Kempock Bar
Gourock

A few years ago, the pub was said to possess the best jukebox selection in the west of Scotland – partly because regulars were allowed to deposit their own CDs inside it in order that they can listen to their own music whilst in the bar.

The Kempock’s host, Jim Robertson, once played drums in the sixties group the Silhouettes, and is still known to occupy the drummer’s stool during the pub’s occasional Sunday jam sessions.

Celebrities to have been spotted in the bar include Robbie Coltrane, Richard Wilson, Marti Pellow and Capercaillie.

Your children may recognise the inside of The Kempock because it featured as an occasional location in the BBC drama “Waterloo Road”.

The Kempock’s whisky selection is large, eclectic and varied. Jim Robertson visited Whisky Live! in Tokyo with whisky writer John Lamond to experience Japan’s excitement with whisky. This has resulted in some exotic and esoteric bottling appearing on the gantry.

The bar is one of The Famous Grouse’s Famous 100 British Pubs and won the title “Whiskey Bar of the Year” in the Scotland Prestige Awards 2022/23.