There’s a new beast in Glasgow’s West End—and it’s barking up a storm. Thunderdog Pub + Diner, the latest venture from Michael Bergson, the man behind Buck’s Bar and Thundercat, has officially opened its doors on Byres Road, bringing a shot of Americana to one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.
Set in the former Rum Bongo unit, Thunderdog is impossible to miss. Ripped out and re-fitted by Vertice Projects within a short six-week timeframe, its glowing neon signage, exposed brick walls and retro booth seating promise good times before you’re even through the door. Inside, it’s a love letter to stateside diner culture, with a twist of Glasgow attitude.
“We wanted to create something big, bold and fun for the West End,” says Bergson. “Thunderdog is all about indulgence. The food’s loud, the drinks are loud, the music’s loud—but there’s still that friendly neighbourhood feel we’ve always gone for.”
Food for the fearless
The menu is a crowd-pleaser packed with unapologetic comfort food: think deep-dish pizzas dripping in cheese, sticky BBQ brisket, loaded chilli dogs, fried pickles and the now-iconic buttermilk fried chicken burgers that put Buck’s Bar on the map. If it’s messy, meaty or made for sharing, you’ll find it here.
“I’d say the ‘Buttermilk Fried Chicken Dog’ is already becoming a strong favourite,” says Sunita Hammond, the Group’s Social Media manager & Content Creator. “It’s fried chicken shaped like a hot dog — totally over-the-top, but so good. People are taking pictures of everything before they eat, which makes my job that wee bit easier!”
Drinks are just as headline-grabbing. Pints start at £4.50, with hard shakes, retro cocktails and bourbon flights keeping the bar buzzing well into the evening. DJs spin funk, soul and disco Thursday through Sunday, turning Thunderdog into more of a dive-bar-meets-dancefloor hybrid by night.
The biggest yet
With space for over 160 guests between its indoor and outdoor areas, this is Bergson’s largest venue to date. But scale hasn’t come at the cost of soul.
“We always say we’re not just opening restaurants — we’re building places people want to be,” Bergson explains. “Thunderdog is playful and a bit mad, but underneath it all, it’s about good service and atmosphere.”
The venue has already drawn queues down Byres Road, with weekend bookings snapped up within hours of the launch announcement. According to Lucy, it’s not just locals popping in.
“We’re seeing folk from the Southside and city centre coming out just to try it. And plenty of regulars from Buck’s and Thundercat too — it’s like they’ve followed the scent.”
A pack leader in the making
“It’s fantastic to see a passionate and proven operator like Michael launch Thunderdog within the Iona estate,” says Alan Sayers, Operations Director at Iona Pub. “His energy, creativity and track record speak for themselves, and we’re thrilled to support him and his team on this exciting new venture. We wish them every success and can’t wait to see how the brand develops in the months ahead.”
With Thunderdog, Bergson and his team have taken their signature formula—bold food, loud design, late-night energy — and turned it up another notch. It’s a confident new addition to the city’s ever-evolving food and drink scene, and one that’s sure to keep tongues wagging.
So, whether you’re in it for the chicken dogs, the disco beats or just a cold pint and a deep booth to sink into, Thunderdog looks set to be the West End’s next cult classic.
