A Wee Guide to Glasgow 2014

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GlasGOW 2014

To boldly go where no Glaswegian has gone before‌ and then have a Perfectly Refreshing pint in the pub!

carling.com

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elcome to the ‘Wee’ Glasgow guide. In this pocketsized publication we focus on 100 great places to eat and drink in Glasgow – from great Scottish seafood restaurants to some superb traditional Scottish pubs, as well as some super Italian restaurants, cafés and steakhouses too.

Whether your tipple is beer or cocktails we have highlighted some of the best places to seek out in the city.

It’s not the definitive guide – but it is our ‘Wee Guide’ and hopefully you’ll manage to try them out whether you are a local or a visitor to Glasgow.

It’s not only the food and drink that is great in Glasgow; the city is renowned for its friendliness and hospitality.

I hope you find this ‘Wee Guide’ useful. If you would like to view it online you can at dramscotland.co.uk Slainte!

Susan Young Publisher

Contents Time for Tea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Some Hae Meat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Bella Italiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Cheers to Beers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Cocktail Bars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 All Night Long. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Something Fishy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Scottish. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 Best of The Rest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Media World Ltd. Publisher: Susan Young Assistant Editor: Jamie Allan • Project Manager: Emma McDonald Advertising: Lucy McGovern & Vicky Corrieri • Design: Jill Donald

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Time for Tea

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laswegians love nothing more than a chat and a natter, which goes a long way towards explaining the proliferation of cafes and afternoon tea-houses dotted around the city. Serving as a perfect haven from the bustle of Glasgow’s streets, these venues epitomise calm, comfort and friendliness, serving up a huge slice of Scottish hospitality to whomever comes through the door.

The cafes featured in this booklet take a variety of different shapes and forms, from teahouses to coffee shops, breakfast cafes to cupcake stores, Champagne bars to sandwich shops and hotel lounges to greasy spoons. Yet regardless of your environment, just remember the most important thing - the company!

If you’re in the city centre and fancy a break from the crowds then head towards The Butterfly and Pig, whose Tea Rooms on Bath Street are a quirky, vintage destination for some afternoon tea. If you would like to try some traditional Scottish porridge or just need a warming cup of coffee, then Cafe Wander is close by on West George Street.

For those with more extravagant tastes then The Grand Central Hotel offers a full range of plush afternoon tea choices in the city centre, while Radisson Blu on Argyle Street also specialises in quirky afternoon offerings. In the East End, McCune Smith on Duke Street provides breakfasts, pastries and ‘enlightened’ sandwiches, all with ethically sourced ingredients. Further west, The Hidden Lane Tearoom behind Argyle Street is a secret gem of a cafe, and The Hyndland Cafe is a small but perfectly-formed cafe ideal for breakfasts, lunch and even tapas in the evening. Should you find yourself on Byres Road then be sure to visit Kember & Jones, an upmarket deli that also doubles as a kitchenware and coffee specialist. If you’re visiting The Botanic Gardens you can’t afford to miss The Tea Room at the Botanics which sit near the famous Kibble Palace.

A short walk from the Gardens down Queen Margaret Drive will take you to Smile Cafe, which brings a touch of Italian quality to the city’s West End.

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The Butterfly & The Pig

The Tearooms, 151 Bath Street, Glasgow T: 0141 243 2459 thetearoomsbathstreet @ButterflyAndPig

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his vintage style venue is best described as welcoming. Its mismatched furniture and wallpaper give The Butterfly and The Pig’s customers a nostalgic experience, which is carried through to the menu too. The Tearooms, above the venue’s main bar area, has the décor and atmosphere that lends itself nicely to a spot of afternoon tea, with customers able to enjoy a hot drink and snack in a quirky, homely environment. Arguably The Butterfly and The Pig’s most distinctive feature is the menu itself, written in a punctuationfree, utterly unique, off-hand manner; even if you’re not intending to eat it’s well worth a read! By night the bar is one of the main destination points for those on a night out on Bath Street, with live bands at the weekend and easy access to the trendy Buff Club at the opposite end of the building.

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Time for Tea

Cafe Wander

110 West George St, Glasgow G2 1Q T: 0141 353 3968 www.cafewander.com CafeWanderWestGeorgeSt @CafeWander

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afe Wander is tucked into the heart of Glasgow’s city centre, only steps away from Queen Street Station. The cafe is ready to serve you your first coffee of the day from 7.30am onwards, and breakfast options range from traditional Scottish porridge to a classic full breakfast. For Afternoon Tea a selection of homemade scones and cakes are available, which can be washed down with Cafe Wander’s freshly ground coffee or one of many of the venue’s loose leaf teas. Freshly squeezed orange juice and healthy fruit smoothies are also available.

Time for Tea

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Grand central hotel

99 Gordon St, Glasgow G1 3SF T: 0141 240 3700 www.thegrandcentralhotel.co.uk

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ocated in Grand Central Hotel, Champagne Central is one of the most stylish and glamorous places in Glasgow to enjoy some Afternoon Tea in good company. The bar has created a selection of indulgent Afternoon Teas to seduce your pallet, ranging from Grand Cream Tea, which includes whisky macerated sultana and plain scones with clotted cream and jam, to Rose Afternoon Tea, which includes RosÊ Champagne, rose tea infusion and a rose inspired chef’s tea plate. Set in a Grade A-listed Victorian building, the bar features pillars, a marble floor and a domed ceiling, with windows displaying a fantastic view over Central Station.

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Time for Tea

The Hidden Lane Tearoom

Unit 8 Argyle Court (The Hidden Lane!)

1103 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8ND T: 0141 237 4391 www.thehiddenlanetearoom.blogspot.co.uk @HiddenLTearoom

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he Hidden Lane Tearoom is much more than just a tearoom, and although it is hidden away the quality of its offering means it is very much an open secret. Offering afternoon teas and tasty lunches, the cafe even mixes up non-alcoholic tea cocktails for those looking for something a little different. Its selection of cakes changes regularly, with favourites including mojito cupcakes, blueberry pavlovas and scones of all shapes and sizes. The dĂŠcor is vintage and chintzy, with teacups and teapots in a variety of designs. There is also an outdoor seating area that looks out onto the Hidden Lane itself and acts as a surprising sunspot in the summer months.

Time for Tea

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The Hyndland Cafe

96 Clarence Drive, Glasgow G12 9RN T: 0141 334 2719 www.thehyndlandcafe.com TheHyndlandCafe @HyndlandCafe

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he Hyndland Cafe is a charming, family-owned cafe in the affluent Hyndland area of Glasgow’s trendy West End. The venue is at its busiest for the early morning and afternoon rush, as the locals drop in to sample the cafe’s extensive breakfast and brunch menu, featuring old favourites such as fried breakfasts, French toast and griddled pancakes. The pace relaxes as the afternoon goes on, and with Nana Bisley’s homemade cakes and freshly ground coffee there are few better places in the area to enjoy a relaxing few hours reading the papers or catching up with a friend, ideally in the outdoor seating area if the weather’s good. In the evening the cafe transforms into an intimate tapas restaurant, with a BYOB policy.

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Time for Tea

Kember & Jones

134 Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8TD T: 0141 337 3851 www.kemberandjones.co.uk kemberandjones @kemberandjones

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ember & Jones Fine Food Emporium is a deli, café, kitchenware and cookbook store, which offer the highest quality food, kitchenware and cookbooks. The licensed café, with its relaxed and friendly atmosphere, serves the cafe’s own signature espresso blend coffee and caters for breakfast, lunch and dinners all inspired by the continental products stocked in the shop. The talented team of pastry chefs and bakers both at the café and kitchen work tirelessly to produce an amazing array of home baked cakes, tarts, scones, muffins, loafs, bread, soups and specials. At Kember & Jones, the quality and simplicity of the ingredients is everything.

Time for Tea

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McCune SMith

3/5 Duke Stree, Glasgow G4 0UL T: 0141 548 1114 www.mccunesmith.co.uk McCuneSmithCafeGlasgow @McCuneSmithCafe

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cCune Smith at 3-5 Duke St. is named after the 19th Century African-American intellectual and abolitionist James McCune Smith, who came to Glasgow during the flourishing of philosophical and scientific advancement known as the Scottish Enlightenment.

Using fresh ingredients ethically sourced and artisan bread, McCune Smith serves a range of deli style sandwiches named after Scottish Enlightenment figures and a locally roasted single origin Rwandan coffee from Dear Green.

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Time for Tea

Radisson Blu

301 Argyle Street, Glasgow G2 8DL T: 0141 204 3333 RadissonBluGlasgow @RadissonGLA

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f you fancy lashings of top-notch tiffin, then treat yourself to Afternoon Tea at the Radisson Blu. The venue will pamper you with a sumptuous selection of gooey cakes and smashing sandwiches, to be washed down with piping hot tea or coffee. You can also enjoy a cheeky glass of Champagne or a seasonal cocktail – perfect for a chinwag with friends. Parties and groups are always welcome.

The Afternoon Tea sessions are hosted in the Atrium Bar, with the hotel’s Collage Bar and Collage Restaurant both in close proximity should you desire a meal or drinks following your cakes and coffee.

If you have any room left, of course!

Time for Tea

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Smile CAfe

102 Queen Margaret Dr, Glasgow G20 8NZ T: 07528 661275

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mile Cafe is only a short walk away from The Botanic Gardens in the West End, though once inside you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Southern Italy. Owners Santino and Rocco are locally renowned for the friendliness and warmth of their service, and they artfully produce some of the best coffee in town; indeed, the National Beverage Association recently awarded the cafe an award for excellence in coffee. Smile Cafe is a mouthwatering food holiday to Italy without the plane ticket, and was recently featured in The Herald as one of the top ten places in the city to eat. The menu includes sandwiches, antipasti plates and pizza, and an array of homemade cakes and Italian biscuits are also available to eat in or take away.

