It's official - Glasgow is home to one of the coolest cocktail bars in the whole of the UK.
Earlier this month, we reported on the success of The Absent Ear, which, at a ceremony in London, was named the 26th best cocktail bar in the country.
Following the award, the team took to Twitter to say: "Unbelievably excited to have gotten #26 in the #top50cocktailbars! Thanks so much to @50cocktailbars and everyone who decided this award!!! Beyond words proud of our team and our community!"
Yet, despite this major shout-out, much of the 'GlasGogh bar' - inspired by the artist, as you may have guessed from the name - remains shrouded in mystery. Tucked away at basement level, guests are only given the address of drinking den when they complete their booking.
Hidden away in a dimly lit location and giving off serious speakeasy-style vibes, even the judges behind the Top 50 Cocktail Awards admitted it 'had proven difficult to find much more out about the bar', adding: 'however, social media and review websites are ablaze with rave reviews.'
One person who was lucky enough to uncover it - despite probably having been sworn to secrecy - said this about the elusive underground haunt: "The whole experience was fantastic. Something completely different and done so well. Each cocktail had its own flair and tasted amazing."
Another commented: "From the minute you enter it is an experience", hailing the 'intriguing' drinks selection.
A further guest let it slip they do off-menu cocktails too - concocted from their likes and dislikes, while one visitor simply said: "This place was something else".
And while it's clear people are popping downstairs for the unique atmosphere, what's on the cocktail menu at Absent Ear, as the word spreads rapidly across the city?
Well, that's another thing, they're not going to spill their secrets all over social media, however, they have our attention with a couple of teasers.
Just last week they shared a snap, taken by 'an anonymous artist' of "An artful, Ear-ful combo of our favourite flavours and a pleasant pun in a foxy Petraske fizz with a street-art serve."
But what's inside? This one-of-a-kind cocktail contains no less than avallen calvados, roku gin, discarded vodka mac, lychee, pandan, Islay whisky, house acid, preserved bergamot, whites and crement, enough to take the edge off after a tough work week, for sure.
Then there's a drink we doubt you'd come across anywhere else across the country, the 'soup de jour', a Carrot and Coriander Mary, comprising carrot, coriander, galangal, amontillado sherry, MSG, tamari, your spirit of choice, and '50 or so other yummy items.'
And of course, there would need to be a nod to their artful inspiration. Introducing the Vincent Man Gogh - mango, coconut, fino, green peppercorn, pandan, malic acid.
It's clear the team know their cocktails, and they're not to bad on the pun front too.
But by the time you find out where Absent Ear is, the drinks menu may have completely changed - in a bid to maintain its secrecy, its cocktail offering is constantly rotated.
What more can we whisper about one of the UK's top cocktail destinations?
We best ask The Absent Ear owner for permission first. He told Glasgow Live: "We are the best kept secret in town, and we love it that way.
"The Absent Ear is the sort of place you hope to stumble upon late at night, a hidden haven with the most indulgent cocktails you could ever imagine.
"Finding us at all is a challenge, so if you finally do manage to get into our late-night wonderland, you’ll find a hedonistic haven from your wildest dreams.
"We're of course delighted with the national recognition of hitting no.26 in the Top 50 cocktail bars - so we are definitely worth searching for - just don’t tell anyone else where it is, or you won’t get back in!"
To book a spot at The Absent Ear, you can visit their website here.
