Friday February 13th 2026
Merchant Square, Glasgow
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Drew Sandelands
A chain of Irish taverns is planning to open its first pub in Scotland in Glasgow’s Merchant Square.
Katie O’Brien’s, which currently has 10 venues in England, is taking over the former Bar Soba unit in the Merchant City complex, the city’s licensing board heard.
Board members agreed to a request to vary the premises’ licence to suit the new occupants at a meeting today (Friday).
A representative for the firm said an investment of £400,000 was planned, with the new venture set to create around 40 jobs. The firm has plans to open three venues in Scotland in total, he added.
The chain, which has premises in Newcastle, Birmingham, York and Leeds, claims to be “your go-to for great craic, live music and the perfect pint”.
“They opened their first one in 2006,” their representative added. “This would be their first premises in Scotland.
“They are actually a Scottish company so their opening here is very much overdue, it’s something they have had particular ambitions to do for a wee while, it’s just been about finding the right premises.”
Its Albion Street premises would replace long-standing bar and restaurant Bar Soba, which announced its permanent closure in January last year. The Asian fusion restaurant opened back in 2015.
Licensing board members were told the new bar would have a focus on live music.
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