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Time for Tea

The Tea Room at the Botanics

730 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 OUE T: 0141 276 1614 www.encorehospitalityservices.co.uk GlasgowBotanicGardens @GlasgowBotanic

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he Botanic Gardens is one of the West End’s most popular attractions and arguably the finest Garden in the city. The tearooms can be found in the former Curator’s House near to the Kibble Palace, making for one of the most idyllic backdrops in Glasgow for one to enjoy a coffee or snack. A full range of hot drinks are available, including numerous herbal and fruit infusion teas, and the menu is composed of a selection of sandwiches, cakes and pastries. There are three Afternoon Tea options to choose from, which you can enjoy either in the tea rooms or the spectacular outdoor refreshment area.

Time for Tea

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Some Hae Meat

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cotland is famed for the quality of its beef, with Scottish grass fed produce considered amongst the world’s finest. With such superb meat sitting right on our doorstep, it’s only natural that the Glasgow restaurant scene should feature an array of steak and burger diners. The restaurants listed in this guide source only the best and freshest Scotch beef, ensuring that the finest cuts possible both on and off the bone make their way to your plate.

The traditional burger has been revitalised in recent years, with a number of new restaurants springing up that offer innovative and daring twists on the classic meat patty. No longer solely the domain of American fast-food chains or a ‘safe’ afterthought on casual dining menus, the burger is now a gourmet meal in its own right.

Alston Bar and Beef is a speciality steakhouse in a stunning, unique venue in the bowels of Central Station. It has only just opened and is certainly worth a visit, while one of the city’s most established steakhouses is Butchershop Bar and Grill near Kelvingrove Art Gallery, whose superb waiting staff carve the meat right at your table.

Grill on the Corner on Bothwell Street sells premium quality steak, while Grill Room on the Square features spectacular views over Royal Exchange Square and specialises in Selected, Certified, Scottish beef. If you fancy a cocktail with your meal then the aptly-named Cocktail and Burger on Sauchiehall Street provides exactly what you would expect form the sign above the door. Another bar serving up great cocktails and burgers, and indeed all things meaty, is The Meat Bar on West George Street, while nearby there is Jacker de Viande, a speciality burger restaurant with attitude and some unforgettable artwork. NY American Grill in Princes Square offers a slice of American cuisine in a plush Scottish setting, serving up burgers from the Josper Grill, and Neighbourhood in Finnieston has also made a name for itself with its badass burgers. Another great burger venue is the innovatively named Bread Meats Bread on St Vincent Street, serving up honest, affordable food day and night.

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ALSTON BAR & BEEF

Central Station, 79 Gordon Street, Glasgow, G1 3SQ T: 0141 221 7627 www.alstonglasgow.co.uk alstonglasgow @alstonglasgow

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ocated in the catacombs deep below Central Station, Alston Bar and Beef serves up some of the city’s finest quality meat in a truly unique setting. A staircase descends from the station entrance to the arches below, placing the diner initially in front of the kitchen, highlighting the central role that the chefs play in the venue’s identity. The 60 seat restaurant to the rear of the building specialises in 28-35 day dry-aged steaks; Alston’s beef is of the highest quality, with the Porterhouse steak in particular being a house speciality.

Another dish of note is the Alston Mixed Grill, a true meat-lovers dream. After your meal you can enjoy a drink or two in the venue’s adjacent gin bar.

Some Hae Meat

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BREAD MEATS BREAD

104 St Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5UB. T: 0141 249 98 98 www.breadmeatsbread.co.uk BreadMeatsBreadGlasgow @BreadMeatsBread

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t Bread Meats Bread expect to find honest food made from scratch and at affordable prices. They use quality, ethical ingredients served in a cool and inviting environment where everything, including meal preparation, is open and on plain sight for everyone to see and appreciate. You won’t hear the ping of a microwave here and it boasts that it doesn’t freeze food. When it comes to wine, organic is the order of the day, and the wine served not only in glasses but in carafes too.

It currently operates a walk-in only system, first come; first served, so you might have to wait a few minutes as they try to accommodate you.

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Some Hae Meat

BUTCHERSHOP BAR & GRILL

1055 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G3 7UD T: 0141 339 2999 www.butchershopglasgow.com butchershopglasgow @butchershopgla

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ne of the most talked about steakhouses in Scotland, The Butchershop Bar & Grill serves only the very best dry-aged, 100% grass fed Scotch beef; whiskies; world wines and signature cocktails.

By working closely with their fourth generation butchers this steakhouse has a second to none selection of cuts both on and off the bone including their signature 35 day dry-aged t-bones and cote de boeufs, down to their truly special reserve cut tomahawk steaks.

Located in the heart of the West End with spectacular views of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games venue – The Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls Centre, and with The SSE Hydro and SECC on its doorstep, The Butchershop is the ultimate dining experience in Glasgow.

Some Hae Meat

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COCKTAIL & BURGER

323 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow T: 0141 353 0953 www.cocktailandburger.com CocktailandBurger @CocktailBurger

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his basement restaurant on Sauchiehall Street is well worth looking out. To say that Cocktail and Burger does exactly what it says on the tin would be to overlook the style and panache with which the food and drinks are prepared and presented. A selection of twelve specially crafted burgers made up of locally-sourced Aberdeen Angus beef are the highlight of the menu, though the specially sourced, exclusive to Scotland hot dogs are definitely worth a go. The cocktail list covers all bases from established classics to seasonal libations, a perfect compliment to the extensive food menu. The venue is a hub of activity, with comedy nights on Mondays, a quiz on Tuesdays and resident DJs appearing at the weekend to keep the party flowing.

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Some Hae Meat

GRILL ON THE CORNER

21-25 Bothwell Street, Glasgow G2 6NL T: 0141 248 6262 www.blackhouse.uk.com/glasgow thegrillonthecorner.glasgow @glasgowgrill

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rill on the Corner is Glasgow’s original Steak house. This is a large restaurant, but it also manages to look stylish with large chandeliers and lots of black. Its open kitchen allows diners to see what is being prepared while the restaurant’s slogan, ‘solid, honest and simple proper food’ is borne out with the menu that they serve.

The menu is varied and extensive, but it has an excellent reputation for good food, particularly when it comes to steak. Quality is paramount here and provenance of the beef is highlighted, including the type of life the animal had. Service too is a big plus, with attentive and well-trained staff on hand.

Some Hae Meat

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GRILL ROOM AT THE SQUARE

29 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow G1 3AJ T: 0141 225 5615 www.29glasgow.co.uk 29Glasgow @29Glasgow

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he Grill at the Square on Glasgow’s Royal Exchange Square prides itself on providing traditional cuisine and outstanding hospitality. It is famous for its impressive steaks and has private membership to the exclusive Scotch Beef Club, which allows the restaurant to offer prime steaks which are dry-aged for 28 days for tenderness and flavour.

Diners also get a chance to sample home-cooked warm bread as they wait for their steaks to cook. It’s a nice touch. This award winning restaurant, with a lovely view out across the Square, has not just received accolades for its food but its service too.

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Some Hae Meat

Jacker De Viande

111 West Regent Street, Glasgow G2 2RU T: 0141 243 2405 www.jackerdeviande.co.uk Jackerdeviandeglasgow @JackerdeViande

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acker de Viande has established itself as one of the city’s premier destinations for a tasty burger. The restaurant sits below West Regent Street and the burgers, composed of Aberdeen Angus silverside beef, are amongst the best in town, with the Pastrami and Bacon option proving a very popular choice with customers and critics alike. Jacker de Viande also specialises in BBQ pulled pork, served up on a brioche bun with bacon, apple and cheese. The food aside, one of the most notable features of the restaurant is the artwork, which displays a range of suited and booted, attitudeheavy animals staring down from the walls at the diners, creating a memorable dining experience.

Some Hae Meat

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MEAT BAR

142 West Regent Street, Glasgow G2 2RQ T: 0141 204 3605 www.themeatbar.co.uk meatbarglasgow @Meatbarglasgow

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he Meat Bar specialises in home-smoked meats, American BBQ and prime Scottish beef. As you would expect from the bar’s name the menu boasts a variety of carnivorous delights, such as its 40 day dry-aged steaks and slow-cooked Kansas style pork ribs.

The smokehouse sandwiches served on custom made ciabattas are another house speciality, and for those with a sweet tooth a variety of classic American desserts are on offer. The bar also features a vast array of Scottish and American craft beers as well as unique and savoury cocktails. The Meat Bat was recently announced as the Kopparberg Independent Bar of the Year at the 2014 DRAM Awards and was also a finalist in the Cocktail Bar arena with a meat infused cocktail!

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Some Hae Meat

NEIGHBOURHOOD BAR

1046 Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8LY T: 0141 237 7931 NeighbourhoodBarGlasgow @NeighbourhoodG3

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his neighbourhood bar is located in the up and coming Finnieston area and offers the best-value burgers in the vicinity they are tasty too! Two-for-one burgers and pizzas all day every day means that this is particularly busy at lunchtimes and on concert nights due to its proximity to The Hydro. It’s a friendly bar with good staff and it also allows dogs should you have one with you. A small outside area allows you to soak up the suns rays.

Some Hae Meat

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NY American grill

2nd Floor, Princes Square 48 Buchanan Street, Glasgow G1 3JX T: 0141 221 7667 nyamericangrill @nyamericangrill

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Y American Grill offers an authentic American coast-to-coast dining experience, allowing diners in Glasgow who prefer casual dining a chance to have their dishes prepared on top chefs’ favourite: the Josper Grill. The wide-ranging menu includes old favourites such as NY deli sandwiches, the New York Strip sirloin steak, lighter Californian cuisine and renowned American desserts such as Florida Key lime pie and New York cheesecake. NY American Grill also showcases a large collection of American craft beers, bourbons and rye whiskey from every corner of the States. NY American Grill welcomes group parties as well as children.

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Some Hae Meat

Bella Italiana

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he Italian influence in Scotland extends much further than Hadrian’s Wall, with Glasgow home to one of the largest Italian communities in the UK. As such, the quality of traditional Italian food available in the city is superb, with a multitude of family-owned restaurants serving up some of the finest cuisine this side of the Apennine Mountains, often with a Scottish twist. Glasgow’s Italian eateries aren’t confined to any particular area of the city; you’re as likely to find a top quality Italian restaurant in the West End as you are in the Merchant City, such is the diversity on offer.

