Elite Event @ Vespbar

As per usual I had a fabulous time with my fellow Unilocalers. I was a bit funny over this event as I’m not into pizza. I’ve tried all kinds but I hadn’t experienced the Vespbar pizza. I’m glad we arrived fairly early to get a cheeky wee drink. Slurp! I’m now ready to brace myself for pizza.
It’s a very strange layout, we were based up on the mezzanine balcony kinda bit. Got a good table next to window as it got very hot as it was, you know one of those usual summer sunny Glesga days.
Banter was good, it did take a while before the pizzas came out, so glad of cheesy chat. When they came out they were pretty huge but this event had got very big and many more had joined. I think there might have been some sneaky non Unilocalers joining in. I knew even though they were big pizzas it wouldn’t be enough.
I was right the pizzas went very quick. Oooft! It was blink and they were gone, I’ve never seen anything like it at a Unilocal event. I managed to get a cheeky wee slice thanks to Drew B. and I braved it and gave it a try. I had a ham and pinapple one and it actually tasted really nice. I believe it’s the nicest pizza I’ve ever tried, now that’s something for me. Angela B. told me it was a thin and crispy, which I hadn’t had before. I think I might just have to come back here. I know Angela B. and Ian M. will be very happy with me.
Jim the owner came round to say hi and welcomed us to Vespbar and told us about his wee establishment, we also found out that out that über cool campervan outside was his. You should hopefully see more of it as he hopes to use it for publicity.
Thanks again to Chris D. for another cracking wee night.

Being a new Unilocaler, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this wee night, but you had me at «free».
I’d only been in Vespbar once since it changed from good old O’Henry’s, but it seems a nice enough wee place. A lick of paint and some new furniture have worked wonders. The selection of beers is cracking, and the pizza was good but messy (what I managed to taste at least, are all Unilocal events such an assault course to get your mitts on some grub?).
I’m looking forward to more events at other interesting places, but in the meantime, I’ll probably pop back in to Vespbar from time to time, if only to reminisce about my student days and pints of cider and black before the Cathouse, although I’d like to think my tastes have matured a bit now…

This was my first visit to Vespbar, but having been a regular here when it was O’Henrys I had some expectations, and was pleasantly surprised to see they were mostly met. With the event scheduled to start at 7, I was there, along with a few others, bang on 7. Drinks didn’t appear til about 7:20, but that wasn’t too much of a bother, I’d bought a drink anyway, I was here for the pizza! More and more folks appeared, and soon my table was filled with my Unilocaly Pals, the banter was flowing, and the tummys were rumbling. Sadly, they rumbled for quite a while! It was nearly 8:30 before any pizza appeared, and it was fallen upon with fury!
I think part of the problem was the fact we were up on a skinny balcony. Most of the drinks had been brought up and placed on one end of the balcony, but as it was so busy anybody from the other end couldn’t make it through. The same for the pizza. I could see people up the other end munching on pizza slices so I know at least one got through! We had 3 brought up to our end, and they were devoured swiftly. But… no plates? Really? Even paper plates would have been fine! We struggled to contain our toasty hot pizza slices on napkins, which resulted in tomato stains on our clothes. The pizza that we did get our paws on was nice enough, and the ham and pineapple one even converted a so-​called non-​pizza lover in our midst! I think there were definitely non-​Yelpers helping themselves, as we weren’t completely separated from Joe Public this time like at previous events. I’d go back to try the pizza properly for myself at one point.

This joint used to be one of my haunts back in the day when it was O’Henry’s, so I was interested to see what it was like under it’s new guise of Vespbar and I wasn’t disappointed. The old grotty décor has had a much needed freshen up and they have a decent stock of beers including Innis & Gunn and Brewdog. This was only my second Unilocal event and it was a cracker with lashings of free Bulmers, Desperados and nomtastic pizza, although you had to be quick to get in there and lucky not to lose an arm there was such a rush for it! And it was good to chat to Chris and some of the other fellow Unilocalers, so hats off to you Chris and Vespbar for a stonking night. Roll on the next one!

Three stars? Yeah perhaps a little harsh… but here’s why:
1) Food and drinks disappeared quicker than a blink of an eye; the vultures are quick, and I’ve never seen anything like it at previous Unilocal events.
2) Since would couldn’t try any of the pizzas brought out for the Unilocalers, we ended up ordering a meatball and red onion pizza to share among our friends. I’ve heard the Vespbar pizzas talked up quite a bit, and sadly I was very disappointed. The toppings were paltry, and the pizza was extremely greasy.
3) Glorious sunshine — «summer» was back in Scotland, but the heating system was still on, and the mezzanine was roasting despite having the windows opened. Unlike the neds outside, I will not take my «tap aff»…
4) The owner Jim was quite lovely and friendly, and the company we kept that evening were the saving graces of the event.
Perhaps in different circumstances, when it’s less crowded and no vultures swarming about, we’ll probably be back to sample the food and beers on tap at our leisure… Though having already paid for the pizza, and being disappointed in the pool of grease pie, I still think I’ll hold a séance for SYPCo. Anyone with me? Better yet who wants to fly to NYC or Italy?

3 stars, and yes I do feel a bit harsh about it!
The food and drink just didnt get round to us — I saw people from other tables nicking Unilocal name badges so I’ve a feeling it may have been taken by non-​Yelpers who dont know the drill.
I struggled to get my paws on pizza and drink, but the slice I shared with the boy seemed nice if not very messy, Ive a feeling it might have been rushed out. Unfortunately I missed out on the beer and bulmers amd ended up buying drinks from downstairs, but the staff seemed nice. The owner didn’t come to speak to us which was a shame as thats always a good part of any Elite event.
It was a pity we weren’t more cordoned off away from stealing paws and more Pizzas hadnt done the rounds — I saw 3, which was never going to be enough for 40ish people.
Would possibly return for a post work /​shopping pizza and a beer as its in a handy location.

