Bars, Restaurants and Entertainment in Glasgow

With a history of mythological proportions to livecosy atmosphere" this is a metropolitan bar that
up to, the modern cosmopolitan city of Glasgowis unselfconscious about providing what its clientele
has a thriving nightlife. Then again, was it ever anywants. Low lighting supplemented with candles set
different? Perhaps unsurprisingly, Glasgow citythe scene and ambience on your entry to this
council makes more information available to itsbar. This is one of the few bars in Glasgow where
citizens on alcohol and drugs related issues thanyou can sit and chat without shouting, also some
any other in the UK. Like many cities, at some ofexcellent jazz bands play there at week-ends.
the bars you'll literally see people falling out ofRestaurants:
them and, it is rumoured, you can alsoNothing to do with battered and deep fried 'Mars
occasionally still see people come flying out them.bars' etc; is a restaurant of fine repute in Glasgow
The city centre is to say the least, vibrant at- the Ubiquitous Chip. Located on Ashton Lane, to
night-time and a good night out is often judged bythe west of the city centre and above the main
the noise being generated, more noise equalling aUniversity of Glasgow campus, it is noted for its
better night out! Many city centre bars have beenuse of local Scottish produce such as Ayrshire
refurbished to move away from the image oflamb, Dumfries rabbit or Perth woodpigeon.
'spit and sawdust' that stereotypes them. WhilstThere's a pricey restaurant downstairs and a less
the style of the bars might have changed theexpensive bistro upstairs; a three course dinner in
atmosphere of unpretentiousness and 'let thethe restaurant will cost £40 per head or in
good times roll' hasn't. The trendiest andthe bistro around £25 per head - prices
smoothest bars are in the 'Merchant' area, on theexclude drinks of course. Ubiquitous Chip has one
east side of the city centre, near the Cathedral.of the best wine lists in the UK, let alone Glasgow.
Bars and Pubs:With plenty of decent wines in the £20 to
It would seem fitting for Glasgow to have a pub£30 range, you could also indulge yourself
claiming to have the longest bar in the UK. Thewith say a 1989 Chateau Beychevelle Claret at
Horseshoe on Drury Lane is that pub, although£140 a bottle. After the meal the list of
there is a pub in Birmingham that would disputemalt whiskies is as comprehensive as the wine list,
this. A legendary pub in Glasgow renowned for itsthe apex of which is a 25 year old Mcallan at over
cheap and good value lunches, it also serves a£25 a measure.
good selection of lagers and real ales.At completely the other end of the spectrum,
Winner of what, to non-Scots, must seem thewith outlets on Buccleuch Street and Ashton
silliest pub name in Glasgow is the BabbityLane, is the Wee Curry Shop. You can get a
Bowster on Blackfriars Street. This is the pub tothree course dinner here for around £10 in
go to in the city centre for a relaxing drink - athis Indian restaurant, that is acknowledged as
rare opportunity in Glasgow. Outdoors there's aserving some of the best curries north of the
garden, barbecue and boules area; whilst in theborder.
winter you can sit inside by the peat fire andEntertainment:
enjoy a meal with a drink or two. This pub hasThe undoubted capital of Scotland's live music
quite a refined ambience and is mainly frequentedscene - Glasgow has such famous venues as;
by Glasgow's professionals and tourists.King Tut's Wah Wah Hut on St Vincent Street
Interestingly a Babbity Bowster is a Scottishand Barrowlands on the Gallowgate. Both of these
dance.venues have hosted appearances by most of the
There is, of course, the inevitable Wetherspoon'stop modern music acts in Britain over the recent
drinking cathedral in the city. The Crystal Palace,decades. The top line touring acts use the
on Jamaica Street near the Central Station, isScottish Exhibition & Conference Centre, in
actually the second largest pub in the city; whichthe west of the city. Other major venues in
occupies a building that was formerly a furnitureGlasgow include; the Royal Concert Hall, the City
store and still retains the original 'cage' lift. This pubHalls and the Old Fruit Market. For clubbers
attracts an interesting night-time mixture of'Arches' on Argyle Street is probably the place to
clubbers, theatre-goers and locals.head for, it regularly books the best DJs/MCs in
Blackfriars, on Bell Street in the 'Merchant City'Europe. The Theatre Royal in Glasgow is on Hope
quarter of Glasgow, is by all accounts probablyStreet. As well as staging dramas and musicals it
the best bar in Glasgow. Variously described asis the home of Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet.
being "a soothing spot for a drink" and having "a