The following restaurants are featured as much as for their customer service as for their quality of food. Geniality and attentiveness are at the heart of great service, and each of these venues boasts only the very finest Italian hospitality, highly conducive to a perfect dining experience.

The restaurants listed in this book represent the very best of Italian cuisine in Glasgow.

Starting in the city centre, Barolo Grill on Mitchell Street is two minutes walk from Central Station, and specialises in steaks and seafoods with a contemporary Italian touch. A little further down on Argyle Street is Piccolo Mondo, which serves up authentic recipes from the Tuscany region. In Princes Square you will find Il Pavone, where you can sit on the courtyard and enjoy quality Italian food in one of the city’s best spots for shopping. The Merchant City is home to two of Glasgow’s best Italian eateries in The Italian Caffe on Albion Street and The Italian Kitchen on Ingram Street, both of which serve up freshly made food prepared on the premises. In the West End, Lamora in Finniestion is committed to consistently providing the best quality food and service, while La Parmigiana on Great Western Road has a long and proud tradition of serving superb Italian produce. Paperino’s on Byres Road is one of the most popular restaurants in the West End, with its affordable prices and stylish setting. Finally, in the south of the city, Barbarossa on Clarkston Road provides fantastic pizzas and has an extensive wine list, while Bar Milano in Giffnock has great quality Italian and Mediterranean food in a period building.

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BARBAROSSA

Cartside House, 1/7 Clarkston Road Glasgow G44 4EF T: 0141 560 3898 www.barbarossarestaurant.co.uk barbarossaglasgow @DineBarbarossa

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arbarossa offers the perfect combination of formal and casual dining. This contemporary Scottish-Italian restaurant also has an excellent pizza selection and a wine bar too. Guests can enjoy fresh produce from the authentic Italian kitchen, and sample one of the massive choices of wine by the glass. The chef at Barobarossa also takes pride in the quality of the produce he uses to prepare his dishes. As a result most of Barbarossa’s meat is Scottish sourced from the award winning Cairnhill Farms in Ayrshire. The combination of the high quality suppliers means Barbarossa can offer fresh, seasonal and exciting dishes every day.

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Bella Italiana

BAROLO GRILL

92-94 Mitchell Street, Glasgow G1 3NQ T: 0141 221 0971 www.barologrill.co.uk BaroloGrillGlasgow @BaroloGrillGlas

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ituated on Mitchell St, Barolo Grill is two minutes walk from Central Station, Queen Street Station and the Buchanan St Underground Station. The clue is in the name, as they say, and Barolo Grill is no exception. It prides itself on its top quality Scottish steaks, meats and seafood, cooked to perfection and served with a contemporary Italian touch. Its extensive wine list offers the best in Italian varietals, and of course a superb selection of Barolo wines.

It also specialises in focaccia and pizza, baked in its traditional Italian pizza oven and topped with fresh ingredients. Tasty.

Bella Italiana

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Il Pavone

Lower Goung, Princes Square 48 Buchanan Street, Glasgow G1 3JN T: 0141 221 0543 www.ilpavoneglasgow.com pavoneglasgow @Il_Pavone

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l Pavone started out as a deli on the top floor of the city’s most prestigious shopping court and has moved into larger and larger units. Today the business has grown and grown and now sits in the large corner unit on the lower ground floor of Princes Square. The family that started Il Pavone many years ago still own and run it to this day and are always around to make sure that everyone who comes to Il Pavone gets a kind and friendly welcome. The menu offers a range of dishes from pizza to risotto, with the traditional hearty lasagne a firm favourite.

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Bella Italiana

The Italian Caffe

92 Albion Street, Glasgow, G1 1NY T: 0141 552 3186 www.theitaliancaffe.co.uk theitaliancaffe @italian_caffe

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he Italian Caffe was the first enoteca restaurant in Glasgow. You can enjoy fine wine by the glass accompanied by mangiare al forno – food straight from the oven - and the restaurant is right in the heart of the Merchant City. Enotecas have evolved from the tavernae vinariae of classical Rome. These were places Romans would stop and enjoy a glass of wine and pass the time with other citizens. Every meal from bread to ice cream is freshly made on the premises, and is of the highest quality. Customers can choose from over 50 wines, with 28 available by the glass, accompanied by small plates - piccolo piatti - of great Italian food. The Italian Caffe is a home from home for people who want to enjoy a good glass of wine, fine food and good company.

Bella Italiana

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The Italian Kitchen

64 Ingram Street, Glasgow G1 1EX T: 0141 572 1472 www.italian-kitchen.co.uk theitaliankitchen

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he folk behind this award winning restaurant have a simple philosophy; they like to provide good Italian food, prepared in the proper way, with friendly service. Everything is made freshly on the premises, as is evident by the quality of the food. Add to that a menu which offers value for money and that sums up what The Italian Kitchen is all about. They take the freshest produce available and create delicious pizzas and pasta dishes. Alongside its meat, fish and chicken the choice is wide but carefully chosen to present authentic Italian cuisine. There are also daily specials to choose from. The wine list features the very best of Italian wine, from the house Trebbiano to the finest Amarone.

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Bella Italiana

Lamora

1166-1170 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8TE T: 0141 560 2070 www.lamorakitchen.co.uk

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his bright Italian restaurant is excellent, with head waiter and owner Silvano always present. The family-run business is a real hit with the locals and those in the know because it serves up excellent Italian cuisine at affordable prices. Its menu offers classic Italian food served alongside daily specials ranging from scallops to ravioli and freshly prepared pizzas, but they are also happy to modify dishes in accordance with their customers’ tastes. Great service and a lovely ambience add to the experience.

Bella Italiana

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La Parmigiana

447 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 8HH T: 0141 334 0686 www.laparmigiana.co.uk

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a Parmigiana has a long and proud tradition of serving the very finest Italian food in Glasgow, prepared using the best possible quality local ingredients. It has won numerous awards and is considered one of the best Italian restaurants in the UK. It’s a favourite with Italian Glaswegians which bears testament to the quality of its cuisine and its authenticity, and it is also a restaurant which attracts TV and football personalities on a regular basis.

The cosy and relaxed atmosphere is instantly appealing and is strengthened further by the restaurant’s charming and friendly staff. This a restaurant where you are welcome to linger over your meal.

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Bella Italiana

MILANO Italian kitchen & bar 2 Mains Ave, Giffnock, Glasgow G46 6QZ T: 0141 621 2288 www.barmilano.co.uk @MilanoGiffnock

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ar Milano is a stylish contemporary bar and restaurant on Glasgow’s Southside. It offers Italian/Mediterranean cuisine prepared using only the freshest ingredients by an inventive chef who takes pride in preparing mouth-watering mains as well as delicious desserts and starters. Every day there is a new daily special and dishes are made to order. Between Monday and Thursday kids under 10 eat FREE from the children’s menu as long as there is a paying adult with each child. Now that is good value.

Bella Italiana

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Paperino’s

227 Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8UD T: 0141 334 3811 www.paperinos.co.uk PaperinosRestaurants @PaperinosGla

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aperino’s in Glasgow’s West End is a firm favourite with Glaswegians and is one of the best places to get an authentic Italian pizza in the city. This bright and airy contemporary restaurant is also very kid friendly so it is perfect for family outings. Paperino’s offers great Italian food at affordable prices in stylish surroundings.

It is situated on Byres Road , one of Glasgow’s most lively areas, and is certainly one of the most popular restaurants in the West End for affordable quality dining. It also has a small Prosecco bar which is ideal when meeting up with folk.

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Bella Italiana

Piccolo Mondo

344 Argyle Street, Glasgow G2 8LY T: 0141 248 2481 www.piccolomondo.co.uk 63 Hairst Street, Renfrew PA4 8QU T: 0141 885 1011

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istorante Piccolo Mondo prides itself on its selection of traditional and contemporary specialities and authentic recipes from the Tuscany region, as well as Euro-classic and new lifestyle Mediterranean dishes. It offers quality at genuine value for money prices in a comfortable and relaxing setting. The award winning restaurant also has a sister venue, Piccolo Mondo in Renfrew, which is considered one of the most romantic Italian restaurants in Scotland, and both restaurants have also been commended for their excellent wine lists. The staff too are super, and are both courteous and welcoming. Look out for its dish of the day – always delicious.

Bella Italiana

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Cheers To Beers

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uch has been made of the so-called craft beer revolution in recent years, and rightly so. Gone are the days when beer enthusiasts had to search long and hard to find a bar that provided more than just the ubiquitous, mass-produced brands, with the rise of speciality beer bars in Glasgow reflecting the public’s increased appreciation for small-batch, big-story beers. Luckily, Glasgow’s bartenders have kept apace with changes on the beer landscape, and the good men and women who pour the pints at these listed bars will happily regale the inquisitive customer on just how a certain beer made its way to the venue’s fridges or fonts.

The diversity of bars listed here demonstrates the numerous varieties of beer now available in the city, and whether you prefer cask ales or continental lagers, German wheat beers of Belgian Trappist ales, American craft beers or French spirit-lagers, then you’ll be able to find somewhere that caters to your tastes with relative ease. Once you’ve found your beer bar of choice, kick back, raise your glass and say ‘three cheers for beers!’

If you’re in the city centre then the Bier Halle should be your first stop, given its status as one of the city’s first real beer innovators. Nearby on Drury Lane you’ll find Steampunk Cafe, which features its own specially brewed Steampunk lager alongside a varied collection of world beers. If you’re heading towards the East End then be sure to visit The Beer Cafe in Merchant Square, a great wee venue for sampling some of the world’s finest lagers and ales. Further east, multi-faceted venue Drygate brews its own beers on site, as does Clockwork Beer Co in the Southside near Hampden Park. In the West End, The Curler’s Rest is located handily beside the subway and has numerous world beers on draught, while Brel in the nearby Ashton Lane is one of the city’s best bar for enjoying unusual (and strong!) Belgian beers. Cottier’s on Hyndland Street is a stunning beer bar set in a converted church, with a huge, leafy outdoor seating area.

Great Western Road is home to Inn Deep, a craft beer haven with a beer garden to die for, while a little further down the road Munro’s combines craft and cask with comfort and calm.

