Francis Begbie, played by Robert Carlyle, launch his empty pint glass off the balcony and start a brawl.
That famous balcony remains but the venue – the latest venture from the fast-growing Kained Holdings pub and restaurant group – is unrecognisable following a £500,000 refurbishment.
The Kelbourne Saint, now a bar and restaurant specialising in natural produce, officially open for business from on December 1 with the owners promising to “deliver something completely unique to Glasgow”.
This new location continues Kained Holdings’ mission to “surprise and delight” with a customer-facing rotisserie featuring an array of options ranging from herb-fed chicken to suckling pig.
The menu also includes a selection of tasty sides which can be enjoyed individually or in family-sized portions.
Graham Suttle, managing director of the award-winning Kained Holdings, says: “The Glasgow restaurant scene is extremely competitive – that’s why we always strive to be as creative as possible and deliver something different from the norm.
“Drinking and dining at the Kelbourne Saint will be a change in style from our other restaurants but with the same commitment to ethically-sourced, sustainable produce.
“Our aim is to bring people together to enjoy our new menu, family style. Our chickens have had time to grow slowly and roam free on Scottish farms, meaning they have the time to develop the finest flavour and texture.
“Months of consultation went into everything from the food and drink, right down to the decor and service. First and foremost, we look to create venues that we would want to visit.”
A former Burgh Hall, the Queen Margaret Drive venue has been stripped right back to allow the designers to create a “fresh take on an incredible location”.
Customers can’t fail to be struck by a stunning sky mural on the ceiling, designed and created by Glasgow street artist Bob McNamara, aka Rogue-one, whose work can be seen all around the city and is one of the team behind the much-admired mural at the Clutha pub.
Meanwhile, the new venue features WEST Brewery’s first and only tank beer system which serves Kained Holdings’ own-brand beer, Apache Pilsner. The new system ensures a refreshing serve with brewery-fresh beer fed directly into the taps from the large tanks.
The Kelbourne Saint is designed to be a place for the local community and families to enjoy, and features a children’s play area where families can spend time together enjoying the food.
“We think this is exactly what the surrounding community on Great Western Road is looking for and we’ve already been really well received,” says Suttle.
With its 80-capacity outdoor area with heated huts that make it suitable for all-weather use all year round, the Kelbourne Saint is currently looking at plans for this part of the venue to become home to a small farmers’ market featuring local and seasonal Scottish produce plus regular market stalls from local suppliers and businesses.
The new venue is Kained Holdings’ eighth venue in the central belt and creates 20 new jobs, bringing its total number of staff to 170.
Kained Holdings, which celebrates its tenth year in business in 2017, says that the opening of two further venues in Finnieston is imminent, including a not-for-profit deli that will train and hire people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The group, which also operates Lebowski’s, The Finnieston and Porter & Rye in Glasgow, was recently named independent multiple operator of the year at the 2016 SLTN Awards.
Director Danny Boyle’s much-anticipated T2: Trainspotting sees Begbie reunited with Renton (Ewan McGregor), Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller) and Spud (Ewen Bremner). It is released in the UK in January.