Glasgow has a huge variety of pubs, clubs
and eateries no matter which area you are staying in.
In case you can't be bothered exploring, here are some
suggestions based on years of visiting on UNISON business
and, unlikely though it seems, sometimes even just for
pleasure.
For the purposes of this virtual pub crawl
we've left out the plethora of Wetherspoons. There will
be one near you if you must.
Near the SECC
The problem is that there isn't much near
the SECC. We tend to take a walk across the railway bridge
and up to the Argyle Street area (anything after Number
930 is reasonably nearby, less than No 400 is back at
Central Station).
Worthy of note is the The Ben Nevis, Argyle
Street: Small, huge whisky selection and craft beers and
quirky décor. Drink rather than food. Nearby are
BrewDog, Firebird and Lebowskis.
Merchant City
Named after the tobacco merchants who plied
their trade and lived here, this bridges old Glasgow with
the city's few remaining pre-Victorian buildings and the
Victorian city centre.
Blackfriars in Bell Street is just along
from the UNISON Glasgow City Branch office and has a good
revolving choice of beers and better than average food.
If you are lucky you will meet branch officers planning
the next strike.
The Blane Valley in Glassford Street was
called the 'New Blane Valley' until it was done up. That
has always confused us. This used to be the Glasgow Branch
housing stewards haunt. Not a great selection of beers
but very reasonably priced food.
On the trendier side is the Beer Cafe in
Candleriggs and the bars and restaurants in the John Street
piazza if it's sunny.
Babbity Bowser in Blackfriars Street is
housed in what was a tobacco merchant's house, with a
good sized outside area, tucked away in a quiet spot.
Good variety of ales and imaginative food with a French
accent.
West End
With Byers Road at its social centre, this
student, trendy, artistic area merges with old Glasgow
institutions and has a huge variety of pubs and restaurants.
Bohemian Ashton Lane is a bustle of pubs and restaurants
including fine dining at the Ubiquitous Chip.
Some of the many bars around the area worthy of note include
old favourites
like the Curlers Rest in Byres Road named
due to the curling pond that used to be nearby. Done up
in recent years but is reputed to be the oldest pub in
the street,
Brel in Ashton Lane has Flemish beers and
moules frites. More traditional pubs include Tennent's
Bar in Byres Road and the Three Judges in Dumbarton Road,
both with large cask selections. Inn Deep is a relatively
new place in an arch under Kelvinbridge, which serves
many cask ales and food.
The Doublet in Park Road, just across the
road from the STUC, is cosy, friendly, serves real ales
and is frequented by politicos from the STUC, acts and
audiences from The Stand Comedy Club, and locals.
City Centre
The Pot Still in Hope Street has a massive
whisky selection and wide choice of cask ales. A fine
institution. Sloans in the Argyll Arcade has cask ales,
good food and an outside area. It boasts a ballroom upstairs
with movie nights and is the headquarters of SMAC, the
Scottish Macaroni Appreciation Club (honestly).
The Horse Shoe Bar in Drury Street is a
must visit. Wide ales selection, fantastic horseshoe bar
and mirrors, pies that were once praised by Keith Floyd
and Travis used to practice in the room upstairs.
The Griffin in Bath Street has a theatrical
feel (across from the Kings Theatre) with stained glass,
tiles and booth seating. Nearby in Holland Street The
State is also worth a visit.
Music selection
The Scotia Bar in Stockwell Street is renowned
for its live music. Billy Connolly, Gerry Rafferty, The
Poets, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band and Hamish Imlach
have all been here.
Nice'n'Sleazy in Sauchiehall Street has
food and drink during the day, live music and DJs at night.
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut in St Vincent Street is a showcase
for new and emerging bands. MacSorley's in Jamaica Street
has glorious windows, great atmosphere, ales and live
music.
Eating out
There are too many eateries to list but
a look at the curry houses is a must. Glasgow curries
are famed as much as Bradford or Birmingham and every
Weegie will have a view on what is the best.
Near the SECC is India Quay and other suggestions
by area are: West End: Ashoka West End, Mr Singh's, Mother
India, Shenaz. City Centre: Assams, Rawalpindi, Akbars,
Asmaan. Bombay Blues and the Koh-I-Noor (reputedly the
oldest having opened in 1964) both have buffets. Merchant
City: Café India, KoolBa, Dhabba, Dakhin (South
Indian).
There is also a huge Italian heritage in
Glasgow. The Art Deco building that houses Rogano in Exchange
Place has been a restaurant since 1935.
A fair number of restaurants are round the
adjoining Royal Exchange Square including Di Maggios.
The award winning La Lanterna in Hope Street claims to
be Glasgow's oldest family run Italian restaurant. A small
rustic favourite is Azzuro in Cambridge Street.
In any case you will trip over food pubs
and restaurants just about wherever you are. But a warning
about chip shops. Instead of the sophisticated Edinburgh
tradition of salt and sauce on a fish supper, Glaswegians
have salt and vinegar.
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