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beer cafe

78 Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1NP T: 0141 552 9815 www.beercafe.co.uk @beercafeglasgow

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he Beer Cafe is based in the heart of Glasgow’s Merchant City.

Set within Merchant Square, the bar stocks a wide range of beers from all around the world. Featuring large windows looking on to Candleriggs as well as tables in Merchant Square’s indoor courtyard, the bar is a great spot for supping quietly on a quality beer while immersing yourself in one of Glasgow’s most popular and busiest areas. With a wide selection of over 90 beers on offer and with a quirky pie list, you can enjoy a pie and a pint in the heart of the city.

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Cheers To Beers

bier halle

9 Gordon Street, Glasgow T: 0141 204 0706 www.republicbierhalle.com @bier_halle

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itting quietly off Buchanan Street the Bier Halle is easy enough to miss, though if you’re a fan of world beers then you’ll be sure to make this a must-visit destination. The bar was the first in Glasgow to stock an extensive list of beers from around the globe, and to this day it remains as popular and busy as ever. As the name would imply, the Bier Halle takes its inspiration from Eastern European bierr halles, offering over 100 chilled ‘biers’, both bottled and draught, including frequent guests from all over the world. One of the biggest appeals of the bar is its food offers, with the everpopular ‘2-4-1’ pizza deal leading the charge.

Cheers To Beers

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BREL

Ashton Lane, Glasgow G12 8SJ T: 0141 342 4966 www.brelbar.com brelbar @Brelbar

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n independent bar on the West End’s famous Ashton Lane, Brel has long had a name for stocking some of Europe’s more diverse and unusual beers. Specialising in Belgian beer, Trappist brews Rochefort and Orval are represented, as well as traditional fruit beers and even some ever-divisive gueuze beers. Scotland, the US and the rest of Europe are also represented in Brel’s extensive selection. The bar is situated in an old horse stables, and the back garden is one of Glasgow’s best and most distinctive beer gardens, with it’s grassy hill and covered smoking area. The food is also good, with mussels being the house speciality.

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Cheers To Beers

Clockwork Beer Co.

1153-1155 Cathcart Rd Glasgow G42 9HB T: 0141 649 0184 www.clockworkbeercompany.co.uk TheClockworkBeerCompany @ClockworkBeerco

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stone’s throw from Hampden Park, Clockwork Beer Co is the southside of Glasgow’s very own pub and microbrewery. All of the bar’s craft beers are brewed on site, and with windows looking into the brewery you can enjoy your pint while watching the next batch being made up in front of you. As you would expect from the bar’s location, Clockwork is a lively venue for watching sport, and the beer garden at the rear of the building allows for a beer or two in the sunshine. The food menu has something for everyone, and children are welcome too.

Cheers To Beers

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Cottier’s Bar and Restaurant 93-95 Hyndland Street, Glasgow G11 5PU T: 0141 357 5825 www.cottiers.com cottiersglasgow @Cottiers_Venue

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ocated in a converted church in the very heart of the West End, Cottier’s Bar has one of the city’s most diverse bottled beer selections, specialising in the finest ales, lagers and stouts from the most innovative brewers in the United States and Belgium.

Scotland is represented too, with the full range of Williams Bros beers in the fridge and Joker IPA on draught, all reasonably priced.

The staff’s passion for beer is apparent, and they will happily talk you through some of their more unusual choices, such as the odd grapefruit beer Pink Killer or the Austrian Trappist ale Gregorious.

Cottier’s is more than just a bar though, with an upstairs restaurant and adjoining theatre that also doubles as a wedding venue. It would be remiss of us not to mention the huge, leafy beer garden, arguably the best in Glasgow on a sunny day.

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Cheers To Beers

the curler’s rest

256-260 Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8SH T: 0141 3410737 www.thecurlersrestglasgow.co.uk @Curlers_Rest

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esiding in Glasgow’s diverse West End and just steps away from Hillhead Subway, the vibrant yet laid-back Curler’s Rest is the perfect place to sample a beer or two on Glasgow’s famous Byres Road. With five real ales, three ciders and 19 speciality beers on tap and an even wider bottled selection, Curler’s Rest is the best venue in the local vicinity for beer. The exposed brickwork and stripped wooden floors make for an authentic Scottish pub feel, and the upstairs area has huge German oak tables that wouldn’t look out of place in a Munich bier hall. Food is available all day too, ensuring that Curler’s Rest is a busy hub of the West End from open until close.

Cheers To Beers

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Drygate Brewing Co.

85 Drygate, Glasgow G4 0UT T: 0141 212 8810 www.drygate.com DrygateBrewing @drygate

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collaboration between Scotland’s iconic Tennent’s Brewery and Williams Bros Brewing Co., Drygate is the beer destination that the East End of Glasgow was crying out for. Comprising of a bar, restaurant, on-site brewery and shop, Drygate has everything a beer fanatic could wish for under one roof. The bar has over 30 cask and keg taps, featuring the brewery’s core range of three beers Outaspace Apple Ale, Gladeye IPA and Bearface Lager – as well as a constantly rotating collection of some top class brews. The Vintage restaurant, which serves dishes such as Smoked Duck Breast and Assiette of Beef, has windows looking into the brewery, where Drygate’s team of three master brewers also provide beer-making masterclasses to those eager to learn the art of beer production.

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Cheers To Beers

INN DEEP

445 Great Western Rd, Kelvinbridge, Glasgow T: 0141 357 1075 www.inndeep.com InnDeep @InnDeepBar

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idden below Great Western Road, Inn Deep is a craft beer haven. The house beers are supplied by Scotland’s own Williams Bros Brewing Co, while breweries from all over the UK and US are frequently represented in the ever-rotating guest draught lines. For the curious or uninitiated, tasting measures of beer are available, and the highly knowledgeable staff are always more than happy to talk you through their range. Aside from the beer, Inn Deep’s most impressive feature is its beer garden, which overlooks the River Kelvin and has bench seating hidden away in the stunning stone arches carved underneath the streets above.

Cheers To Beers

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Munro’s

185 Great Western Road, Glasgow G4 9EB T: 0141 332 0972 www.munrosglasgow.co.uk MunrosGlasgow @MunrosGlasgow

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ituated on Great Western Road, Munro’s sell an interesting and varied range of quality craft and cask ales, as well as some of the best beers from around Scotland and the world. The bar has six guest craft and cask beers on draught, alongside some more familiar faces on the house taps. Taster bats are also available, allowing customers to ‘try before they buy’ with mini 1/3rd pint glasses. Munro’s is an effortlessly relaxed place to enjoy a pint, with leather couches spread around the venue and board games provided to swallow up your afternoons, and the huge windows allow you to watch the world go by from the sanctuary of a great bar.

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Cheers To Beers

steampunk cafe Drury Street, Glasgow T: 0141 204 2929 steampunkglasgow

@Steampunk_Cafe

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ust off the cobblestones of Drury Street lies a Victorian era beer and wine emporium with a twist. As well as a number of draught and bottled beers from across Europe and beyond, the bar sells the specially-brewed Steampunk Beer, which as the name would suggest is exclusive to the venue. For those who fancy a hop and yeast free libation, a number of specially concocted Steampunk cocktails can be mixed up by the talented bartenders. If you’re looking for a bite to eat then pulled pork and tapas options are available in either the bar or the restaurant, while cabaret and stand-up comedy shows feature through the week.

Cheers To Beers

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Cocktail Bars

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here are few drinks more satisfying than a good cocktail made well. Glasgow has a number of venues that excel in the art of mixology, and the good news is that the ever-increasing number of cocktail bars means that each venue has to be as creative and hospitable as possible to stay ahead of the competition.

Yet as strange as it may sound, there’s more to a good cocktail than mixed spirits.

The bartender is an indispensable component of what makes a great cocktail, not only for his or her mixing ability and knowledge but also for their personality; a little banter at the bar goes a long way towards a memorable night out.

The featured cocktail bars are modern, stylish, and most importantly, fun; the cartoon snobbery attached to cocktail bars in the not too distant past has gone and the city’s most talented bartenders are only too happy to mix up a concoction styled exactly to your needs.

Booly Mardy’s in the West End offers a great array of cocktails and good chat too, while at the bottom of Byres Road you will find Hyde, a trendy bar and restaurant specialising in original libations. Moskito in Bath Street is a basement bar offering all your favourites. Tiki Bar, also on Bath Street, has the most amazing Zombie, as well as many classic rum cocktails. St Vincent Street’s The Living Room is a lively piano bar with some tasty drinks to try while the guys at Strata are entertaining and happy to mix your favourite cocktails. Browns is a large open and airy bar and restaurant where you can enjoy a huge variety of drinks while The Merchant on West George Street is a great spot for well-made, affordable cocktails. Check out One Up on Royal Exchange Square for great drinks as well as Metropolitan in the Merchant City, and last but not least Blue Dog on West Regent Street, which opens in the late afternoon and serves top class cocktails well into the wee hours.

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Blue dog

151 West George Street, Glasgow G2 2JJ T: 0141 229 0707 www.bluedogglasgow.co.uk @BlueDog_Glasgow

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lue Dog opened its doors more than a decade ago and instantly became one of Glasgow’s premier cocktail destinations.

Throughout the years the drinks list and decor may have changed, but the unmistakable quality of service, wide array of wines and spirits, and live entertainment have maintained Blue Dog’s place as one of the best late night bars in Glasgow.

Its classic and contemporary cocktails, mixed up by its team of highly skilled bartenders are delicious, so why not put your faith in any one of its expert team and ask them to create a new “modern day classic” in your honour.

The bar opens at 4pm and stays open until the early hours.

Cocktail Bars

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Booly Mardys

28 Vinicombe Street, West End, Glasgow G12 8BE T: 0141 560 8004 www.boolymardys.com boolys @BoolyMardys

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oolys as it is affectionately known is one of Glasgow’s definitive cocktail bars and it is located in the heart of the West End. Since it opened it has been at the forefront of developing Glasgow’s constantly evolving and ever improving drinks movement. As a result its bartenders are excellent mixologists and have great chat too. As well as excellent classic and contemporary cocktails Booly Mardys serves fine, ground to order, artisan coffee paired with contemporary bistro food throughout the day and early evening.

