Sometimes, the pockets get tight and while we might not particularly like it, we have to budget. Sigh. However, this vibrant Scottish city empathises with us and has a wide range of activities to suit our financial needs. From bargain boozy brunches to retro game nights, we've handpicked the best cheap and free things to do in Glasgow.
Last edited by Lauren Cole
Last updated on 23rd June 2025
Tennents Bar has loads of affordable events throughout the week. You'll find karaoke here every Friday with no charge, plus Sunday's quiz night won't cost you a penny either, perfect if you're after free things to do in Glasgow this weekend. And if you head over on a Monday? Enjoy live comedy for only a fiver.
If you've ever wanted to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how beer is made, book your tickets to WEST On The Green's brewery tour. For £15 per person, you'll be guided on-site by an expert for 45 minutes learning about the venue's history, followed by a tasting of three WEST creations.
@ Maggie's on Various dates from Friday 14th November 2025
Strap on your Western boots and saddle up for Maggie's Rock 'n' Rodeo Presents: The Cowboy Ceilidh. Every Friday night from 6pm, expect line dancing lessons, live country music and a DJ until 3am. Making the list of cheap things to do in Glasgow for couples, tickets are £8 and include a free bull ride.
@ Sloans Bar and Restaurant on Sunday 30th November 2025 and 4 other Sundays
Grab £8 tickets for Sloans Wee Ceilidh on select Saturdays and let your hair down in the Grand Ballroom. Live band Chitterybite will be soundtracking well-known dances like Gay Gordons and Strip the Willow, so grab your partner and show off them moves.
Try your hand at Flight Club's social darts from only £10 per person for 60 minutes or £13 for 90 minutes. Set within a gorgeous heritage building on George Street, it offers cheap things to do in Glasgow city centre. There's an exciting space to play games, as well as sip on cocktails and tuck into a cheeky slice of pizza.
Maggie's Rock N Rodeo is the ultimate venue for country music fans, combining the energy of a rodeo with the fun of a night out.
With a variety of events like the popular Cowboy Ceilidh with tickets starting from £8 each, and line dancing nights, Maggie's is your go-to spot for a unique and thrilling experience. Enjoy live entertainment, themed nights, and a lively atmosphere where everyone can join in the fun.
There are heaps of budget-friendly activities at BrewDog Merchant City. Until 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays, enjoy a boozy brunch for £30. Mondays also bring 2 for 1 offers on delicious vegan and veggie mains (available at its sister site in Kelvingrove too), while Tuesday's quiz night is sure to test your brain power.
ARTÀ in Glasgow is a Mediterranean-inspired venue offering a unique blend of tapas dining, vibrant nightlife, and exciting events. Located in the heart of Merchant City, this stylish venue features a hacienda-style main bar, intimate dining areas, and a club space for lively parties.
It's known for its eclectic events, from bandeoke every Saturday with tickets from £10 to recurring comedy shows and themed parties, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for all occasions.
Waxy O'Connor's is always a good idea. Set over three floors with nine different rooms, it's an enormous Irish watering hole with dark, wooden furnishings and narrow windows. There's plenty of entertainment, like free live music in the church bar every week, celebrating an array of talent.
Join O'Neill's in Merchant Square for their free pub quiz. Every Thursday from 7.30pm, expect facts to roll and foreheads to frown as you compete in teams for prizes, including one for the best name (so pick wisely). Tuck into tasty grub and sip some pints while you're there too, or pop down on Fridays and Saturdays for DJs.
The Corset Club, located in Glasgow's historic Jacobean Corsetry building, is a vibrant, inclusive venue celebrating diversity and offering unforgettable entertainment. This hotspot features nightly performances, signature cocktails, and a lively atmosphere that invites everyone to feel celebrated.
From cabaret acts to karaoke parties all fronting tickets starting from a fiver each, The Corset Club promises a sensational experience that won't cost an arm and a leg.
Popworld brings the party as one of the more cheesy, cheap and free things to do in Glasgow at night. Think low-cost drink bundles and high-energy vibes. Dance your way past retro wigs and inflatables on a brightly lit dancefloor to songs from the 80s, 90s and beyond.
Because everyone's favourite thing to do is eat, check out these cheap places to eat in Glasgow. With restaurants like Kimchi Cult, Thaikun and Halloumi Central, you're bound to get your fix of delicious food in this city, without breaking the bank.
@ Glasgow Central Station on Various dates from Wednesday 12th November 2025
Get the whole gang involved with cheap and free things to do in Glasgow for families. Set off around the city solving puzzles, riddles and codes as part of The Great Game Treasure Hunt. Choose from two different routes then wander past landmarks, trundling through hidden back streets to uncover your prize with this low-cost activity.
Platform is a cool arts centre with all kinds of cheap and free events going on. They host everything from live music to plays and acting workshops, most of which cost under a tenner, if there is a charge at all. What's more, they have a super affordable cafe and bar on site too.
Located in the West End, Stravaigin is an affordable bar and restaurant decked out in pretty fairy lights and serving a menu of international eats. Here, you'll find everything from Moroccan-style roasted aubergine or Indonesian fried rice with king prawns to gastro pub favourites.
The Blue Arrow is a jazz bar tucked away on Sauchiehall Street, hosting local performers from Thursday to Saturday every single week. This stylish venue touts dark interiors, exposed brickwork and red theatre lights for a truly immersive experience, with a great choice of drinks on offer too.
The Islay Inn is home to all kinds of entertainment, with something happening every single night of the week. Whether you fancy quizzes on a Wednesday, Irish folk sessions on Thursdays or live bands on Fridays and Saturdays, this traditional boozer is the perfect place to kick back with a whisky and soak up the good vibes.
Located on Argyle Street, The Ben Nevis is a friendly pub that hosts traditional folk music performances three nights a week, free of charge. This boozer is all about Scottish history, from Gaelic etchings on the walls to the finest whisky behind the bar.
For rooftop views of Glasgow and a whole lot of affordable eats, head to Red Sky Bar, overlooking the river Clyde. Their small plates start from just £5 and the cocktails range from classics to their signature Red Sky At Night, and come the weekend you can expect DJ sets 'til late and the occasional live performance.
On the hunt for cheap and free things to do in Glasgow today? Bloc+ is a lively bar in the city centre boasting independent gigs every night of the week, including open mic sessions on Sundays. What's more, they've got a cracking menu of both food and drink to enjoy with the show.
Inspired by the jazz and blues era of 1950s Mississippi, The Howlin' Wolf hosts regular and affordable live music every night of the week. As well as this, they boast a fantastic selection of cocktails inspired by rock icons, such as the Blind Lemon Jefferson or an Albert Collins.
