Bars, Restaurants and Entertainment in Glasgow

With a history of mythological proportions to match, the modern cosmopolitan city of Glasgow has a thriving nightlife. Then again, was it ever different? Perhaps unsurprisingly, Glasgow City Council makes more information on drug and alcohol issues available to its citizens than any other in the UK. Like many cities, in some of the bars you will literally see people falling out of them and, rumor has it, you can also occasionally see people flying out of them. The city center is vibrant at night to say the least and a good night out is often judged by how much noise is generated, more noise equals a better night out! Many city center bars have been refurbished to move away from the ‘spit and sawdust’ image that stereotypes them. While the style of the bars might have changed, the atmosphere of simplicity and ‘let the good times roll’ hasn’t. The most modern and relaxed bars are located in the ‘Merchant’ area, on the east side of the city center, near the Cathedral.

Bars and Pubs:

It seems fitting that Glasgow has a pub that claims to have the longest bar in the UK. The Horseshoe on Drury Lane is that pub, although there is one pub in Birmingham that would question it. A legendary Glasgow pub known for its cheap and good value lunches, also serving a good selection of lagers and ales.

The winner of what, to non-Scots, must sound like the silliest pub name in Glasgow is Babbity Bowster on Blackfriars Street. This is the pub to go to in the city center for a relaxing drink, a rare opportunity in Glasgow. Outside there is a garden, barbecue and petanque area; while in winter you can sit inside by the peat fire and enjoy a meal with a drink or two. This pub has quite a refined atmosphere and is frequented mainly by professionals and tourists from Glasgow. Interestingly, a Babbity Bowster is a Scottish dance.

There is, of course, the inevitable Wetherspoon’s cathedral of drinks in the city. The Crystal Palace, on Jamaica Street near Central Station, is actually the second largest pub in the city; which occupies a building that was formerly a furniture store and still retains the original ‘cage’ lift. This pub attracts an interesting late-night mix of clubbers, theater goers and locals.

Blackfriars, on Bell Street in Glasgow’s ‘Merchant City’, is probably the best bar in Glasgow. Variously described as “a relaxing place to have a drink” and with “a cozy atmosphere”, this is a metropolitan bar that doesn’t worry about providing what its clientele wants. Dim lighting complemented by candlelight sets the scene and mood as you enter this bar. This is one of the few bars in Glasgow where you can sit and chat without shouting, also some great jazz bands play there on the weekends.

Restaurants:

Nothing to do with battered and fried ‘Mars bars’ etc.; is a highly reputable restaurant in Glasgow: the Ubiquitous Chip. Located on Ashton Lane, west of the city center and on the main campus of the University of Glasgow, it is noted for its use of local Scottish produce such as Ayrshire lamb, Dumfries rabbit and Perth wood pigeon. There is an expensive restaurant downstairs and a less expensive bistro upstairs; a three-course dinner in the restaurant will cost £40 per person or in the bistro around £25 per person; prices do not include drinks, of course. Ubiquitous Chip has one of the best wine lists in the UK, not to mention Glasgow. With plenty of decent wines in the £20-£30 range, you can also treat yourself to a 1989 Chateau Beychevelle Claret at £140 a bottle. After your meal, the single malt whiskey list is as comprehensive as the wine list, the apex of which is a 25-year-old Mcallan at over £25 a shot.

At the other end of the spectrum, with outlets on Buccleuch Street and Ashton Lane, is the Wee Curry Shop. You can get a three-course dinner here for around £10 at this Indian restaurant, which is renowned for serving some of the best curries north of the border.

Entertainment:

The undoubted capital of Scotland’s live music scene – Glasgow has such famous venues as; King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut at St Vincent Street and the Barrowlands in Gallowgate. Both venues have hosted appearances by most of Britain’s top modern music acts in recent decades. Frontline touring acts use the Scottish Conference and Exhibition Center in the west of the city. Other important places in Glasgow include; the Royal Concert Hall, the Town Halls and the Old Fruit Market. For clubbers, ‘Arches’ on Argyle Street is probably the place to go as it often hires the best DJ/MC’s in Europe. Glasgow’s Theater Royal is on Hope Street. In addition to staging dramas and musicals, it is home to the Scottish Opera and the Scottish Ballet.

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