Glasgow

Auchentoshan Distillery

This is one of a handful of distilleries producing lowland single malt whisky. Auchentoshan is triple distilled and very smooth, unpeaty and somewhat sweet, so it's a good "novice" whisky to try. (Scoffers might say "breakfast whisky".) Capacity of 1.8 M litres pa means it's often available at supermarket discount prices. There's been distilling on this site since 1823; the brand is now owned by Beam Suntory. Tours remain suspended.

Babbity Bowster

Slick inn in Merchant City with upstairs dining area and six hotel rooms.

Daily noon-midnight·B&B double £110

Clydeside Distillery

This is in the former dock pumphouse; it's owned by Morrison Glasgow Distillers and produces a lowland-style malt. Production began in 2017 so their first whisky came on sale in 2021.

Tours daily·Tours from £15

Glasgow Distillery Co

They make whisky and other spirits - best known is Makar's Cherry Brandy.

Horseshoe Bar

Good trad pub with food. Its horseshoe-shaped bar is one of the longest continuous bars in Europe. Rock band Travis used to rehearse upstairs before hitting the big time, and one of their Brit Awards is displayed behind the bar.

Daily 11AM-midnight

Saracen's Head

Nicknamed the “Sarry Heid” by locals, this old school pub (founded 1755, although in a different building) lies at the gateway to the Barrowlands area and the East End. Like many pubs in the area it becomes an exclusive haunt of Celtic fans on match days, and can get rowdy.

24 hours

The Ark

Artfully refurbished in 2022, this is a friendly sports bar with a big beer garden, popular with the two nearby universities.

Daily 11AM-midnight

The Ben Nevis

Snug friendly place with huge selection of whisky and other spirits.

Daily noon-midnight

The Hall

Lively sports bar, popular with the Glasgow School of Art crowd, with student discounts.

Daily noon-midnight

Waxy O'Connors

Eclectically-decorated Irish venue with six bars, nine rooms and three floors and a maze of stairs.

Sun-Thu noon-11PM, Fri Sat noon-midnight

Wellpark Brewery

Part of Tennent's - that family have been brewing hereabouts since 1556. This is the largest brewery in Scotland and produces Tennent's Lager, their best-seller. They offer a range of tours.

Tours Wed-Sun·Standard adult £12.50

West Brewery

A restaurant and micro brewery serving German trad food (daily to 9PM) and lager and hefeweizen beers. The tour takes 45 min.

Bar Sun-Thu 11AM-11PM, Fri Sat 11AM-midnight·Brewery tour £15

Alpen Lodge

Great little bar with rustic decor, speedy service and local banter.

Daily 11AM-midnight

Beer Cafe

Friendly place with a wide range of local and imported beers.

Daily 11AM-midnight

Blackfriars

Great range of local and other beers and ales in bottles and on tap, sometimes does live music.

Daily noon-midnight

Clutha & Victoria Bar

Clutha is the ancient name for the Clyde. The name has also been given to its 19th-century river ferries, a Scottish band, a dance, and this pub by the Gorbals Street bridge. In 2013 a police helicopter crashed into it, killing all three on board and seven people in the pub; 31 others were injured. The helicopter had run out of fuel as it returned to base, and dropped straight down. There was enough spare fuel aboard, but the spare feed system was switched off, and there were other errors and irregularities in the chain of causation. The tragedy is commemorated by a mural on the street corner. The Clutha is now a friendly ordinary place with live trad folk and blues music most nights.

Mon Tue noon-11PM, Wed-Sun noon-midnight

Corinthian Club

Gorgeously restored bank and law courts, this is now mainly an events venue, but Teller's Bar & Brasserie serves individuals. Smart casual dress code.

Thu noon-1AM, Fri Sat noon-3AM, Sun noon-6PM

Drygate

This is a micro-brewery at the west end of the Wellpark site - access via John Knox St. It's a joint venture between C&C (owners of Tennents) and the craft brewer Williams Bros. Pub with views into the brewery and outdoor seating.

Tours on Sun, bistro and taproom is open daily 11AM-11PM.·Tour £20

Katie's Bar

Basement pub and entertainment venue within the Italian Centre. Regular quizzes and drag acts.

Mon-Thu 3PM-midnight, Fri-Sun noon-midnight

Kitty O'Shea's

Irish-themed pub with a good selection of beers and food, TV sport, often has live music.

Mon-Thu 3PM-3AM,Fri-Sun noon-3AM

Maggie May's

Pub and restaurant with a lively programme of up and coming bands.

Wed-Sun noon-3AM

Polo Lounge

Gay bar and venue on two levels: upstairs bar in Victorian style and two dance areas downstairs. Stroppy security.

Nightly 9PM-4AM

Scotia Bar

One of Glasgow's oldest bars, established 1792, nowadays Belhaven. Famous for its folk music and trad ambiance.

Daily noon-midnight

The Counting House

Formerly a flagship branch of the Bank of Scotland, you drink in the splendour of its Victorian hall, or even snuggle in the vaults. Converted into an open plan bar by JD Wetherspoon chain, it’s popular with tourists and locals alike.

Daily 7AM-midnight

The Pot Still

A temple to whisky, with over 300 single malts, and a huge range of whiskey and other spirits from around the word. Friendly knowledgeable staff can guide you.

Daily 11AM-midnight

Underground

Mixed and relaxed crowd. Small and friendly gay bar with drag bingo on a Saturday afternoon.

Daily noon-midnight

Bier Halle

Basement beer hall, pricey, but good beer and pizza.

Daily noon-midnight

Bon Accord

Has over 500 whiskies and a huge selection of real ales.

Mon-Sat 11AM-midnight, Sun 1PM-11PM

Bunker Bar

Late spot with food and live music.

Tue-Thu 5PM-3AM, Fri Sat 1PM-3AM

Clockwork Bar

Spacious modern pub serving from its own microbrewery.

Mon-Wed noon-10PM, Thu, Sun noon-11PM, Fri Sat noon-midnight