Best Pubs in Glasgow
There’s no denying it, Glasgow has one of the best pub scenes in Britain, nay, Europe, nay… the world. From Victorian public houses, to craft beer taverns, to old school, traditional boozers; a great Glasgow night out starts with some cracking pubs. Here's our pick of the best.
Last updated on 2nd August 2016
With a proud and diverse history of brewery excellent alcoholic drinks, Glasgow welcomes its first brewpub in the form of the Shilling Brewing Company. Based on West George Street, the bar itself is beautifully decorated, with exposed brick and large metal pipes giving the venue a distinctive industrial vibe. Inviting guests to try some of their carefully crafted beers, the team of brewers hope to highlight a number of previously ignored flavour combinations, as well as stressing the taste value of drinking beers that have been freshly brewed only a few feet away from where they are consumed.
A mash-up of a lively bar and classic boozer, McChuills is one of Glasgow's live gigging venues where you can douse yourself in international brews and beers aplenty. With a penchant for folk music, jive and jig at this vibrant pub in Glasgow. With pop-up restaurant The Mad Cow set up here as well you can chow down on some pretty beefy burgers.
Another bustling Irish joint, Waxy O'Connor's is a sprawling monster of a pub. Set over three floors, this stunning Glasgow bar is beautifully crafted with incredible carpentry throughout. Despite the size, it still has a homely local feel with GAA shown here for Irish sport fans, and SPL for the natives. And with a selection of stellar grub coming out of the kitchen and some cracking brews behind the bar, this pub is a proper all-rounder.
An inviting space of rich woods, traditional Irish décor and snug alcoves, Kitty retains a warm and welcoming ambience that it’s impossible not to savour. There’s 11 beers on tap and a devoted whisky bar if things look like escalating, and plenty of comfort food classics if you’re looking to dig in. Head this way if you’re into sport; there’s 7 flat screens to show all the big fixtures around the world.
Modern equipment meets age-old tradition at West, which operates as the UK’s only brewery acting in complete accordance with the German Purity Law of 1516. Head here for a crisp pint of authentic Glaswegian beer and with an exciting menu combining Scottish and German ingredients, it makes sense to stick around for some food too.
A cool cavernous hangout with a blinding beer garden, Inn Deep is one good Glasgow pub. A friendly crowd make for fun vibes while a great night out is near guaranteed with a blinding range of craft beers and ales. An unexpected gem by the Kelvin river, and well worth checking out.
A prized seafood restaurant and cocktail bar complete with its own secret garden, The Finnieston uses the finest in sustainable Scottish ingredients, and it shows. Pop in for a feast of fresh oysters and the catch of the day, then retire to a gin bar which deals in exciting signatures and a whole medley of G&Ts.
The Ben Nevis is a lovingly designed pub at the Finnieston end of Argyle Street. With bagloads of charm, this Glasgow pub is laden with elements of Scottish folklore and history, with an ode to the rich countryside in solid woods, slate and stone. With live trad music three nights a week, a mighty whisky selection and staff here who know their stuff, The Ben Nevis is a great spot for a snifter.
170 years of doling out drinks has secured The Horseshoe Bar's place in Glasgow pub history. With the longest continuous bar in Britain, the - ironically - horseshoe shaped bar is worth a visit for the record breaking factor alone. But more than just a gimmicky watering how this Victorian pub has some great banter from a wily bunch of regulars. Don't forget to stretch your vocal chords before you come in though, this place means business with its karaoke machine.
A hotspot for craft beer enthusiasts from the city and beyond, Drygate makes a name for itself as the UK’s first experiential craft brewery. It’s a bustling space comprising of a 24-tap beer hall, a raised beer garden, restaurant and bottle shop, and remains at the forefront of Scotland’s brewing scene thanks to its innovative approach.
With one of the city's widest whisky selections, The Pot Still was always going to make our list of the best Glasgow pubs. A super spot for after work drinks, this city centre bar is often bustling. Glasgow characters seem to congregate here for a quality drink and some quality banter. A family run establishment this a traditional pub with some very modern initiatives - women's whisky club, anyone?
A gorgeous gastro pub in the West End, the Curler's Rest is one of the cosiest hangouts in Glasgow. A great boozer whether you're in a big group around a beerhall style bench, or a loved up couple snogging on the sofa. Awesome grub, a ma-hoo-sive range of beers, a fire crackling away and all the newspapers, board games and live sport you could ever need, makes this one of the best pubs in Glasgow. Can we move in please?
Strathclyde Uni students need stray too far from home in search of a warm, wallet-friendly local. The Ark welcomes people inside for pub grub throughout the day, and is a hive of activity on matchday as sporting fans from around the city come to watch the sporting action on the big screen. The Ark’s also your place for a spot of summertime shenanigans, with its spacious and modern beer garden.
