Curly Coo Bar

The Curly Coo really doesn’t look much from the outside. We sought it out because it has a cute name and good reviews, but almost turned away before walking in! The poor building has seen better days and could use a lick of paint or… something.
Walking inside felt a little intense. There’s a central round bar surrounded with a small-​ish seating area on either side. There were only a couple of locals and the bar lady in there when we walked in, so it felt a little like we were disturbing them!
But we were given a warm welcome by the proprietor, who was also great for a chat and was generally very friendly. The interior is interestingly decorated. It feels a bit old-​man-​pub-​ish but is somewhat more cheerful than that. There are loads and loads of malt whiskey tubes proudly displayed around the bar, as you soon realise that this place focusses itself on being a ‘whiskey bar’ more than a general pub.
Nevertheless, there are lots of non-​whiskey drinks on offer. I was pleased that the go-​to rum for a rum and coke was the always excellent Kraken. They also had some very fancy soft-​drinks on offer.
The Curly Coo is definitely worth poking your head in, especially if you’re into whiskey. I wouldn’t fancy staying for more than a couple, though.

I’ve only been in here a couple of times since the new owner took over and what an improvement she has made.
The old bar, with it’s off putting regulars is now a distant memory and in it’s place a friendly, warm environment has taken it’s place. This is in no small part, I’m sure, due to the enthusiastic owner, who has created a wonderful space which regulars and infrequent patrons can enjoy.
The bar is stocked with a variety of great quality and fairly priced spirits and beers and the whiskey selection is down right wonderful. It would take more a than a few visits to try a dram of everything they have to offer.
I have seen live music in here and while the space isn’t massive the music did not over power the evening at all and the music could be enjoyed without detracting from conversations with friends.
A very lovely bar, which I will most defiantly go to again.

The Curly Coo is a unique bar with a truly WONDERFUL selection of fine whiskies, and some great ales too — Orkney Brewery Yes Please!!! It’s proprieter Mandy is a discerning and shrewd business woman. She never neglects to warmly welcome new customers, and has been careful to cultivate a clientele rather different from the rowdy-​by-​reputation lot of the previous establishment in the building.
She is however yet to tap into the local music scene — a successful gig by local favourites the Precious Penny Pluckers does not seem to have enticed her to host similar events. In Stirling it is local music which makes pubs, esp if these pubs do not serve food. However, Mandy is offering plenty more — she hosts whisky tastings with cheese boards for the reasonable price of twenty pounds. Her whisky selection — did I mention — is second to NONE and she is steadily gaining a regular clientele.
She is interested in cultivating a traditional music scene and I would like to see this happen. However, the trad sessions run in stirling are usually hosted by musicians, who get other musicians to come — and these musicians are paid a small weekly fee for their hosting, This is understandably a daunting expense for a small business owner who has recently established a premises in a new city.
I would like to see Mandy and the Curly Coo become a staple of Stirling pub and cultural life. We need more good bars which are not too studenty, which are independently run, and which offer great drinks. We need places like the Curly Coo. And if she does ever manage to get a traditional music culture going, me and my fiddle would be more than happy to support it.
In the meantime, stick yer head round the door, treat yerself to a great whisky, and find out some more about one of Stirling’s newest businesses.

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!