Rockus

I’ve only been in two or three times but so far I like Rockus.
I’ve been living in and around Finnieston for long enough to see a few different bars occupy this lot. Some I really liked, some I scarcely even entered but they all had something in common, or rather a lack of something. Not one of them had anything unique going for them.
I imagine it’s tough opening a new bar on Argyle Street. IT already has a few traditional bars, a whisky pub, a cheap place that does pizza deals, places specialising in cocktails or wine or beer and of course there’s Lebowski’s. If you don’t bring something new or different you’ll likely be overlooked.
Well, being so close to the SECC and the Hydro it must have made a lot of sense to open a rock themed bar. It works too — I’ve yet to see it totally dead and quite often I’ve seen a large crowd outside, so they’re doing something right.
From my perspective they’re getting it right because they’re keeping things simple. They’ve got their rock theme, they play rock music and show rock videos. Then they just serve drinks and decent prices and a few simple (but tasty) bar meals and snacks and they can’t go far wrong. The seating is comfy and the bathrooms are clean so there’s really nothing to complain about here.
I keep meaning to come back and sample the menu properly. Somehow I’ve always managed to just end up ordering nachos or fries which, whilst pretty great, don’t look nearly as impressive as the burgers or the chilli con carne. I’m a rock music fan, so I’m sure I’ll find an excuse soon enough.

We visited for Friday night drinks and I stupidly didn’t twig that Friday night = busy bar. Thankfully with the help of the super friendly staff we were able to nab a couple of tables after about half an hour of awkward loitering.
I ordered a beef and bacon burger which was ok, if I was marking the burger alone I’d give it 3 stars. The bun and fillings were fine but I really didn’t like the meat patty and ended up ditching it halfway through the burger, and replacing it with chips. I tried some of Debbie B’s curly fries with cheese and thought they were pretty damn delicious! Other food options were pizza and a special of ribs.
This bar has a comfy, welcoming vibe and lives up to the rock theme well. I like that they have video clips playing on the wall and a jukebox, and the friendly staff make it even nicer. There’s a good choice of drinks (Fyne Ales beers) and the cocktails are quickly made and delicious. At this end of Argyle St it also makes the perfect stop off before a gig at the Hydro if you’re looking for a drink or two.

Favourite local Rock bar, with free jukebox, decent food, and always a stout on tap. I love this place for pre-​gig drinkies.
A decent range of craft beers in bottles, and always a couple on tap. At the moment Zombier has been replaced with Fyne Ales Sublime Stout, and sublime it is. They also have a Fyne IPA on draught too.
Food is standard pub fayre; pizzas and burgers, and from posts on their FB page the odd special.
Be warned! If you’re there pre Hydro or SECC don’t expect to get a seat, unless you’re as Hawkeye’d as I.
Former Rock Radio DJ Tom Russell is a regular guest, putting in appearances for quiz nights and DJ sets. And Sundays see regular live bands.

While I’m usually a Rufus regular, when I’m in Finnieston this is where I come for a pint. Decent tunes, nice selection of bottled beer, good seating and it’s usually quiet during the day so you can have a chat and a drink with a group of mates.
I was in on Saturday night with some pals and it was heaving with folk, but the staff were quick to spot people waiting at the bar and the atmosphere is very friendly and convivial — seems to attract a bit of an older rock and roll crowd so people are generally polite and quick to offer you a seat or move so you can get past.
The only downside (and I can tell I’m getting old!) is that there was a live band on and while they were quite good, the sound quality wasn’t and it was cranked up waaaaaayyyy too loud — I saw several people leaving due to not being able to hear the person sitting next to them speak and when I went to the cash machine a block down the street I could still hear the band v clearly.
It’s not cheap but I didn’t wince either so if you’re in that area and fancy some rock tunes then Rockus is the place to go.

Had the excellent 2 for £10 on burgers/​pizzas on Saturday, the classic burger with cheese and bacon was great along with awesome French fries.
I go in here quite a it now but my only gripe being an ale fan is the price of ale but maybe I’m a bit stuck in the past as most places are extortionate for drinks these days. Lol The draught ale was £4.30 I think and the cocktails have gone up from pic below to £5.95!
Maybe turn the music down a smidge too, we had trouble hearing each other.
All excellent otherwise and will continue to go back.