It’s also a popular al fresco destination and sun screen is readily available too. That’s customer service.

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Cocktail Bars

BROWNS

1 George Square, Glasgow G2 1DY T: 0141 221 7828 www.browns-restaurants.co.uk @BrownsGlasgow

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lasgow is a city dominated by impressive Victorian architecture, and Browns is right in the centre of the city. Housed in the iconic 130 year old ex-General Post Office building right beside George Square, it is now a stylishly decorated, relaxed brasserie and bar. It’s perfect for morning coffee, lunch, dinner or cocktails in between exploring the many delights of Glasgow. If you enjoy live music head along on Thursday, Friday or Sunday and enjoy the sophisticated sound of great piano-playing – the perfect accompaniment for drinks and dinner. Look out for its signature range of cocktails which includes the delicious Rasperri Cherry Collins and the popular Aperol Spritz.

Cocktail Bars

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Hyde

9-17 Partick Bridge Street, Glasgow G11 6PN T: 0141 334 9568 www.hydeglasgow.com hydeglasgow @HydeGlasgow

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yde is hidden discretely off the corner of Byres Road and Dumbarton Road, and brings a level of style and panache that the area badly needed.

As you first walk into the bar you are immediately struck by the twisted metal tree that sits on the bar top, holding bottles of Belvedere in the arms of its branches. Black and cream leather booths line the exposed brick walls; a restaurant area adjoins the bar, and upstairs there is a private mezzanine and south-facing roof terrace. The bar’s bespoke cocktails are its speciality, and the venue’s relaxed ambience makes it the perfect escape from the bustle of the surrounding area.

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Cocktail Bars

The living room

150 St Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5NE T: 0141 229 0607 www.thelivingroom.co.uk @TheLivingRoomG2

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he Living Room Glasgow is a cool and contemporary restaurant and piano bar with an elegant interior. It’s located just a few minutes walk from Hope Street and offers a range of drinks from the classic to the contemporary. It’s cocktail menu has an excellent selection while its Champagne comes courtesy of distinguished connoisseurs Moët Chandon. It’s proximity to the city centre also means it is the perfect location for an express lunch or to recharge your batteries after a hard days shopping. After work resident musicians play a mixture of live eclectic tunes which create the perfect atmosphere to enjoy your drinks.

Cocktail Bars

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The Merchant

134–136 West George Street, Glasgow G2 2HG T: 0141 353 3926 www.themerchantglasgow.co.uk

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et over two floors and featuring intimate booths in a large, open environment, The Merchant is a new and contemporary bar in Glasgow’s City Centre, offering the personal touches of local pub in an elegant and stylish building. The Merchant’s cocktail menus offers quality and taste without pretence, and you can’t argue with cocktails priced at a very reasonable £3.50. Whether you’re popping in for a quick pint or fancy sampling one of their many cocktail pitchers, The Merchant is ideal for small groups and large parties alike. Their food menu offers incredible value, with their ‘Two Meals For £7.95” offer a firm favourite with those looking for good food at affordable prices.

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Cocktail Bars

moskito

200 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4HG T: 0141 331 1777 www.moskitoglasgow.com @MoskitoGlasgow

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oskito is a multi award winning basement bar on Bath Street that has been open for 14 years. It has a laid back, cosy feel in the bar and plenty of comfortable booths to enjoy a quick lunch or spend the night with a bunch of friends. The atmosphere is relaxed and the service friendly. The kitchen is open 7 days a week and its menu is available until 9pm. It has a varied and extensive drinks range and more than 25 cocktails on its list. If you don’t see one you fancy the bar staff will be more than happy to make you a cocktail of your choice.

Cocktail Bars

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one up

23 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow G1 3AJ T: 0141 225 6512 www.oneupglasgow.co.uk @OneUpGlasgow1

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ne Up is located, as the name suggests, one up and as well as offering a stylish environment it also has a great view over bustling Royal Exchange Square. You can indulge in its ‘Forking Great Food’ which is all priced very reasonably or enjoy a cocktail from its extensive drinks menu which features well known popular classics as well as a few One Up favourites. Whether it’s lunch, cocktails or clubbing or if you require a private area, One Up is a perfect venue. It also boasts some of the best outside areas in the city for those that prefer drinking al fresco.

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Cocktail Bars

Strata

45 Queen Street, Glasgow G1 3EH T: 0141 221 1888 www.strataqs.com strata.queenst

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t Strata they pride themselves on being a haven for shoppers, visitors to the city and local workers looking for quality food prepared with the freshest ingredients and excellent drinks. Its cocktails are served up by its super bartenders who work from a list that stretches to 30 cocktails. It also has five premium continental lagers on draught, in excess of 50 premium spirits on the gantry, a wine list to keep even the most delicate nose satisfied and a whole fridge dedicated to the best small batch craft beer from around the world. Your only problem will be deciding what to have next.

Cocktail Bars

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Tiki Bar & Kitsch Inn 214 Bath St, Glasgow G2 4HW T: 0141 332 1341 www.tikibarglasgow.com @TikiBarGlasgow

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he Tiki Bar & Kitsch Inn is an exotic island haven in the city centre of Glasgow. In the basement Tiki Bar, discover an oasis of escapism, grab a peacock chair and enjoy a tropical cocktail served in an authentic ceramic Tiki Mug. 100 Rums, bountiful beer, and fresh popcorn with a soundtrack from DJ’s Simon Cordiner, Al Kent, Rory Hamilton to name a few. A big South-facing beer garden with outdoor TV and ping pong is perfect for an al fresco refreshment.

Pop upstairs to the Kitsch Inn for Glasgow’s freshest and tastiest Thai food in a swanky environment just two minutes from the King’s Theatre. Awarded a Tripadvisor certificate of excellence for the last three years running, Hitlisted by the List magazine three times. Glasgow’s tropical paradise

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Cocktail Bars

All Night Long

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t has long been said that Glasgow only truly comes alive at night, and the wealth of late-night venues that the city hosts would bear testament to this belief. Some of Scotland’s best nightclubs are dotted around the city, and all music tastes and age groups are accounted for. Whether you prefer rock, pop, dance or disco you’ll be able to find a venue in Glasgow that plays your music with panache and style. The clubs listed in this book are relaxed, informal, vibrant and most importantly, fun. Most open at 11pm, and free passes are generally available in one of the nearby bars.

Of course, late-night entertainment isn’t the sole domain of the nightclub. A number of bars stay open after midnight, allowing their customers to continue their conversations long after most venues are pulling down their shutters. Because of the comparatively small amount of late-night bars in the city the venues listed here always attract a large number of guests.

If you’re looking for a night out in the city centre and rock music is your thing then look no further than The Cathouse beside Central Station, which has been playing the latest in alternative rock for almost 25 years. The Garage on Sauchiehall street is club for all tastes in music, attracting a young, lively crowd 365 days a year. Bread and Butter just off Buchanan Street is a popular and trendy destination for those in the know, as is The Berkeley Suite, a short walk away on North Street. Nice n Sleazy is an independent bar on Sauchiehall Street that also has a downstairs club featuring live bands and DJs seven days a week, and Horton’s Bar and Kitchen is an upmarket bar with a dancefloor for those inclined. If you’re looking for a late-night venue in the centre where you can enjoy some live music, both Maggie Mays on Trongate and The Howlin’ Wolf on Bath Street have great drinks selections and even better bands. In the West End, Glasgow institution Oran Mor holds both a nightclub and two late-night bars, making it the best in the west for a beer in the wee hours.

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the berkeley suite

237 North Street, Glasgow G3 7DL T: 0141 221 0061 www.berkeleysuite.com @BerkeleySuite

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estled below North Street just off Charing Cross, The Berkeley Suite is an ultra-trendy nightclub that has proven extremely popular with the city’s Art School students and scenesters.

Disguised as a pawn shop in the speakeasy fashion, it would be easy to miss The Berkeley Suite were it not for the music emanating from beneath the entranceway. The choice of music changes from night to night and can range from reggae to funk to electro, though regardless of the tunes the club is always extremely busy. A relaxed bar area sits above the nightclub, offering an ideal spot for latenight drinks without the bustle of the dancefloor.

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All Night Long

Bread + butter

74 Buchanan St, Glasgow McCormick Lane - Off Buchanan St T: 0141 221 4383 www.breadandbutterglasgow.co.uk nocturnal.glasgow @BandBGlasgow

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ituated just off the bustle and noise of Buchanan Street, Bread and Butter doubles as both an intimate spot for a bite to eat and as a late-night, cocktail-shaking venue. The distinctive décor and friendly staff add to the chilled out atmosphere, as do the eclectic range of tunes masterfully mixed by the DJs. Impressively, Bread and Butter serves food until 4am on Friday and Saturday, allowing their customers to enjoy their night out without having to worry how they’re going to fill their stomachs. Bread and Butter is more than just a weekend destination however, with Davy Davidson’s Smartphone Pub Quiz on Thursdays not to be missed.

All Night Long

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Cathouse

15 Union St, Glasgow G1 3RB T: 0141 248 6606 www.cathouse.co.uk Cathouserocks @CathouseGlasgow

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stablished in 1990, The Cathouse on Union Street is Glasgow’s premier destination for fans of rock music. Few late-night venues can boast such a dedicated following as The Cathouse, and it really is the trademark nightclub for those who live a rock n’ roll lifestyle and appreciate any opt-out alternative aesthetic in their club culture. Having previously played host to such musical luminaries as Pearl Jam, Oasis and Queens of the Stone Age, the club continues to push the boundaries, hosting hot new live acts and guest DJs to feed the demanding appetites of its ever increasing regulars.

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All Night Long

the garage

490 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3LW T: 0141 332 1120 www.garageglasgow.co.uk garageglasgow @Garageglasgow

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pen seven days a week and 365 days a year, The Garage is permanently home to the biggest party in town. With a different theme every night the venue is an ever-evolving hub of entertainment. The music of choice is eclectic, taking in Chart, Electro, RnB, Hip Hop and Indie, spread over various different levels and rooms; as well as the Main Hall, there is also The Attic, the G2 Club in the basement, The Snapshots Bar and The Engine Room Cocktail Bar. As well as the late-night club The Garage also doubles as a live music venue in the early evening, with many famous names appearing over the years.

