My friends and I were drawn to the Curly Coo before it had even opened it's door. - Stirling's newest whisky bar certainly had an amusing name. 'Have you seen the Currrrly Coo?' 'The new bar's called the Currrrly Coo.' It rolled off our tongues easily and was playful and fun. - I'm a 'Weegie so, naturally, I love to roll my rs!
Now, wait a second...Here was me getting all excited about the latest whisky bar in town when I don't even drink the stuff! Alas, they have a great selection of other lovely things. My favourites being gin and that very, very tasty Elderflower Thistly Cross cider.
I've been in the Coo a few times now and whilst it is still on the quiet side as a new bar, it seems to be growing in popularity little by little. Mandy, the owner, is an intense but lovely lady who is strict about her rules in turning the pub around from the rowdy, loud reputation it had previously. She certainly knows her stuff about whiskey, with a 'drammy' award for her previous bar in Creiff and plans for whisky tasting nights in the near future. With every visit, there's been a new quirk to her bar. - I love the book collection and the super teeny whisky bottles. Not to mention the painting of the 'Coo' in question in the corner. It would be nice to see some candles, I think that would really fit with the feel of the bar.
When we had been booked as a band to play an hour set at the Coo, we were nervous. On our first visit we were the only people in the bar and Mandy told us of the folk music scene she wanted to welcome to the pub. It didn't sit well with the fact that the jukebox played generic pop songs. And that's one of the major factors for me for the pub. With some nice music, the bar changes completely! We put some Dylan on the jukebox and, with a little bit of folk, it certainly feels closer to the folk-whiskey haven Mandy's been dreaming of.
Prices are a little on the expensive side but what you're getting really is premium. With 150 varieties of whiskey, a hefty gin collection and the most popular local ciders all in one place, you're spoiled for choice. Whilst at first I was unsure of the Curly Coo, I only hope that things improve because this bar has so much potential. Just be sure to take some money for the jukebox! read more