The City Walls has officially reopened after a month-long refurbishment.
The well-known pub in Stirling had their grand re-opening this week after undergoing complete interior and exterior design changes.
Complete renovations were brought into the pub thanks to a large six-figure investment from Belhaven, their parent company.
Inside, the pub features all-new decorations, a completely new bar design, new seating areas, bathrooms, and changes to their previous layout, bringing everything together with a modern touch.
The City Walls was known for being a favourite spot of both students and local residents for live music, watching sport, playing pool as well as a reasonably priced meal and pint. It’s interesting to see how they managed to retain its character with a refurbishment.
The interior is enhanced through new colourful wall designs, multi-coloured and flower-themed fabrics, as well as hanging and potted plants.
The Greene King pub’s charisma also lies in their menu, with an endless list of food options, cocktails, drinks, draft beers (Flint Eye and Level Head have been added), ciders, and more.
They have upgraded their cocktail menu adding 6 new cocktails and spritzs as well as adding the option of jug sizes. Their Christmas cocktails are also fun, including a blackberry tequila cocktail and a festive floral fizz. The cocktail and champagne table option is another new addition showing The City Walls is expanding their offerings.
Most notable for the food was the brand new brunch, Sunday roast, and seniors menu. The brunch menu featured your classic options but at a reasonable price (eggs, and avocado on crumpets for under £7 these days is unheard of). The seniors’ menu is a nice touch, offering two or three cheaper courses of smaller portions, something students will capitalise off as well.
The City Walls Assistant Manager Maranna Devine is very happy to welcome back new and old customers to the pub. She says, “The refurb has gone really well. I think everyone is enjoying themselves, and the setting and atmosphere works so well with the music that people can still mingle.
The setting change has opened the pub up for socialising. The pool tables which used to be in the furthest back area have now been moved into a designated ‘sports zone’ clearly showing a change in purpose and aim from City Walls. The back area has not been made redundant however instead turned into a classy table area giving a restaurant feel to part of the pub.
“It’s been a lot of work to get to this point, but it’s been so worth it, it really has. It’s really nice to see people joining us here tonight.
“The pub hadn’t been touched for many years, and it was tired and needed some life. We have modernised it and given it a nice new modern vibe.
“It looks completely different to the way it did before and that’s my favourite part. Coming in and seeing was nice and refreshing!
“In terms of the refurb it was mainly aesthetic. We introduced some new draft products such as our lager on draft, new spirits including gins and vodka, as well as our Christmas cocktails, but because we’re a part of Greene King our menu is the same as before.”
One major change is the newly refurbished roof terrace beer garden which can seat up to 70 people, featuring a new heated awning, attractive foliage and cosy garden lighting, allowing customers to try it out all year round.
“I am expecting it to be very busy since a lot of customers are going to want to see it now. I am excited to welcome all our customers back as well as new customers too!”
Featured Image Credit – The City Walls
Aspiring Journalist
Fourth-year Journalism Student and Sports Editor of BRIG Newspaper at Stirling University
Film, Media and Journalism student who writes about things that catch her interest. Instagram @charlsutcliffe
