World City Guide

Nightlife

Unlike England and Wales, licensing laws in Scotland allow for much variation – bars may stay open all day, until 2400 or only between 1230-1430 and 1830-2300, while clubs are often open as late as 0300, although last entry is usually at 0100. There are over 700 pubs and bars in the city (evidence that Glaswegians like a tipple now and again) as well as numerous nightclubs catering for all musical tastes. A number of the venues listed below blur the boundaries, morphing from bar to club and often serving very decent meals as well.

The nightlife scene varies from the student hangouts of the West End to style bars in the Merchant City. The minimum drinking age is 18 and there are generally no dress codes, although smarter clubs may not permit jeans or trainers.

Tickets for most events can be purchased at Virgin Megastore, Buchanan Street (tel: 0141) 353 2993) or through the Ticket Centre (tel: (0870) 040 4000; website: www.secctickets.com). The main guide to going out is The List (website: www.list.co.uk).

Bars: The Horseshoe, 17 Drury Street, has the longest continuous bar in the city, although it is still difficult to get a place there at the weekend. Bargo, 80 Albion Street, is a popular pre-clubbing venue with a stylish industrial interior in the Merchant City. Bar 10, 10 Mitchell Lane, just off Buchanan Street in the heart of the city, is a popular and stylish bar, serving food. Spy Bar, 153 Bath Street, is a happening pre-club hangout, with DJs at the weekend. The revamped Centre for Contemporary Arts, 350 Sauchiehall Street (website: www.cca-glasgow.com), attracts an arty crowd – and has club nights as well.

Casinos: The main gambling venues include the Stanley Berkeley Casino, 506-516 Sauchiehall Street, the Gala Casino Merchant City, 18 Glassford St and the Gala Riverboat Casino, 61 Broomielaw. Dress code is smart and only those over 18 years are allowed entrance. As with all casinos in the UK, membership (which must be applied for with appropriate ID, at least 24 hours in advance) is required.

Clubs: As in many cities, the club scene in Glasgow is ever evolving and the music and atmosphere of a venue can change from night to night. Check out The List or get some local advice if you do not like surprises. The Tunnel, 84 Mitchell Street, is a large club with top DJs spinning different styles of house. China White, 158 Bath Street, offers R&B sounds to the smart set, while Archaos, 25-37 Queen Street, offers everything from R&B, dance and house. The Arches (website: www.thearches.co.uk), located in a cavernous brick-vaulted space at 253 Argyle Street, has club nights in addition to live bands and theatre. The Corinthian, 191 Ingram Street, and nearby Artà, 13 Walls Street, are both happening spots in the Merchant City, serving food as well as tunes. The Polo Lounge, 84 Wilson Street, is a popular gay club.

Live Music: Large-scale pop and rock concerts take place at the Clyde Auditorium in the SECC, off junction 19 of the M8, with its own dedicated railway station (trains depart from Glasgow Central station), as well as at the Barrowland, 244 Gallowgate, near the Barras market and Carling Academy (website: www.glasgow-academy.co.uk) on Bridge Street. Up-and-coming bands play at the venerable King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, 272A St Vincent Street (website: www.kingtuts.co.uk), where the Mancunian band, Oasis, was discovered. The Bar Fly Club, 260 Clyde Street, is another good spot, with a range of styles. Jazz acts perform occasionally at Brel, 39-43 Ashton Lane.

The best bet for folk music is the annual Celtic Connections festival (see Special Events). Throughout the year, The Riverside Club, 33 Fox Street, hosts ceilidh dances at the weekend, drawing an energetic crowd. Molly Malone’s, 224 Hope Street, has live Irish music nightly, ranging from traditional folk to Celtic rock, while Park Bar, 1202 Argyle Street, is a good spot for Highland sounds at the weekend. Scotia Bar and Clutha Vaults, both on Stockwell Street, are great pubs with authentic folk music thrown in for good measure.