I’m going to preface this review by saying that it might have been an off day for the chef, but I generally left with a meh feeling after eating at Rockus.
Kris B. and I went to Rockus as they’re doing a deal through Facebook at the moment: 2 burgers and 2 cocktails for £15 (pretty nifty considering the burgers themselves are £7+ each, so free drink!). I’ve been to Rockus before for drinks and enjoyed the laid-​back, rocky ambience of the place so I was keen to go back and try their food.
Unfortunately Kris and I were left feeling a little disappointed. We placed our order with the barmaid, who didn’t really seem to know much about the offer, and then proceeded to play on her phone as she ‘took’ our order (she had to ask twice as she wasn’t paying much attention!). Although our food came fairly promptly and our cocktails which we sipped whilst patiently waiting were lovely (best margarita I’ve had in a while and Kris reckons their White Russian is actually vastly superior to the so-​called experts at Lebowski’s), the food wasn’t really up to scratch. Kris had a hot and spicy burger with chilli sauce, cheese and jalapenos, whilst I opted for the cheese and bacon burger.
The patties were fine enough, though could have done with being a bit juicier but it was the bun that was the problem here. On the outside of the burger it was a bit stale, but was completely burnt to a crisp on the inside. It meant that the patty and our various fillings were overpowered by the taste of charcoal and general ‘burntness’. The chips, though nice, are the same skinny fries you get at a lot of pubs and takeaways, which I don’t mind but it still couldn’t get rid of the smokiness left behind by that cremated bun.
Like I said at the beginning, the chef may have had an off day, and judging by the sweet-​but-​petite menu Rockus have, they focus more on the booze, music and ambience than their meals. However, only one of three were great here so I just felt a little ‘blah’ after Rockus.

Firstly I need to confess I’m not really a fan rock or heavy metal music. This means I am probably not a target market customer for Rockus. I usually hold off reviewing places until I have tried the food as well, but I feel fairly comfortable doing this one as I can’t imagine eating here.
Visited Rockus on a Saturday night after seeing several good reviews on Unilocal and thought I would give it a try. I am sure it’s exactly the type of place that appeals to many, but for me it just all seemed a bit grim and depressing. No atmosphere and all a bit grey. In terms of food it certainly did not seem a place where I would like to have a meal, even it it was just burger and chips. To be honest I could not get out quick enough.
If you yearn for rock style bars from the past then head here and you will probably love it. If you don’t, then I would recommend you avoid and go to one of the many other more inviting bars in the area.

Been to rockus a couple of times now. Love the fact that they have free pinball & a free jukebox.
There is limited seating & gets quite busy at the weekend. Drinks prices are a bit cheaper than other bars in the area. Wine is dirt cheap at £12 a bottle.
There’s a limit food menu of burgers & pizza with a couple of starter type dishes.
The décor is weird. It’s like they hired someone to do bad graffiti on their walls. Not really what you would expect in a rock bar.

I’ve grown up with loud rock music all my life, and have the T-​shirts, tinnitus and pictures of me with an ill-​suited ponytail to prove it. In spite of this, I’ve never really got on with rock pubs. In the same way that rock/​metal hasn’t really done anything new or interesting since the mid to late ‘90s (as proved by the Download headliners of the past few years — all the usual suspects and nothing that you could call 21^st Century rock), most rock pubs seem happy to ignore progress, with the same bands on the jukebox, the bog standard rock pub décor and the same old service. Happily, Rockus isn’t like that, and is a good indicator of the potential these places have if they decide to live in the now.
Being in Finnieston probably has a lot to do with it. Up against some pretty stiff competition, it can’t just do the boring dark walls/​Pantera/​pint of diesel that most other places get away with. For a start it looks great, with an interesting graffiti vibe, a projection wall that doesn’t get in the way and some decent seating areas. It’s also got a great drinks selection: The Trooper on bottles, and some decent beers on tap. Cocktails are also dirt cheap, but transcend their price point. Can’t talk about the food, but would be willing to give it a go. The free (possibly for a short while, but hopefully for ever) pinball and jukebox is a great bonus, and the jukebox has a good mix of stuff away from the usual standards. It’ll probably be mobbed on gig nights at the Hydro though, which is either a good thing or a bad thing…
Finnieston needs pubs like this to stop it from disappearing up its backside a wee bit, and certainly has enough attitude to go round. Hopefully this attitude makes its way to some of their competitors and brings them to life a wee bit!

The night was blacker than a politician’s heart (if they even have one) and the heavens had opened. Every single drop of water in the sky was heading for the Glasgow streets, and I was out in it. I’d just left The Hydro, and was looking to carry on the rockin’ vibe I was caught in.
I remembered talk of this new rock place near that end of the town. Ducking into a phone box (Hey, they DO still have uses!) I checked on my phone, and it was within 2 minutes walk of where I was.
Close as it was, I still ended up soaking up more water than a squeegee on speed.
It’s a good job that Rockus was worth the soaking. It has a great feel to it, a proper old school rock pub. If you’re at home in Glasgow’s other rock bar, The Solid, then you’ll be at home here instantly.
I had a pint of Zombier, based on the name alone. It was that kind of night. I then had a bottle of Trooper beer, the Iron Maiden ale. Honestly, both drinks absolutely made for a place like this. The cocktail list themed to the surroundings is also a great touch!
As it was just after a rock gig at the Hydro, lots of people had the same idea as me, and the bar filled up quickly. The staff coped admirably, and the free jukebox is such an awesome idea, everyone was picking songs, and the tunes kept the atmosphere good.
The post gig crowd helped, but I saw enough to know that I will be back here, and I will enjoy it. I look forward to getting stuck into the food, and giving them the mythical fifth star of grooviness for it :)
I just hope next time, I’m a bit drier!

