On our first Jukebox Journey of 2013,  Walking Heads blogger Gemma Brown follows a tip to The Doublet and finds a Glasgow West End local  bar with hidden musical depths.

Upon recommendation we arrive at The Doublet Bar on Park Road. A stones throw away from Great Western Road and Kelvingrove Park (not that we were throwing any stones!), the Doublet doesn’t seem the obvious place to find a great jukebox.

 

Doublet Bar from the outside

The Doublet Bar, picture from Hetherington Research Club website

The Doublet has all the characteristics of your typical local and is indeed the local of many in Glasgow’s west end. Walking through the door you are greeted by all the signs of an old mans pub: it’s dark and cosy, the carpet is tartan, there’s no music, it has short and tall bar stools, there are lots of optics on the wall and the staff are welcoming.  If you are in here before 6pm then that’s all this cosy old public bar  has to offer.

Don’t get me wrong their drink selection is amazing and the staff are really friendly and chatty but the lack of daytime tunes is where it falters for me.

In the evening, however, the Doublet opens up its lounge bar. Situated upstairs, the lounge looks the same as the public bar with one important exception: a colourful jukebox on the wall means a younger clientele. The jukebox is of the new school variety – in other words, it’s digital.  Like the Snaffle bit (visited by our Benny Robb ). It is surprising to find these older pubs with this new technology but really good to see them embracing change.

 

A close up of the jukebox inside the Doublet

A diverse selection

Looking closer, I can tell straight away that the hype about this particular jukebox is true. Firstly, the most popular tracks: Bob Marley’s in there along with 50 Cent, ACDC, Adele and 2 Unlimited. This is the most eclectic mix I have ever seen on a jukebox and shows the diversity of the customers in the lounge bar.

After spending quite a while looking through the catalogue I get chatting to a member of staff. I’m curious to know who put the music on and how often, and the answer is that an organisation outwith the bar  come every week with new releases and updates. He also tells me that if there is a track you want but isn’t there it can be downloaded for 50p and then remains on the jukebox. That’s where the diversity comes from!

When I ask why the lounge bar is so sought-after he tells me, “It’s used as a meeting place for most young hipsters in and around the west end and once they get here they don’t usually leave until kicking out time.” Sampling the Doublet I can see why. If you are around  Kelvinbridge area, looking for a cosy, relaxed place to get a drink and listen to some of your favourite songs, check out the Doublet lounge bar.

 

Closeup of Jukebox hits

Every Chart Hit since 1952!

To find out more about Glasgow’s selection of vibrant venues and excellent jukeboxes,  download  Glasgow Music Tour and experience the UNESCO City of Musicfor yourself.