11 minute read
Merchant City
Glasgow Merchant City is a neighbourhood with its own identity located within the city centre area. Like many inner city areas throughout the world, the Merchant City has transformed itself from a former commercial trading area into the cool, chic haven of style that exists today. But it wasn’t always that way.
Glasgow’s Merchant City Discover the Merchant City ...
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The Merchant City is one of the oldest quarters of Glasgow and has been the home to monks, merchants and merry makers for centuries. In medieval times orangeries and rose gardens once scented the air, but as the city developed this pretty little area is where the dog and bird markets, bowling greens and places of entertainment could be found.
Throughout the eighties and nineties the Merchant City has been revitalised. Old warehouses became modern fashion houses;
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Unlimited free superfast wifi 0845 539 9956 | glasgow@eurohostels.co.uk | www.eurohostels.co.uk Euro Hostel @Eurohostels @eurohostels 15% OFF t&cs apply empty market buildings have been given new life as restaurants or bars and loft living and the birth of a strong and vibrant community arrived in style.
Artists colonised run-downworkshops and empty shop units; vacated merchants houses became hotels and restaurants while redundant churches have found new congregations in the theatre-going and music-loving audiences of the city; namely the Tron Theatre and St. Andrew’s in the Square.
Today the Merchant City is a remarkable mix of stylish bars, boutique hotels, luxury apartments, restaurants, shops and artists galleries. And amongst it all there still survive a few hidden gems, such as the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall where Stan Laurel made his debut or the architectural splendour of the magnificent 18th century St. Andrew’s in the Square or the sublime City Halls and Old Fruitmarket.
Whatever the content of these buildings the style and elegance of the architecture remains to be enjoyed by all. The wider Glasgow Area is CLOSED to visitors
Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow is located in the heart of Glasgow’s historic Style Mile in the restored, renaissanceinspired Athenaeum Theatre. Established in 1893, this striking theatre has musical history of its own: originally a music school, it later became the home to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama. With historic musical memorabilia gracing every wall, Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow fits right into the historic charm of the area and honors the history of the Athenaeum Theatre.
TRON THEATRE 63 Trongate G1 5HB 0141 552 4267 www.tron.co.uk The Tron is one of Scotland’s leading mid-scale producing and preenting theatres. Housing three performance space as well as the Tron Bar & Kitchen, it is a vibrant and bustling creative hub
ST ENOCH 3 MERCHANT CITY GLASGOW POLICE MUSEUM Castle Street G4 0141 552 8198 www.glasgowcathedral.org.uk The present Cathedral building was consecrated in 1197. Since that same period the Cathedral has never been unroofed and it has been a working church for more that 800 years. The cathedral has a regular and active congregation and every visit to the city should make a visit.
ST ENOCH 3 MERCHANT CITY GLASGOW CATHEDRAL Castle Street G4 0141 552 8198 www.glasgowcathedral.org.uk The present Cathedral building was consecrated in 1197. Since that same period the Cathedral has never been unroofed and it has been a working church for more that 800 years. The cathedral has a regular and active congregation and every visit to the city should make a visit. BUCHANAN ST 2 GLASGOW CATHEDRAL CITY HALLS Candleriggs G1 1NQ 0141 353 8000 www.glasgowconcerthalls.com This spectacular hall is the city’s oldest, but most loved, performance and meeting place and home to the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. BUCHANAN ST 3 MERCHANT CITY
Smoked BBQ Food Craft Beer . Live Sport 81-85 Renfield St . Glasgow . G21LP www.theravenglasgow.com
BRITANNIA PANOPTICON MUSIC HALL
ST ANDREWS IN THE SQUARE
AMORE WILSON STREET PANTRY This cosy little cafe/pantry is a haven of good wholesome food and drink and is popular with local residents which makes it the perfect shout if you need a caffeine fix and some freshly baked sweet treats to keep you going. Lunch is always busy so get there early!.
BUCHANAN ST 3 MERCHANT SQ
CITATION TAVERNA & RESTAURANT 40 Wilson Street. G1 1HD. 0141 559 6799. www.citation-glasgow.com Citation is housed in the former landmark Sheriff Court building only a short walk from George Square. It offers a variety of classic and contemporary dishes to suit every palate.