All Night Long

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Horton’s

92 West George St, Glasgow G2 1PH T: 0141 331 4111 hortonsglasgow1 @Hortonsglasgow

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orton’s Bar and Kitchen is a popular city centre venue that caters for both the post-work crowds and those out for a night on the town. Open until 3am on Friday and Saturday, you can enjoy one of the bar’s wide range of wines, beers and signature martinis before dancing the night away to classic party anthems and current chart hits on the dance floor with unique state of the art lighting. Entry is free and the company is great, making Horton’s the bar of choice for those who are up for a late night out without the noise and bustle of a nightclub.

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All Night Long

The Howlin’ wolf

100 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 2EN T: 0141 332 3224 www.thehowlinwolf.co.uk HowlinWolfGlasgow @HowlinWolfGLAS

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he Howlin’ Wolf is a bar, kitchen and music venue for lovers of blues, soul, homemade food, rock n’ roll, cocktails and tall tales.

The bar take its name from legendary 1950s and ‘60s Blues singer Chester Arthur Burnett, better known as Howlin’ Wolf, and the venue is very much inspired by the blues. With a huge range of burgers and pizzas to choose from it’s a great place for a relaxing bite to eat, and food is served until 2am, a massive plus for any latenight venue.The bar has a good selection of beers, and well as a huge range of world and home-grown spirits. The bar recently won the Desperados Best New Bar award at the 2014 DRAM Awards.

All Night Long

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Maggie May

60 The Trongate, Glasgow G1 5EP T: 0141 548 1350 maggiemaysglasgow @MaggieMaysLive

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aggie May is a late night bar, restaurant and live music venue in the Merchant City. Laid back sofas, high tables and vintage chesterfields compliment the rock n’ roll memorabilia that lines the walls while floor to ceiling windows, allow lots of people watching – both inside and out. Maggie May’s prides itself on providing a great selection of drinks to suit the most discernible of drinkers, and it serves up some excellent cocktails too. Look out for ‘The Dr Feel Good’. You’ve guessed it music is central to the Maggie May experience and there’s regular live music. Not forgetting the food – which is traditional Scottish.

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All Night Long

Nice ‘n’ sleazy

421 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3LG T: 0141 333 0900 www.nicensleazy.com @nice_n_sleazy

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ice N Sleazy, or Sleazy’s as it’s affectionally known by the locals, is centrally located on Sauchiehall Street, the heart of Glasgow’s nightlife. The bar is open from 12pm to 3am, seven days a week, and food is served until 9pm, catering for meat-eaters and vegans alike.

There is also a downstairs venue that hosts gigs and club nights each night from 7.30pm. Sleazy’s attracts a predominantly young, student crowd, which makes for a lively, care-free atmosphere. The bar has a good selection of Scottish craft beers, and famously serves up infamous tonic wine Buckfast by the glass.

All Night Long

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Oran Mor

Top of Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8QX T: 0141 357 6200 www.oran-mor.co.uk @OranMorGlasgow

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ran Mor recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, and in that time it has been firmly established as not just a Glasgow institution, but a Scottish one too. A sign outside the venue reads, ‘More Than Just a Great Bar’, and it couldn’t be more apt. As well as a popular nightclub, restaurant and theatre, the venue also houses The Brasserie Bar, a popular late-night venue for a more mature crowd looking to enjoy one of the bar’s many superb wines by the glass or cocktails. Oran Mor’s heart and soul however, is the main bar, bustling day and night with West End characters swapping stories over a dram or two. Open late seven nights a week, there are few better places for meeting old friends and making new ones.

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All Night Long

slouch

203 - 205 Bath Street, Glasgow T: 0141 221 5518 www.slouch-bar.co.uk slouch.glasgow @SlouchGlasgow

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or too long it’s been accepted that the quality of service, food and drinks will drop the later it becomes at night; not so at Slouch, where the venue’s team of bartenders provide prompt and friendly service regardless of the time or how busy the bar is.

Refreshingly, there is no entry charge at the door and food is served until 2am, removing the necessity for a desperate, post-pub search through town for a kebab shop. The atmosphere is second to none, with Slouch always busy regardless of the day of the week. The beer selection deserves a mention, with a full range of Scottish, American and German premium brews available, and the house cocktails unique, quirky and most importantly, delicious.

All Night Long

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Something F ishy

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cotland is famed for its quality of seafood, so it’s only fitting that the country’s largest city should have a plethora of innovative and quirky seafood restaurants.

The venues listed here are the best of the best when it comes to seafood in Glasgow, and as they are appropriately busy booking in advance is strongly advised.

Yet restaurants aren’t the only sites where you can find a great bit of fish. Scotland’s love affair with the traditional fish supper is well known, and it should come as no surprise that ‘gourmet’ fish and chips are proving extremely popular in Glasgow, with some top quality sites selling the very best in fried food.

Starting with perhaps Glasgow’s most famous restaurant, Rogano on Exchange Place is an upmarket, art deco venue with a superb outdoor seating area. City Merchant (in the Merchant City, obviously...) provides locally-sourced fish of the very highest quality, while Gamba on West George Street is committed to sourcing sustainable stocks and has won two AA Rosettes. Although specialising in mussels, The Mussel Inn on Hope Street offers much, much more, and Arisaig in Merchant Square is a contemporary Scottish restaurant. Quality fish isn’t confined to the city centre however, the West End is home to CrabShakk in Finnieston, one of the city’s busiest and most stylish eateries, and Simply Fish in Kelvinside, whose chefs pride themselves on simply prepared, unique fish at a reasonable price. If it’s traditional fish and chips that you’re after, look no further than The Chippie Doon The Lane just off Buchanan Street, or if you’re staying a bit further out, Wee Fry in Milngavie. Both venues sell boutique fish and chips.

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Arisaig Bar REstaurant

1 Merchant Square, Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1LE T: 0141 553 1010 www.arisaigrestaurant.co.uk arisaigrestaurant @Arisaig_

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risaig is a contemporary Scottish restaurant and bar in Glasgow’s vibrant Merchant Square, with Scotland’s fantastic natural produce at the heart of its menus. With a specialised ‘Sea’ section on the a la carte menu, the chefs prepare and present some of the finest seafood in the city, including West Coast langoustines, Shetland salmon and roast monkfish. The dishes are inspired by classic Scottish recipes which let the natural flavours speak for themselves. Arisaig is located within the covered courtyard of Merchant Square. The cobbled terrace is perfect for people watching while the restaurant’s dining room is a handsome, inviting space with a subtle Caledonian character.

Something F ishy

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city merchant

97/99 Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1NP T: 0141 553 1577 www.citymerchant.co.uk CityMerchant @citymerchant

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he City Merchant is one of Glasgow’s leading seafood restaurants.

Since 1988 it has been serving customers from all over the world who come to taste its cuisine and enjoy the warm hospitality on offer. Fish, lobsters, oysters and mussels are its speciality, with the seafood platter in particular proving an extremely popular dish.

It’s an atmospheric restaurant, pleasantly decked out with rustic wooden fittings and a subtle Celtic motif. The main section of the City Merchant is ideal for couples and small groups, and private rooms are available for a more intimate dining experience.

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Something F ishy

The Chippy Doon The LAne

84 Buchanan St, McCormick Lane, Glasgow G1 3AJ T: 0141 225 6650 www.thechippyglasgow.com thechippyglasgow @Chippy_doon

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ince opening its doors in 2007 The Chippy Doon The Lane has set out with one goal in mind; to offer a fresh and up-market twist on the old school fish and chips we all know and love. Situated just off Buchanan Street at the end of McCormick Lane the restaurant is housed on the first floor of Glasgow’s iconic McCormick Printers building. Specialists in the art of cooking fresh fish, the venue offers traditional classics such as cod and haddock to more contemporary choices such as monkfish tail and coley, all of which have been carefully selected with sustainability in mind.

Something F ishy

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Crabshakk

1114 Argyle Street, Finnieston, Glasgow G3 8TD T: 0141 334 6127 www.crabshakk.com @Crabshakk

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his inspirational restaurant on Argyle Street created a real buzz when it opened a few years ago, and today it is part of the fabric of the vibrant Finnieston area. The venue is small, yet still manages to fit in some 55 seats, which is testament to owner architects John and Lynne Macleod’s vision and ingenuity with space. Distressed wood, chrome, mirrors, black and white tiles and a few Hebridean landscapes adorning the wall all form a small piece of the incredible dÊcor, but it is the food and atmosphere that the customers come for. Established Crabshakk dishes such as seared Scallops with anchovies, Crabshakk Bisque or a luxurious Fruits de Mer platter are amongst the finest seafood dishes in the city. The owners have also opened Table Eleven a few doors down, an intimate oyster bar that also specialises in wine, sherry and saki.

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Something F ishy

Fish People Cafe

Shields Road Subway Station 350 Scotland Street, Glasgow G5 8QF T: 0141 429 8787 www.thefishpeoplecafe.co.uk @FishPeople_Cafe

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he Fish People Café is a new and vibrant seafood restaurant located on Glasgow’s Southside, with easy access to the M8 and Underground. The cafe’s chefs create stunning dishes at affordable prices, showcasing the freshest fish and shellfish Scotland has to offer, such as hand-dived Barra scallops and whole tandoori-baked Anglesey sea bass. The Fish People Café is fully licensed with a balanced global wine list, complimented by an interesting range of spirits, malt whiskies and sherries. Literally steps away from Shields Road Subway Station, it’s simply a matter of hopping off a train to find some of Glasgow’s finest seafood.

Something F ishy

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Gamba

225a West George Street, Glasgow G2 2ND T: 0141 572 0899 www.gamba.co.uk gambaglasgow @Gamba_Glasgow

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amba is an award winning seafood restaurant in the city centre of Glasgow, serving some of the finest sustainable seafood that Scotland has to offer. The menu is updated every six weeks, with some house favourites including locally sourced Isle of Gigha halibut, pan-fried grey mullet and hand-dived king scallops. Chef Derek Marshall is passionate about sourcing and delivering the best produce from sustainable stocks. Indeed, Gamba was the first Glasgow member of the Sustainable Restaurant Association, and it has also been awarded two AA rosettes. If you’re in the city centre and love seafood, you owe it to yourself to visit Gamba.