First event in a while for me, lured out by the promise of beer and pizza. Sadly both were lacking: the beer was awful sweetened and flavoured stuff (the beer gods are weeping) and the pizza, while fantastic, wasn’t evenly distributed and wasn’t really enough for the crowd. The miniscule amount we managed to somehow procure was very tasty and I can picture myself returning to buy one all to myself away from the gannets.
Can’t fault the venue, although why the hell did they have the heating on in August during a heatwave? Staff were great and thankfully the beer fridge was stocked with some yummy Punk IPA to wash away the taste of the awful Desperados. I visited this bar many times when it was O’Henry’s and was pleased that the interior was pretty much the same and that seats were readily available upstairs after a long shift standing up!
Great company was the highlight, though. Good to see so many familiar faces and meet some new ones which in the end is what it’s all about.

Vespbar was a good choice for the event and had a great atmosphere. My daughter is the Unilocaler and brought me and her dad along. The tray of drinks appeared and if you blinked they were gone, but we managed to down a good few anyway. The pizza’s were delicious and the staff were friendly and helpful. This is my first review but hopefully not my last.

Great event with, as ever, great company.
Pizza & beer was frenzical. Unfortunately some people did miss out on the pizza action, which is a shame cos it was darn tasty. Will be back for more… soonly…very very soonly
The staff were very cool. Had a good chat with the owner and the barman and I saw the second most awesome van on the planet.

How do I describe Vespbar… It was Full!
Full of free drink, free pizza, friends old & new & a great atmosphere. I’d never tasted Bulmer’s with crushed red berries & lime before & it was delicious especially as fresh fruit had been added to the glass, yum!
Ok, I must agree that it was a wee bit warm but windows had been opened, fans were blasting away & given the amount of us there it wasn’t bad. It’s a lovely old building that they keep very clean so I can’t fault them. They do tastings on a Monday night so have a look on their website & if you fancy some free pizza & drink, pop along & see the place for yourself.
I have to mention the staff because they are wonderful & know how to look after you. I hate places where the staff make you feel like your an inconvenience but at Vespbar nothing is too much bother for them. As a girlie I could happily come in for a wee drink myself & feel completely as ease & that’s no mean feat for a bar just a stones throw from Central Station.
Chris you’ve done it again so thanks to you & to one & all for a great night.
RxXx

A fine time was had by all, I can safely say. I’d never been in Vespbar before and was pleasantly surprised by the lovely décor and the airy atmosphere of the high ceilings and mezzanine level. The mezzanine was crammed with Unilocalers with 80’s sunglasses and bottles of Desperado beer. Booze was plentiful and kept coming, more Desperado, Southern Comfort and lemonade (my favourite) and mixed fruit cider were leapt upon as soon as the waitress came upstairs with them, as were the amazing thin crust pizzas which were gone in a matter of seconds. If I had one complaint it was perhaps the pizzas weren’t shared equally, but they were delicious none the less.
Booze, fun, chat, as usual a great Unilocal night. Thanks Chris!

Chris and Unilocal Glasgow have only gone and pulled off another fantastic event. I brought my folks along and we had a great night. The drinks were flowing and the environment was great. I’d heard of Vespbar before and of course their wonderful pizzas! They certainly didn’t disappoint, they were delicious! I’m sure I’ll be back with friends to enjoy Vespbar once again! Thanks, Chris! PS, it is well worth a mention that my mother is jumping on the Unilocal bandwagon! I don’t think it gets much better than that!

I knew that this one was going to be big.
Beer + Pizza at a central location means that the crowds will appear.
Appeared early but Photo Girl and Chris had arrived earlier. I know this place well. It shares a place in my heart with its older peer across the road. The main reason for this is — the pizza. It has already been talked about, but trust me, the pizza rocks.
The round of drinks appears. They pushed it out with apple booze (which seems to be big here), French Angry Beers and Southern Comfort Mixed drinks. I stuck to the Italian lager, i picked up at the bar. I had a couple Tequila infused lagers later but the sugar rush chased me back to regular Morettis.
The best thing about these nights is the people that appear. Folks I have not seen all summer were about and it was great to see them when it is still light outside. Scots brighten up when it is not Pit Pony Season. A load of new faces and a couple of people that had just wandered upstairs to get a seat, They were badged, boozed and fed into joining the Glasgow Unilocal Family. Once you accept the Red Sunglasses, Unilocal indentured servitude begins.
Then the pizza arrived and gannets descended. Stunning as always. This stuff does not disappoint. I mean it is right next to Central and you do not need to descend into a basement to get it. You have been told where it is. Now go find it.
I left a little early since I was working Mumbai time in the morning but the evening was definitely was continuing after I left.
Congrats to all involved. Chris continues to pull these out of his hat. Don’t know how he does it but whatever it is — keeping doing it .
The owner Jim was brilliant and seemed a really nice guy. The Vespbar staff were excellent and really friendly.
Job Well Done.

This was a new venue for me, and the event was, as always, well organised by Chris. Hosted on the balcony under low ceilings it was a bit warm but it was a gloriously lovely warm summer evening, and it was lovely to meet up with friends and to meet new friends. Famed for their pizzas, these disappeared as soon as they arrived at the tables. The Portonian and I will need to return and sample the pizza menu at leisure.