Glasgow – Shopping, Pubs & Clubs

As a major city Glasgow has a rich and varied nightlife. In short, it’s a great party city – but if you don’t fancy painting the town red, the shopping isn’t bad either! Read on for more… 

Glasgow Nightlife

It’s estimated that Glasgow has over 50 nightclubs and 100 bars, so you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to a great night out! There are venues to suit everyone’s tastes – some of the most popular traditional pubs are the Brel Bar, The Shack and The Shed, to themed bars such as the Bar Jedi which pays homage to George Lucas’s Star Wars movies, and The Cooler, which is a prison themed public house!

For the serious clubber, there are DJ’s playing the latest tunes at Archaos, the Arches, the Sub Club, Yang, Alaska and Media Nightclub to name but a few. Other popular nightclub haunts for the serious reveller include the Garage, The Savoy, Trash, the G2, Tiger-Tiger and the Velvet Rooms.

Glasgow has a thriving music scene, with fans of live music well catered for at the King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, the Barrowlands, Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), the Plaza, and the Arches. Glasgow is home to popular artists such as Belle and Sebastian, Franz Ferdinand, the Fratellis and Glasvegas, and these bands often ply their wares in the popular music haunts of the city, where they once learned their trade!
 
Glasgow also has a reputation for fine restaurants. Whatever you feel like eating – Indian, Chinese, Italian and there are also plenty of vegetarian and seafood options as well.

Glasgow Shopping

It’s little wonder that Glasgow has become one of the UK’s most popular shopping destinations. There’s a wonderful array of shops to suit all tastes and styles. The city is packed with household names in the retail world, including high street stores and stylish boutiques.

The most popular shopping street is Buchanan Street, located right in the heart of the city centre. The Buchanan Shopping Mall has plenty of high street shops from the likes of Gap to Miss Selfridge. It features all the upmarket retailers and is tastefully lighted at night, in a unique design.

Located south of Buchanan Street is the wonderful Princes Square, which is a magnificently restored 19th century shopping mall. Inside you’ll find all the stores that fashionistas will flock to, and the architecture of the shopping mall will allow the passive shopper (the male) the chance to enjoy the design and feel of the area!

Argyll Arcade offers an opportunity to purchase some unique jewellery at the Diamond Studio, and browse the antique stores that dot the arcade.

It’s a good idea to hire a car when you’re here – you’ll have the freedom to visit areas beyond the city. For excellent rates take a look at our car hire Glasgow page.

As always if you have any comments or questions we’d love to hear from you.