The Di Maggio Restaurant Group (DRG) opens its latest venture The Citizen, on the site of The Trading House, at 24 St Vincent Place, this week.
The Citizen borrows its name from the iconic Evening Citizen, the first evening newspaper in Glasgow, which was based in the same premises. The Grade A listed building will house The Citizen Bar and Dining Rooms, with a capacity of 218 seats and will serve brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Says DRG Director Tony Conetta, (pictured above) “The Citizen Bar and Dining Rooms not only pays tribute to the glory days of the Evening Citizen newspaper but also celebrates the citizens of Glasgow.” He continues, “This project has been hugely enjoyable because it has uncovered incredible stories about the city and its people. From a public call-out for information on The Citizen newspaper, we’ve been inundated with fascinating tales, original photography and personal recounts. We’re really excited to showcase these stories, the workmanship and the artistry that has gone into both the décor and the menus, all of which pay homage to Glasgow and her citizens.”
The Citizen also has a Editor’s Suite – which is more exclusive. It will serve afternoon tea, but it also offers customers and spirits companies the option to buy a safe box to store a special bottles of whisky.
The Citizen will also be the very first bar in Scotland to serve Tennent’s Tank Lager. The lager will be served ‘brewery fresh’ from giant copper tanks behind the bar, the first time since it was last offered in the 1980s.
Says Director Mario Gizzi, “This bar is more about the liquid than the food. Although you will be able to enjoy very high class pub grub here, we hope people will enjoy a drink without feeling the necessity to order food.”
