Student guide: Clubbing hitlist - Glasgow

This article is from 2008.

David Pollock selects the top ten club nights you cannot afford to miss.

OPTIMO

Sub Club, 22 Jamaica Street, 248 4600; every Sunday, £7 (£6, more if a guest night)

Riding the crest of a wave for the best part of a decade now, JD Twitch and JG Wilkes’ Optimo (Espacio), which borrows the aesthetic of early 80s New York nightlife and musical elements of dance music’s entire history, is regularly described as Scotland’s best club - and with very good reason. Look out for the Optimo (Espookio) Halloween special on Sun 2 Nov.
Who goes there: The coolest crowd in Glasgow and the very few who desperately want to be.

NUMBERS

Sub Club, 22 Jamaica Street, 248 4600; first Friday of every month, prices vary

Run by a committee of almost a dozen DJs, designers and promoters, it’s no wonder everything about Numbers seems to have been worked out perfectly. From the eye-catching flyer design to the revolving cartel of residents, it’s a night which screams quality. The always-interesting roster of live guests has recently included Autechre and Dopplereffekt. Coming up: Anthony ‘Shake’ Shakir (Detroit) on Fri 3 Oct.
Who goes there: A purist techno crowd and a bunch of classier Friday night fun-seekers co-exist in perfect harmony.

DEATH DISCO

The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000; third Saturday of every month, £12

Another club which knows how to make a strong visual impression, Death Disco is a night which plays on the lurid neon style of the disco era, while rooting its sound in noughties electro. Residents include DJ Mingo-go and Hushpuppy from R-P-Z, while an always-well-stocked guest list has recently included Riton, Freeform Five, Bonde Do Role, Headman and The Glimmers.
Who goes there: This is a disco kid’s haven.

R-P-Z

Glasgow School of Art, 167 Renfrew Street, 332 0691; every Thursday, £4 (£3)

Offering what they call ‘digital disco, hi-nrg punk rhythms and junk rock attitude’, the club formerly known as Record Playerz is a gay-friendly Thursday-nighter which prides itself on a no-guest-DJ policy. Instead, residents Hushpuppy and Bonjour Boi are joined by sporadic live guests, who have recently included Modular’s Midnight Juggernauts and Glasgow’s own Findo Gask. Entry also gets you into the GSA’s Freakmoves night.
Who goes there: Art students and anyone with a bit of disco attitude.

CLUB NOIR: BACKSTAGE

The Winchester Club, 49 Bell Street, 552 3586; first Saturday of every month, £10 (£8 before midnight)

The baby version of the venue-hopping Club Noir, this classy burlesque night features risqué acts, a Burlesque Idol contest for the audience, ‘vintage’ sounds and an eminently well-dressed crowd.
Who goes there: Anyone who wants a spectacle that’s different-but-tasteful.

PRESSURE

The Arches, 253 Argyle Street, 565 1000; last Friday of every month, prices vary

One of the flagship clubs at the truly impressive Arches, a selection of vaulted halls under Glasgow’s Central Station, epic house and techno night Pressure is pricey but still value for money. Coming up: headliners Josh Wink (Fri 26 Sep) and Green Velvet (Fri 31 Oct).
Who goes there: Those who like their clubbing no holes barred.

BACK TAE MINE

Flying Duck, 142 Renfield Street, 572 0100, every Friday, £5

Run by Gavin Dunbar from Camera Obscura, this indie night offers something a little extra -- free toast and shortbread in a truly unique venue which has been decked out to resemble someone’s living room. With its own dancefloor, obviously.
Who goes there: Anyone who enjoys a house party, but not the cleaning up after.

KINKY AFRO

Sub Club, 22 Jamaica Street, 248 4600; last Friday of every month, £10

A monthly event at the Subbie which has really come into its own lately as a champion of cutting-edge music from all genres. This year has already seen diverse live sets from Santogold, Benga and Buraka Som Sistema, while Christian Vogel meets Neil Landstrumm in a live, improvised face-off on Fri 26 Sep.
Who goes there: Everyone and anyone depending on the line-up.

SPIT FIRE

Blackfriars Basement, 36 Bell Street, 552 5924; second Friday of every month, £4

An indie night which takes itself just seriously enough to be great fun, Spit Fire promises a broad church which includes punk, pop, Motown and various types of electronic music.
Who goes there: All-age indie fans of the less po-faced variety.

KAPUT

The Admiral, 72 Waterloo Street, 221 7705; last Saturday of every month, £4

In their own words, ‘a rock ‘n’ roll dance party held in a near pitch-black basement’. DJing team Duncan, Tom and Kid Twist have experts’ taste in everything from New Wave to krautrock and classic film scores.
Who goes there: Fans of real outsider music.