Just caught up with this thread. Places in Stirling? Well, for meeting up, Wetherspoons would be fine if you don't mind swapping atmosphere for cheap booze. For a slightly more trad pub feel, there's No.2 Baker Street across the road, or the rather expensive new 'craft beer' Brewdog pub. All these are very close to each other in Baker Street and a five minute walk from the station. Lots of other pubs are available!
For food, I think Pat's concerns are well founded - I expect it will be difficult to get a meal booking for a sizeable group, this close to Christmas. We had a good Xmas evening meal at Brea, next door to Brewdog, but it is tiny and probably booked up.
You might be able to get a table at Wetherspoons or somewhere similarly large, like The City Walls. There is a large, new multi-ethnic buffet restaurant, Namaste which has just opened, on Dumbarton Road, but I haven't tried it yet. There are several Indian/Pakistani restaurants and all are good, in my experience. I also like the Aussie-themed Kilted Kangaroo, which does reasonably priced pub food and is fairly large.
) Might even be able to give lift from my neck of the woods...
. I'm back from my self-imposed exile...
He can do more than drink Tea? ?? 
- or you could just Man Up and 
.
So nae doing that. Will see if I can get the car.
