The Black Sparrow
With it’s classy 1920s decor, this bar features mirrored shelving, leather banquettes, and elaborate chandeliers— as well as a lovely little hidden beer garden and a basement gig space. Nibble on some tapas, sip on a drink, and enjoy the ambiance.
The Black Sparrow, 241 North Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom, +44 141 221 5530
Stereo
This alternative cafe, bar and music venue is always busy, right up until it closes at 3 am. With mismatched furniture, old concert posters, and local beers on tap, this is a cozy and welcoming hipster haven. Grab a drink and head down to the basement to catch some live music.
Stereo, 22-28 Renfield Lane, Glasgow, United Kingdom, +44 141 222 2254
The Vintage at Drygate
Craft beer fanatics will swoon over this East End brewery, bar, restaurant, and beer hall. With 24 draught beers— some of them brewed onsite— and 200 more bottled, there is no shortage of options at this industrial hotspot.
The Vintage at Drygate, 85 Drygate, Glasgow, United Kingdom, +44 141 212 8815
Mono
Adjacent to a record shop and underneath a railway line, serving vegan food and home-brewed ginger beer, Mono is clearly no ordinary bar. Listen to good tunes, play some table tennis, and enjoy a pint of ale at this tucked-away watering hole.
Mono, 12 King’s Court, Glasgow, United Kingdom, +44 141 553 2400
Brel
Named after Belgian singer Jacques Brel, this bar in trendy Ashton Lane serves imported Belgian beers, as well as a multitude of locally-made Scottish brews. If the weather’s good, there’s no place better than Brel’s cobblestoned beer garden.
Brel, Ashton Lane, Glasgow, United Kingdom, +44 141 342 4966
Lebowskis
Fans of the cult-classic Coen Brothers film ‘The Big Lebowski’ will feel right at home in this tribute bar, which is decorated with bowling-inspired decor and offers 28 versions of White Russians. But this bar doesn’t rely on cheesy gimmicks: it also serves up seasonal, local dishes for hungry customers, including one of the best burgers in Glasgow.
Lebowskis, 1008 Argyle Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom, +44 141 564 7988
Variety Bar
This eclectic dive bar marries Art Deco with retro Americana decor, potted palm trees, and even a fish tank, and the clientele is a mix of students and locals. All in all, the atmosphere is fun-loving and has a reputation as a stalwart in the Glasgow bar scene, having been around since the early days of the 1990s.
Variety Bar, 401 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom, +44 141 332 4449
Chinaski’s
Inspired by writer Charles Bukowski, this is a chic hangout favored by Glasgow’s hippest denizens. Approximately 80 varieties of whisky are on offer, as well as beer, wine, and other assorted spirits. Resembling a Los Angeles dive bar, this is one boîte that the famously hard-living author and poet would have appreciated.
Chinaski’s, 239 North Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom, +44 141 221 0061
Flat 0/1
With kitschy and quirky decor including 70s-style cabinets, floral upholstered chairs, and an assortment of framed pictures on the walls, this bar leaves you feeling like you’ve walked into a house party. A playlist featuring of-the-moment electro and indie with an occasional live band, and an affordable and hilarious drinks menu featuring everything from Lambrini and supermarket cider to sophisticated cocktails combine to create the strangest yet most fun ‘flat party’ you may ever attend.
Flat 0/1, 162 Bath Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom, +44 141 331 6227
The Old Hairdresser’s
Fun and unpretentious, this bar provides a casual and low-key night. Don’t miss the upstairs performance/exhibition space, which offers everything from music gigs and art exhibitions to theatre performances and even the rare club night. No matter what’s in store for the evening, The Old Hairdresser’s guarantees you a good time.
The Old Hairdresser’s, 27 Renfield Lane, Glasgow, United Kingdom