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Something F ishy

MUSSEL INN

157 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 2UQ T: 0843 2892 283 www.mussel-inn.com MusselInn

T

he Mussel Inn’s chefs serve up supremely fresh dishes with top quality ingredients, mostly from Scottish waters, imaginatively prepared and served up by friendly and knowledgable staff. Despite the name the restaurant offers a much wider variety of food than just Scottish West Coast mussels; its seafood dishes also include creamy seafood chowder, grilled king scallops and Scottish oysters.

Should anybody in your party be adverse to a bit of seafood then pastas, vegetarian dishes and fresh salads are also on the menu to ensure that everybody has a choice. The restaurant is family friendly and welcoming, and makes for a memorable night out.

Something F ishy

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ROGANO

11 Exchange Place, Glasgow G1 3AN T: 0141 248 4055 www.roganoglasgow.com roganorestaurant @roganoglasgow

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stablished in 1935, Rogano is Glasgow’s oldest surviving restaurant and arguably its most famous. The distinctive Art Deco design remains as a nod to Rogano’s past and provides a distinctive 1930s ambience, while the elegance of the interior is matched by the immaculately dressed and courteous staff. Although Rogano founded its reputation on top-quality, fresh seafood, the Oyster Bar serves up classic cocktails and Champagne by the glass for visitors wishing to enjoy a drink in good company and relaxing surroundings. The outside terrace area is particularly popular in the summer, and a small dining room is available downstairs for those looking for a private meal with friends.

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Something F ishy

Simply Fish

111 Cleveden Road, Kelvinside, Glasgow G12 0JU T: 0141 334 0111 www.simplyfishglasgow.com simplyfishglasgow @Simply_fish

A

s its name suggests, Simply Fish is the ideal place for those who have a love of seafood. The restaurant specialises in using only the finest produce, prepared simply in its unique style but at a price you can afford. The menu features dishes such as Bouillabaise, a provancal fish stew of mussels, chunks of fish, prawn and crab, as well as Lemon Sole Meunneirre, which is pan roasted whole lemon sole, served with a caper, prawn and beurre noisette. As you would expect from a seafood restaurant the white wine list is extensive, and designed specifically with individual dishes in mind. Simply Fish? Simply Irresistible!

Something F ishy

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Wee Fry

159 Milngavie Road, Glasgow G61 3DY T: 0141 942 8797

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rought to you by MacCallums of Troon, perhaps Scotland’s most famous fishmonger, Wee Fry in Milngavie is one of the best fish and chip shops in Glasgow. Forget the standard greasy, soggy fried suppers you may be accustomed to from your high street chippie; Wee Fry takes the simple premise of fish and chips and excels at it, with every meal cooked to order. Haddock, scampi and cod, all served with golden, beefy chips, are among the house favourites, The venue has an open kitchen in the back, so you can watch your food being prepared while you wait.

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Something F ishy

Scottish

S

cotland is a real buzzword at the moment, due partly to the fact that it is host to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the upcoming Ryder Cup and of course the forthcoming Vote for Independence. On the international scene Scotland is famous for the warmth of its welcome and its culture – tartan, bagpipes, Highland dancing and so on. It also has a place in the history books due to the large number of famous inventors who called Scotland their home, and who were responsible for television, the telephone, flush toilets, fridges and penicillin, along with many other things.

However Scotland also holds a very firm place on the culinary front with some fabulous produce produced here. This is why Glasgow has some excellent Scottish restaurants who hang their hat on the quality of their Scottish cuisine. From seafood to beef, from raspberries to ice cream – its all grown, harvested or made in Scotland, and while we also have a fish section in the ‘Wee Guide’, there are many other excellent restaurants which are synonymous with great cuisine – not least the Ubiquitous Chip which is one of Glasgow’s most established Scottish restaurants, and its sister restaurant Stravaigin which is one of the coolest. The newly opened Hutchesons is located in one of Glasgow’s finest buildings, the former Hutchesons Hall, while the Piper’s Tryst is located in the Old Cowcaddens Church. Cafe Source too is located beneath St Andrews Church in the Merchant City.

There are also some famous Scottish bars which are not as famous for their food as for their drinks offering. The Pot Still has one of the finest selections of whisky in the city, as does The Ben Nevis in Finnieston, while the Variety Bar is renowned for its laid-back vibe and art school credentials. The Doublet Bar on Park Road is also a traditional bar that has great staff and a good range of whisky and gin, and of course there is The Lismore – another great traditional Scottish pub.

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The Ben Nevis

1147 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8TB T: 0141 576 5204 www.thebennevis.co.uk TheBenNevisBar

O

ne of Glasgow’s great, traditional pubs, The Ben Nevis makes the most of its cosy interior by providing a breathtaking selection of malt whiskies and locally brewed real ales, all served up by some of the city’s friendliest staff. The diverse selection of bar regulars, ranging from Glasgow characters to local students, all contribute to The Ben Nevis’ unrivalled atmosphere, where everybody is welcome and live music can break out at any point!

Dogs are catered for too, and treats are kept for them behind the bar. A great wee pub.

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Scottish

Cafe source

1 St Andrews Square, Turnbell Street, Glasgow G1 5PP T: 0141 548 6020 www.cafesource.co.uk @Cafe_Source

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stablished for thirteen years, Cafe Source is one of Glasgow’s top Scottish restaurants. Located in the basement of the restored St Andrew’s in the Square church, the restaurant provides a great casual dining experience. The chefs aim to showcase Scotland’s finest ingredients, sourced from top Scottish suppliers, in delicious and satisfying dishes. The A la Carte menu features traditional Scottish classics with a modern twist alongside brasserie-inspired cuisine prepared with the best of Scottish produce. Cafe Source also serves a range of daily specials, and offers great value lunch and pre-theatre menus. They stock a full range of carefully selected beers, spirits and wines, and use only freshly ground coffee.

Scottish

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The Doublet

74 Park Rd, Glasgow G4 9JF T: 0141 334 1982

T

he Doublet bar is a place that is as pleasingly familiar to regulars as it is to newbies. The traditional pub is now into its fifth decade and is regarded as somewhat of a West End institution. With a wide range of whiskies to choose from, the bar has a good array of accompanying cask ales, but is also known for its collection of gin. From the outside the venue looks almost like the tavern of a ski-resort, whilst inside there is a traditional public bar downstairs and what is called the ‘lounge bar’ upstairs. The latter boasts a small jukebox which allows the patrons to select the music while the bar downstairs is always full of characters.

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Scottish

HUTCHESONS

158 Ingram Street, Glasgow G1 1EJ T: 0141 552 4050 www.hutchesonsglasgow.com hutchesons @HutchesonsGLA

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utchesons is a beautifully restored A-listed architectural icon on Ingram Street, serving the best of Scottish food and drink with outstanding service and character.

Immerse yourself over this three floor dining experience, complete with a charming cafĂŠ bar at street level where you can relax and enjoy cocktails, champagne, oysters, light salads or cold cuts.

Indulge in Hutchesons’ bustling Scottish steak and seafood grill set in a grand brasserie style, while the exclusive Glenfarclas private meeting and dining room seats up to 18 and caters for both corporate and private events. A must-visit experience, Hutchesons is open from 9am daily serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner seven days a week.

Scottish

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The Lismore

206 Dumbarton Rd, Glasgow G11 6UN T: 0141 576 0102 LismoreBar

T

here are a number of bars in the Partick area, but The Lismore is the only one you could describe as a true ‘destination’ pub, being one of the city’s best whisky venues. The pub has accomplished the tricky task of accommodating both its older, regular clientele and a younger, student crowd too, making for an eclectic blend of the best of the West End. The Lismore is Scottish and proud of it, taking its name from an island in the Inner Hebrides and with outdoor signage in Gaelic. It doesn’t stop there though; signs denouncing the worst criminals of the Highland Clearances are displayed in the mens’ urinals, encouraging the users to show these men ‘the respect they deserve’!

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Scottish

The Pipers’ Tryst

30-34 McPhater Street, Glasgow G4 0HW T: 0141 353 5551 www.thepipingcentre.co.uk TheNationalPipingCentre @ThePipingCentre

L

ocated in the Cowcaddens area of Glasgow City Centre and housed within The National Piping Centre, The Pipers’ Tryst is as classically Scottish as a restaurant can be. The building is a converted church, and also holds a heritage centre and visitor gift shop. The menu features traditional Scottish offerings such as haggis, neeps and tatties, cullen skink, Fraserburgh smoked haddock and a fresh fish of the day. Guests can also order the restaurant’s signature dish, the ‘Taste of Scotland’ platter, with a choice of either meat and fish or vegetarian. With a modern décor and welcoming ambiance, the small but perfectly formed Pipers Tryst is a true Scottish gem.

Scottish

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The Pot Still

154 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 2TH T: 0141 333 0980 www.thepotstill.co.uk ThePotStillGlasgow @potstillglasgow

O

ne of the most famous bars in Scotland, The Pot Still sees visitors from all corners of the globe rubbing shoulders with the Glaswegian locals in search of the perfect dram. With literally hundreds of single malts to choose from customers can rely on the highly knowledgable and ever-friendly staff to help navigate the selection. Although whisky is undoubtably The Pot Still’s speciality a wide array of cask ales are available, and a simple pub grub menu is also provided. Really though, the reason people keep returning over the years is the uisge beatha and unique, unrivalled atmosphere. Slainte!

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Scottish

STRAVAIGIN

28 Gibson Street, Kelvinbridge, Glasgow G12 8NX T: 0141 334 2665 www.stravaigin.co.uk Stravaigin @StravaiginG12

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elebrating 20 years since first opening, Stravaigin is now firmly established as a Glasgow institution. Distinguished by its floor to ceiling windows and roaring fire, the bar motto of ‘Think Global, Eat Local’ is exemplified by the diverse, award-winning menu which is served daily until 11pm. Breakfast is served from 9am11am Monday - Friday and their famous brunch is just the ticket to bookend a lazy weekend stroll. The restaurant downstairs has a different offering to the cafe bar upstairs which is the more casual of the two areas. The bar area is always teeming with familiar faces, and feels very much like a local bar in Glasgow’s bustling West End.