BUCHANAN ST 3 MERCHANT SQ MHARSANTA BAR & RESTAURANT 26 Bell St, Glasgow G1 1LG 0141 552 9900 www.mharsanta.co.uk Mharsanta offers a wonderful selection of new and traditional Scottish dishes. Mharsanta (pronounced “Var-Santah) meaning Merchant in Gaelic has a passion for using seasonal produce from Scotland, the best ready for you to enjoy.
BUCHANAN ST 1 GEORGE SQ
THE MERCHANT CHIPPIE HUTCHESON’S 158 Ingram Street. G1 1EJ 0141 552 4050 www.hutchesonsglasgow.com An award winning fine dining venue set in one of Glasgow’s iconic buildings this lovely restaurant serves the very best dry aged Scottish steak and fresh seafood in classic surroundings.
BUCHANAN ST 1 GEORGE SQ BOTECO DO BRASIL 62 Trongate. G1 5EP 07772 847311 www.botecodobrasil.com Glasgow’s little corner of Brasil. There is always a party going on at Boteco from live salsa to live sport and club nights. Really popular after show venue. Open late.
ST ENOCH 3 MERCHANT SQ
GUYS
INGRAM WYND
KOOLBA
ARISAIG
SAPPORO
Use this guide to plan a FUTURE visit only METROPOLITAN WEST BAR & BREWERY CAFÉ GANDOLFI CITY MERCHANT PAESANO PIZZA 94 Miller Street. G1 1DT 0141 258 5565. www.paesanopizza.co.uk Enjoy great pizza, artisan, wood fired in a funky and very busy city centre location. This is one of Glasgow’s busiest locations so be prepared to wait for a table.
ST ENOCH 3 MERCHANT CITY
Glasgow’s West End district is only about two miles away from the city centre but a world away in terms of its unique character and style. On foot, by subway or bus easily accesses the area which is home to a fantastic and eclectic mixture of attractions, cafes, bars, famous restaurants, a world famous comedy club as well as some really lovely boutique shops.
From the bustling daily activity of Byres Road to hidden gems nestled down historic cobbled lanes, The West End is a “Must Visit” no matter how long your trip to Glasgow is for.
The area is home to some of Glasgow’s most famous attractions. The stunning Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery houses some of Scotland’s most valued collections and is a short walk from the subway and is a stop for the City Sightseeing open top bus. Nearby is the Hunterian Museum, another important
The West End ... historical collection.
Also within easy reach of the West End is the award winning Riverside Transport Museum with the awesome Titan Crane just a little further out towards Clydebank.
If sightseeing on foot in the fresh air is more your thing then take the time to mingle within the cobbled lanes to enjoy the area’s Victorian architecture or wander
around the famous campus at Glasgow University. You may also take time to enjoy the wonderful Botanic Gardens, yet another gem within a few minutes walk of Byres Road.
The West End provides a wonderful opportunity to escape from the city centre and still onlybe ten minutes away. Getting there is easy by subway or City Sightseeing bus.
Discover Glasgow in 21 stops!
Visiting the West End is a great contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city centre. The West End has an altogether more relaxed atmosphere and life moves at a much more relaxed pace.
There are plenty of places where you can stop for coffee or grab lunch and if the weather is favourable lots of outside spaces where you can sit back and watch the world go by.
The West End has some fabulous attractions, museums, boutique shops and a whole list of great restaurants and lively pubs. Have a look at some of our tips here, nearly all of which are within a short walk of either a subway station or sightseeing bus stop. THE RIVERSIDE MUSEUM OF TRANSPORT 100 Pointhouse Place G3 8RS 0141 287 2728 www.glasgowlife.org.uk A vast collections of Glasgow’s transport heritage assembled under one roof showcases the city’s important contribution to transportation through ship building, locomotive construction and car making. The museum can be accessed by foot from the West End.
