Glasgow’s greatest whisky pub and one of the finest in Scotland. Over 700 single malts line the gantry of this Hope Street institution, which has been pouring drams since 1867. The staff know their whisky inside out and are happy to guide you. No food beyond bar snacks, no DJ — just brilliant whisky and proper pub atmosphere.

• 📍 154 Hope Street, City Centre, G2 2TH
• 🕒 Mon–Thu 11am–11pm | Fri–Sat 11am–midnight | Sun 12:30pm–11pm
• 💰 Whiskies from £4 | Pints from £4.50
• ⭐ Best for: Whisky lovers, traditional pub nights

Glasgow’s best craft brewery and taproom, right next to Tennent’s Wellpark Brewery in the East End. Drygate brews everything on-site and you can watch the process through the glass. Massive outdoor terrace, excellent burgers, live events and a rotating tap list of 20+ craft beers. A weekend essential.

• 📍 85 Drygate, East End, G4 0UT
• 🕒 Mon–Thu 12pm–11pm | Fri–Sat 12pm–midnight | Sun 12pm–10pm
• 💰 Pints from £5 | Food £8–£16
• ⭐ Best for: Craft beer, outdoor drinking, groups

Finnieston’s iconic gin and seafood bar, housed in a beautiful Victorian building on Argyle Street. One of the largest gin collections in Scotland, outstanding cocktails and the best seafood bar in the city. Book ahead for dinner — but equally brilliant for drinks at the bar.

• 📍 1125 Argyle Street, Finnieston, G3 8ND
• 🕒 Mon–Sun 12pm–12am
• 💰 Cocktails £10–£14 | Gin from £6
• ⭐ Best for: Gin lovers, cocktails, date nights

Glasgow’s best cocktail bar for atmosphere. Bar Soba serves Asian-fusion cocktails and a great late-night food menu in a lively Merchant City setting. Brilliant happy hour (5–7pm daily), excellent staff, and a late licence that keeps it buzzing well into the night.

• 📍 11 Mitchell Lane, Merchant City, G1 3NU
• 🕒 Mon–Sun 12pm–1am
• 💰 Cocktails £9–£13 | Happy hour 5–7pm
• ⭐ Best for: Cocktails, pre-club drinks, groups

A proper Glasgow pub in the best possible sense. Real ales, live jazz on Sunday afternoons, a loyal local following and an atmosphere that can’t be manufactured. The State Bar on Holland Street is a city centre gem that feels nothing like a city centre pub.

• 📍 148 Holland Street, City Centre, G2 4NG
• 🕒 Mon–Sat 11am–11pm | Sun 12:30pm–11pm
• 💰 Pints from £4.20
• ⭐ Best for: Real ale, live jazz, traditional pub

Glasgow’s most beloved dive bar and a cornerstone of the city’s music scene. Open late, cheap drinks, live music downstairs and an unfailingly good atmosphere. Everyone ends up in Sleazy’s at some point. It’s a Glasgow rite of passage.

• 📍 421 Sauchiehall Street, City Centre, G2 3LG
• 🕒 Mon–Sun 12pm–3am
• 💰 Pints from £3.80 | Entry sometimes charged for live shows
• ⭐ Best for: Late nights, live music, cheap drinks, students

A fully vegan bar and live music venue on Great Western Road. The Hug and Pint hosts some of the best small gig nights in Glasgow — intimate, brilliant sound, great acts. The bar has excellent craft beers, natural wines and a full vegan food menu that even non-vegans rave about.

• 📍 171 Great Western Road, West End, G4 9AW
• 🕒 Mon–Sun 12pm–12am
• 💰 Pints from £4.50 | Food £8–£14
• ⭐ Best for: Vegan food, live music, craft beer