The Top 10 Things To See And Do In Finnieston Glasgow

As Glasgow’s own Shoreditch, Finnieston is a happening spot to be. Inundated with creatives and thinkers, this trendy place boasts a fiercely strong sense of community and was named the coolest place to live in the UK – a stark contrast to its former existence as an industrial hinterland. Check out the fun for yourself and dive right into the Glaswegian wonderland that is Finnieston.

Soak Up Glasgow’s Shipbuilding Heritage

The Riverside Museum, an ode to the city’s rich legacy as a global industrial giant in the realms of shipbuilding and engineering, hosts Glasgow’s Museum of Transport. Overflowing with 3,000-plus exhibits, each with a story to tell, this exquisitely designed edifice is the masterpiece of renowned architect Zaha Hadid. Anchored where the Kelvin meets the Clyde, the building boasts a zinc-clad zigzag roof that almost mirrors the motion of waves. Hours can be lost here.

Experience the Institution that is the Kelvingrove Café

With a cocktail! So much more than your average watering-hole-cum-restaurant, the Kelvingrove Café is sacred ground to Finnieston locals. A true focal point of the area since its opening in 1896, this European grand café is forever bursting at the seams with friendly faces eager to divulge all there is to know about the hottest goings-on. The window booths make for great conversations but the food steals the show with its free-range, organic and foraged produce straight from Scotland’s larder.

Attend an Exclusive Event at SWG3

SWG3 is a testament to Glasgow and Finnieston’s status as a creative hotbed where ingenuity meets innovation and raw, untainted talent. This multifaceted venue caters to one and all with its vast array of live music gigs, pop-up events, art exhibitions, fashion shows, food extravaganzas, high-profile club nights and epic brand launches, to name a few. Home to over 120 creatives – think visual artists, curators, photographers, dancers and musicians – there’s a whole lot of talent floating about.

Feel the Buzz at the Electric Frog & Pressure

You’ve not lived until you’ve thrown yourself into Scotland’s largest electronic music festival, the Electric Frog & Pressure Riverside Festival. Each year, music junkies from Finnieston and afar congregate and unite at Glasgow’s Riverside Museum for what can only be described as an epic celebration of electronic music in its purest form. Hosted from the banks of the Clyde, the line-up of talent somehow manages to exceed all expectations time and time again. The rave of all raves.

Sample Finnieston’s Culinary Greatness

Adored by all lucky enough to come across it, The Gannet, one of Finnieston’s finest restaurants, shot to star status moments after opening its doors. Its long list of accolades pay homage to the seasonal Scottish menu, which humbles even the most refined of palates with the meticulous assortment of produce plucked straight from Scotland’s own natural larder. Whether hand-dived Mallaig scallops, Aberdeenshire red deer or butternut and bonnet tortellini, The Gannet is proof that Finnieston’s thriving restaurant scene is one to watch out for.

Meet the Creatives Who Made Finnieston Famous on the Hidden Lane

Tucked away off Finnieston’s own Argyle Street ‘Strip’, The Hidden Lane is a thriving bubble of artistic excellence where community artists, designers and musicians frequent approximately 100 studios. A feast for the eyes and soul, these colourful studios hold the key to all sorts of fun things from craft workshops and jewellery-making spaces, to recording studios, fashion design houses, galleries, yoga studios and more. Each workshop evokes a spirit of community, the same kind that makes Finnieston so unique.

Try the Secret Recipe Scones at the Hidden Lane Tearoom

Free from the unnecessary pomp and pageantry found in many a high-tea place across the UK, The Hidden Lane Tearoom is a regular stomping ground for those in the know. Camouflaged amid the vibrantly painted independent businesses of The Hidden Lane, this legendary tearoom satisfies every food-related desire. Try the famous scones, Victoria Sponge and homemade soup, each of which are to die for. The kitschy furnishings, which add to the cosy retro charm, are best appreciated while enjoying the many loose-leaf teas on offer.

Invest in an Original Heirloom

The sort of place that draws you in with just a single glance, local haven Bunker 1026 is a one-stop shop for original pieces destined to tickle the fancy of self-confessed upcycling junkies. The rave reviews are all thanks to Norman, the man behind the magic and a local legend, who acquires vintage furniture and upcycles it to concoct gorgeous masterpieces. The attention to detail is second to none, and the prices cannot be disputed.

Taste Boat-Fresh Scottish Seafood at The Finnieston

Aptly named and more than just an average joe eatery, The Finnieston is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the area with its clean, modern take on Scottish seafood and abundant juniper-infused booze collection. With over 60 gins to choose from, punters are spoiled for choice – the Seafarer’s Cocktail cannot be faulted with its unique seaweed notes. Ultra-hip surrounds set the scene for the ethically sourced Scottish seafood, laissez-faire vibe and stellar hospitality.

Earn Your Glaswegian Sea Legs

Cabin

Moored at Riverside, The Tall Ship is an independent museum and must-visit attraction for any visitor eager to gain hyper-local knowledge about Glasgow’s shipbuilding history. The only one of her kind in the UK, the Glenlee is the star of the maritime show and is but one of the five surviving Clyde-built ships still afloat today. From the captain’s cabin to the maze of maritime exhibitions, this Victorian beauty of a vessel whispers memories of a bygone Glasgow.