PARTICK 14 RIVERSIDE MUSEUM
BOTANIC GARDENS KELVINGROVE ART GALLERY & MUSEUM TITAN CRANE Queen’s Quay, Clydebank G81 1BF 0141 952 3771 www.titanclydebank.com Visit one of Scotland’s unique industrial attractions and imagine looking down on the Queen Mary or QE2 as thy were being built. A proud custodian of Glasgow’s shipbuilding past lives on. The museum is a short trip by train or bus from the West End. Argyle Street G3 8AG 0141 276 9500 www.glasgowlife.org.uk Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum is one of Scotland’s most popular free attractions. It has 22 themed, state-of=the-art galleries displaying an astonishing 8,000 objects. The collections are extensive, wide-ranging and internationally significant.
KELVIN HALL 18 KELVINGROVE 730 Great Western Road G12 0UE 0141 276 1614 www.glasgowbotanicgardens.com Glasgow Botanic Gardens is an Arboretum and public park located close to Bhyres Road. It features several glasshourses, the most notable being the Kibble Palace. The gardens are popular for walking and picnics.
HILLHEAD 17 BOTANIC GARDENS
PARTICK 19 KELVINGROVE MASALA TWIST TIKKA TAPAS BAR 192-194 Byres Road G12 8SN 0141 339 3777 www.masalatwist.co.uk Authentic Indian cuisine with a Scottish twist. The chefs deliver classic Indian style dishes using the finest local ingredients. For a twist you can also enjoy rabbit or venison curry as well as pheasant tikka along with all the other well know selections. HILLHEAD 18 BYRES ROAD LA VITA SPUNTINI 199-201 Byres Road G12 8TN 0141 339 4222 www.lavitapizzeria.co.uk Little brother to La Vita in the city centre, Spuntini creates a relaxed place where leisurely meals consisting of Bella Figura or Italian Tapas makes this an ideal family dining experience.
THE BUTCHERSHOP BAR & GRILL THE HUNTERIAN MUSEUM & ART GALLERY University Avenue G12 8QQ 0141 330 4221 www.gla.ac.uk Founded in 1807, the Hunterian is Scotland’s oldest public museum. The museum’s collections inc;ude scientific instruments used by James Watt, Joseph Lister and Lord Kelvin as well as outstanding Roman artefacts and other life science collections. HILLHEAD 16 GLASGOW UNIVERSITY ATHENA GREEK TAVERNA 1116 Argyle Street G3 8TD 0141 339 3895 www.athenataverna.co.uk Locted very close to the West End at Finnieston and within walkung distance of Glasgow University. Athena provides authentic Greek dishes combining the freshest ingredients with old family recipes served in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
HILLHEAD 19 BYRES ROAD 1055 Sauchiehall Street G3 7UD 0141 339 2999 www.butchershopglasgow.com The Butchershop takes pride in serving only the finest grass fed beef, locally sourced and hung for between 21 & 35 days to ensure the finest, most succulent steak imaginable.
PARTICK 19 KELVINGROVE
CAFÉ ANDELUZ WEST END 2 Cresswell Lane G12 8AA Authentic Spanish tapas, paella and a hge range of Spanish wines and cocktails in a relaxed and bustling atmosphere. Cntrally located and a great family destination.
HILLHEAD 18 BYRES ROAD
STRAVAIGIN THE PELICAN CAFE 1377 Argyle Street G3 8AF 0844 573 0670 www.thepelicancafe.co.uk The Pelican Cafe has gained a very strong following since opening. Serving excellent locally sourced beef, seafood and produce, the restaurant combines this with a great selection of excellent fairly priced wines.
PARTICK 19 KELVINGROVE THE BOTHY 11 Ruthven Lane G12 9BG 0141 334 4040 www.bothyglasgow.com A West End institution famous for its kilted staff and well sourced ingredients which include North Sea scallops, and Stornoay black pudding as well as Ayrshire lamb. Mouthwatering menus and a location within yards of bustling Byres Road..
HILLHEAD 18 BYRES ROAD
TWO FAT LADIES CAIL BRUICH
447 Great Western Road. G12 8Hh 0141 334 0686 wwww.lalanternawestend.co.uk La Lanterna West End opened in the Summer of 2017 and is the little brother of Glasgow’s oldest family run Italian restaurant.. Enjoy the La Lanterna warmth and authentic italian cooking .
KELVINBRIDGE 14 U OF G LA LANTERNA WEST END
THE UBIQUITOUS CHIP
NUMBER 16
ORAN MOR