I love this place! I’m a rock chick though so massively biased. I had seen this place on the social power of facebook, it appealed and the food menu looked good so I knew I had to visit soon. Few hours later I was perched at one of their high tables. Boom!
I was not disappointed. The food was delicious, it’s a small menu but a good choice. Spiced beef burger with whole grain mustard and skinny fries you say? Oh yes please! See my photo for proof.
I’ve been back a few times now and the place has a great atmosphere, friendly staff and a good stash of drinks on sale. They have a free jukebox with awesome tunes and a free AC/​DC pin ball machine, for playing with The Who on in the background for effect. That just me?
There is no sticky floors and nothing dive like about it. I’m still figuring out if I miss that element of a usual rock bar or not. It makes up with its spray painted graffiti covered walls and a large screen playing constant awesome bands ooh including The Muppets. Oh man, this place really does reek of cool.
Not been yet? How no? It’s excellent!
Rawk!!!

Recently opened Rockus has the misfortune of being in a building which seems to have bad luck staying open! A good few pubs have tried their luck here, only to close within 3 – 6 months, and I really hope Rockus is the one to survive. If the word FREE doesn’t get your attention then nothing will! Sadly, not free booze, but a free jukebox (not on weekend evenings, there’s a DJ then) AND a free AC/​DC pinball machine!!!
There’s a good selections of beers, ciders and spirits on offer, haven’t really noticed the wine, but I’d be more likely to drink wine at home or with a meal. The place is clean, decorated with ‘graffiti’ and a bit more shiny than your average rock bar! It is small however, and narrow, so moving about on a Saturday night can be tricky!
I’ve yet to try the food, will take myself off there soon to check it out, but so far I’m liking the place, and glad to have another rock bar, and not in the city centre for a change!

Known by some of the locals as ‘the haunted house’, this place has changed hands routinely over the last few years; constantly shifting management. Previous incarnations include Pourhouse.
Now a new joint called Rockus with a rock music theme (think Rufus or Solid Rock), this place has a more over ‘brand’ which makes it stand out on the Finnieston strip of premium restaurants and bars.
A funky décor inside, the layout doesn’t stray too far from previous bars, aside from tall tables (be warned, shorties). A FREE AC/​DC pinball machine and FREE jukebox go a long way in offering me up reasons for return journeys, as well as the bar prices; including £2.50 for a Stolichnaya and mix (all the time). Cocktail menu was substantial and reasonably priced, actively appealing to the gin lovers who are slowly taking over Finnieston.
A modest food menu (if you don’t like burgers, you might be lost) and the promise of DJ’s etc and this may very well stick around much longer than the last residents of the haunted house.
Nestled between so many great bars, it will be a challenge. I hope they do well though.

As if the Finnieston stretch of Argyle Street wasn’t already amazing enough for bars, up has popped Rockus, a new rock themed bar that is definitely just adding to the splendour this street already has.
This bar in one visit has hurled itself up to the top of one of my favourite bars in the city, with the graffiti walls décor, the pinball machine, the incredible selection of beer and other alcohols on offer, and last but most certainly not least, their incredible free jukebox in the corner, I really don’t see how anyone could not enjoy it!
It’s not very big, so I can imagine with it’s location it could get packed pretty easily, but it was relatively quiet when some of us Unilocalers stormed the place. I’ve heard they do food, so I’ll definitely need to back to try that and see if the elusive 5^th star can be achieved!

I really love the Finnieston area and its the neighborhood I live in and frequent the most. The bars and restaurants are all super slick, the people that frequent them mild mannered and friendly and its probably the most up and coming area of Glasgow.
BUT, I am tending to find, everything is beginning to look all a bit samey on this now famous strip, so when Rockus opened up, (styled as a Rock bar) I was pretty excited. Rockus really is a true breath of fresh air for this area. It has a bit of edge, the punters had tattoos and piercings, it didn’t look like they had spent hours in front of a mirror getting ready, real peopel! The music was rockin’ and loud, it wasn’t like being in middle class Finnieston at all, and I liked that!
The bar itself has gratified walls, murals, projectors showing metal concerts, animal skull decorations, an AC/​DC pinball machine (oh yes) and a FREE jukebox. What is not to like about this?
Beer selection was good, having some fine German beers in the fridge and the tricky to find Zombier by Fyne Ales on draught.
I’ve yet to try the food, but my next visit will certainly incorporate a burger, which could up my rating to the elusive 5^th star (if its any good). Although it has only very recently opened, Rockus could grow into something quite excellent. I’m v. v. excited!