Scottish

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Ubiquitous Chip

12 Ashton Lane, Glasgow G12 8SJ T: 0141 334 5007 www.ubiquitouschip.co.uk UbiquitousChip @ubiquitouschip

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hat The Ubiquitous Chip remains such an integral component of Glasgow’s West End is a testament to the Clydesdale family’s commitment to quality. Over the course of its 40 plus years The Chip has consistently been at the cutting edge of the food and drink scene while retaining the uniqueness of character and variety of clientele that help make the place special. With three bars, the Brasserie, a rooftop terrace and a world-renowned restaurant, it’s a great place to meet old and new friends to enjoy a lovingly made cocktail, one of dozen of wines by the glass or first class, Scottish cuisine.

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Scottish

The Variety bar

401 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3LG T: 0141 332 4449

A

midst the noise, neon and flash of Sauchiehall Street, The Variety Bar has stood alone for a number of years as an oasis away from the storm. A traditional Glasgow pub, The Variety focuses on the fundamentals of great drinks and genuine, friendly service, performing both with ease. The art deco wall décor and lights are highly appropriate, given that the bar sits opposite The Beresford, arguably Glasgow’s most famous art deco building. The Variety doesn’t have a kitchen, but given the quantity of nearby takeaways and restaurants in the surrounding area there are plenty of places for you to fill up on before an evening in one of Glasgow’s very best old-school pubs.

Scottish

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Best of The Rest

W

e do hope you have enjoyed our ‘Wee Guide’ to some of the best places to eat and drink in Glasgow. To make it easy for you we have split it into sections, but there are always some bars or restaurants which stand alone and for this reason we conclude with our Best of the Rest guide.

Obviously in a ‘Wee Guide’ there is not the space to have the entire Glasgow offering, and there are many more great places to eat and drink in the city. But we hope that you seek out the places that we have brought to your attention in this ‘Wee Guide’, because you will enjoy not only a warm Glasgow welcome but excellent food and drink too.

Should you wish to explore further in the city we recommend that you seek the advice of the true insiders, the men and women who work in the city’s best bars and restaurants.

Hospitality staff are the most clued-up people in the city when it comes to knowing where the best night out is to be found, so don’t be afraid to ask!

The bars and restaurants listed in this section are some of the Wee Guide’s team’s favourite places to go out in Glasgow. It’s a diverse selection, encompassing trendy bars, specialist restaurants and neighbourhood pubs, but in each venue you’ll find a friendly Glasgow welcome and great service.

In the Merchant City check out Home and Cafe Gandolfi which sit alongside each other. Although completely different the two have been attracting customers for many a year. The Ark must have one of the best kept secrets in the city in its super beer garden and Chinaski’s at Charing Cross also has a great outdoor seating area. The Drake, in Kelvingrove offers some great gastro pub dishes. Jinty McGuinty’s is a lively Irish pub and you can enjoy tasty Spanish tapas at Cafe Andaluz. Nippon Kitchen on West George Street serves up some of the city’s best sushi, as well as a healthy range of saki and Japanese beers. Last but not least, one of the Editor’s favourite’s is Nick’s in Hyndland, which provides a warm welcome, good value food and tasty tipples too.

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The Ark

46 North Frederick Street, Glasgow G1 2BS T: 0141 559 4331 www.screampubs.co.uk GlasgowsTheArk

T

he Ark is a contemporary pub in the heart of the city, a short walk from Queen Street Station and right next to Strathclyde University. Its most notable feature is the huge beer garden at the rear of the building, with painted purple walls, comfy bar stools and overhanging umbrellas to counter the inevitable rain showers.

Claiming to have the biggest screen in the city, The Ark is perfect for watching all major sporting events from the comfort of the pub. With great deals on food and drink, along with friendly and personable staff, The Ark is a fun and lively venue to spend an afternoon or evening. The pub’s proximity to George Square and all major transport routes also make it ideal for meeting up with friends before or after a day out.

Best of The Rest

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CAfe Andaluz

2 Cresswell Lane, Glasgow G12 8AA T: 0141 339 1111 www.cafeandaluz.com cafeandaluzglasgowcitycentre @CafeAndaluzGlas

T

here are two Cafe Andaluz in Glasgow, one is situated just at George Square and the other in the West End. We like the basement cosiness of the latter. As you imagine this is Spanish through and through featuring a tiled floor, rustic furniture and some brightly coloured cushions. It offers tasty tapas, the obligatory Sangria and plenty of bread and olives. Of course it also has a fine selection of Spanish wines. Best of all the service is excellent so whether you want to linger or have quick bite, this is ideal.

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Best of The Rest

Cafe Gandolphi

64 Albion Street, Glasgow G1 1NY T: 0141 552 4462 cafegandolfi @cafegandolfi

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afe Gandolfi has a warmth, a magic about it, a comfortable, unselfconscious feel.” So says its website and we wouldn’t disagree. It has been around for some 30 years and its popularity is undiminished. It’s got some very loyal customers who love the food, the ambience and the service. It serves up traditional Scottish fayre, but with a twist, offers some lovely wines, and serves a mean coffee. Upstairs Bar Gandolphi offers more great food, cocktails and a wide range of wine and sparkling too. It may be small but it is bijou. Worth calling ahead to book as it is very busy.

Best of The Rest

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Chinaski’s

239 North Street Glasgow G3 7DL T: 0141 221 0061 www.chinaskis.com

T

his stylish and popular bar located on North Street at Charing Cross, is named after Henry Chinaski, the biographical protagonist of several works by the American writer Charles Bukowski. It is a real gathering place for those in the know. The bar, which you might walk past if you didn’t know it was there, is discrete but once inside it has a lively buzz. The bar is stocked with a large selection of bourbons and has an attractive bar menu featuring lots of the usual suspects from great burgers to steak pie. It also boasts a fab beer garden which is very popular in the summer months.

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Best of The Rest

The DRake

1 Lynedoch St, Kelvingrove, Glasgow G3 6EF T: 0141 332 7363 www.thedrakebar.co.uk

T

he Drake is a gastro style bar/restaurant which puts a lot of emphasis on quality affordable food and drinks in a relaxed, “local feel” environment. With original bare brick work, coal fires, garden area to front and rear and a townhouse style restaurant and private dining space upstairs it is comfortably stylish. It boasts a good beer selection and some fine wines, and if you are a sporting fan you won’t be disappointed it shows all major sporting events. To top it off it is family and dog friendly too.

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HOME

80 Albion Street, Glasgow G1 1NY T: 0141 552 1734 www.homeglasgow.co barhomeglasgow @Barhome

H

ome is a large, cosmopolitan bar in the centre of Glasgow’s trendy Merchant City. Busy day and night with students and local office crowds, HOME benefits from its size and versatility, serving as a pre-club venue, destination for post-work drinks and a night out in and of itself, blending a variety of demographics to create one of the liveliest atmospheres in the city centre. Food is served daily, and a range of promotions are available through the week on cocktails and bottled beers. The bar truly comes alive at the weekends, with the resident DJs pumping out latest hits and more.

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Best of The Rest

Jinty McGuinty’s

23 Ashton Lane, Glasgow G12 8SJ T: 0141 339 0747 www.jintys.com @jintyMcGuintys

T

his small, but friendly bar, is a Glasgow institution and is the city’s most popular Irish pub. Located in Glasgow’s West End it has great staff, plenty of the black stuff (Guinness) some pub grub and regular live music. Let’s just say there is plenty of ‘craic’ at Jinty’s.

There is also a spacious beer garden which is the perfect place to relax over a drink, a meal or a snack. If the weather is being typically Scottish, the beer garden has outdoor heaters to ward off the chills.

If you are looking for a lively bar... this is it!

Best of The Rest

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Nicks italian kitchen & bar 168 Hyndland Road, Glasgow G12 9HZ T: 0141 357 6336 www.nickswestend.co.uk @nickswestend

N

ick’s Italian Kitchen & Bar is a stylish neighbourhood restaurant and bar nestled in Hyndland in the very heart of Glasgow’s West End. It’s menu takes advantage of fresh seasonal ingredients to deliver a great dining experience. The bar boasts a variety of bottled continental beers as well as some old favourites on draft, complimented by a wide selection of wines and spirits and there is a good range of classic cocktails too.

The atmosphere at Nick’s is contemporary and comfortable and whether you are drinking in the bar area or dining upstairs you can be assured of good service.

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Best of The Rest

NIPPON KITCHEN

91 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1PB T: 0141 328 3113 www.nipponrestaurant.co.uk nipponkitchenglasgow

N

ippon Kitchen is a vibrant Japanese restaurant sitting in the heart of Glasgow City centre, two minutes from Buchanan Street Subway.

It has been carving out a reputation as Glasgow’s best in many ways: from the freshest of locally sourced produce and specially imported Japanese ingredients to the well thought out wine and sake menus, and innovative cocktails.

The sushi is beautifully hand made to order, and the range of dishes include mouthwatering crisp tempura, plump dumplings, bento boxes and fresh fish and meat from the Yaki Grill.

An absolute must-try in Glasgow’s centre.

Best of The Rest

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Amicus Apple 17 Frederick Street Edinburgh EH2 3EY T: 0131 226 6055 www.amicusapple.com @AmicusApple

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t’s quite fitting that Amicus Apple’s cocktail list shares many of the features of the bar itself, being stylish, contemporary and clearly not taking itself too seriously. This isn’t intended as a slight; Amicus Apple is about as down to earth as a city centre cocktail bar can be, contributing greatly to its laidback, homely atmosphere. Famous for its cocktails, each lovingly prepared and expertly presented, the bar staff are always more than happy to mix your favourite tipple should it not be on their list. The bar has a permanent Friday night feel about it regardless of the day of the week, with the mood lighting and funky music all adding to the vivacious vibe.

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