Restaurants, Bar & Pub Food
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Driftwood
2–4 St Georges Road,
Glasgow,
G3 6UJ
Driftwood has been a fixture of Charing Cross for a few years now, offering cheap and cheerful food to hungry students and weary shoppers. The dining area is decked out in the 'traditional' Mexican terracotta and yellow, though it's actually barely…
The Butterfly and the Pig
153 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4SQ
Going for a meal at The Butterfly and the Pig is something of an Alice in Wonderland experience. Beyond its unprepossessing basement entrance, the bar is decorated like the Mad Hatter's front room, with chintz sofas, doilies and Welsh dressers bursting…
Capitol
468 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3LN
Capitol is a bar that markets itself as the epicentre of lad and ladette culture, boasting endless sport on 11 televisions and a big screen, regular DJ sessions, quizzes and live music events five nights out of seven. (There are even private karaoke…
Arta
The Old Cheesemarket, 62 Albion Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1PA
When the smart restaurant within the G1 Group's Arta complex of bars and opened its doors in 2000, the menu was largely Spanish and in keeping with the design of the building (although it's a former cheese market, the interior has been modelled on a…
The Loft Bar & Restaurant
The Grosvenor Theatre, Ashton Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8SJ
Set above the Grosvenor Cinema, The Loft is one of the largest establishments on Ashton Lane and as such is packed at the weekend with students and young professionals from across Glasgow. Midweek sees more locals venturing into this vast, airy space.
Òran Mór
731–735 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8QX
The grand looking Òran Mór, a converted sandstone church overlooking Byres Road and the Botanic Gardens, attempts to cater for the varied wants of trendy West End locals by being all things to all punters: restaurant (see Scottish), club, theatre, bar…
The Granary
32–34 The Shore, Leith,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QN
Part of the Glasgow-based G1 Group's expansion into Edinburgh, the Granary is a new addition to the Shore's diverse line-up of eating and drinking spots. This mock-traditional pub has a dark timber interior, housing a bar area, a small balcony where…
The Ship on the Shore
24–26 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QN
The Ship on the Shore has often been overshadowed by its more prominent fishy comrades in this area of Leith, but this is sure to change with the arrival of new management and new chef Michael Pasiecznik. The wood-panelled bar area is good for a…
The Social
27 Royal Exchange Square,
Glasgow,
G1 3AJ
Location is key for this trendy city centre bar/brasserie in the G1 Group's stable of stylish ventures. A huge square bar dominates the interior space, surrounded by dark wooden tables and leather pouffes. A mixture of suits and pre-clubbers rub…
The Stand Comedy Club
5 York Place, Queen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3EB
For ten years mirth-seekers have delved beneath York Place in search of something to tickle their ribs and split their sides – and the hugely successful comedy club has provided just that. To accompany the Thursday to Saturday night line-ups, a…
Mono
12 King's Court, King Street,
Glasgow,
G1 5RB
A Mecca not only for astute contemporary and indie music fans, with an in-house record shop ideal for leisurely browsing, Mono is also rightly proud to serve home-cooked dishes that are 'free of meat, fish and dairy products'. The laid-back…
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut
272a St Vincent Street,
Glasgow,
G2 5RL
While it's famous as the place to hear many of the best up-and-coming bands, King Tut's is just as adept at feeding and watering the local office population. The basement bar, featuring worn wooden tables around the walls – themselves a gallery of…
The King's Wark
36 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QU
The Leith dining scene continues to change apace, so it's reassuring to see one of its longest established pubs staying ahead of the pack. The main bar offers a traditional bar menu spiced up daily to include blackboard specials; the adjacent dining…
Big Slope
36a Kelvingrove Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7SA
Occupying a basement near Kelvingrove Park, this Alpine-themed bar is the closest Glasgow gets to après-ski. Black leather booths nestle under wooden panels depicting snow scenes, while antlers decorate the walls. Students and office workers snap up…
Chinaski's
239 North Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7DL
The almost anonymous exterior and dimly lit, stylish interior makes Chinaski's a secret and sophisticated haven from the city rush, epitomised by the sunken M8 across the road. Even if you have never heard of Henry Chinaski, the relaxed approach of bar…
Eighty Queen Street
80 Queen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4NF
Soft candle-light, live jazz and good cocktails are surely on the recipe for a good start to any night out. Eighty Queen Street displays these elements in abundance to ease you into your meal. From an extensive menu, which is served from 8am Monday to…
Nice'n'Sleazy
421 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3LG
Providing art students and gig-goers with cheap food and drink for almost two decades now, Nice'n'Sleazy shows no sign of slowing down. The pool table may be gone but the random collection of tables and chairs, including sleek 1950s-style leather lounge…
The Left Bank
33–35 Gibson Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8NU
Our 2007 Newcomer of the Year, the Left Bank is still managing to draw in the crowds – the popular bar/bistro has the holy trinity of dedicated service, competitive prices and honest, solid cooking to thank for its success. The stylish décor helps as…
Mama San
190 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4HG
Saint Jude's boutique hotel presents Mama San – a design-conscious, sultry style bar with a Southeast Asian theme. Opened in December 2007, the narrow basement space stretches from the cocktail bar up front to a sushi counter at the back, incorporating…
Monteiths
57–61 High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SR
Spanking new Monteiths brings a touch of glitz and glamour to this section of the Royal Mile, more commonly associated with pubs and tourist attractions. The entrance is down a vine-arched and lit alleyway next to Moubray House, at the bottom of which…
Tron Theatre
63 Trongate,
Glasgow,
G1 5HB
The Tron Theatre enjoys a reputation for its commitment to producing innovative original work and the thriving bar is evidence of the venue's continuing popularity with the Glasgow arts crowd. The Victorian Bar, the oak-panelled dining room in the heart…
Moskito
200 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4HG
Bath Street has seen many a pub come and go but Moskito is now something of an old hand, having been trading steadily here since 2000. This seems largely due to its ability to appeal to a mixed crowd, offering a wide variety of beers, a comprehensive…
Urban Bar & Brasserie
23–25 St Vincent Place,
Glasgow,
G1 2DT
Elegance and glamour are evident when you enter this venture owned by the team behind the successful Gamba restaurant. Dark wood flooring, black leather banquettes and white linen table clothes give a classic feel to the dining room, while a centrepiece…
Cottier's
93–95 Hyndland Street,
Glasgow,
G11 5PX
Nestled in the eaves of one wing of an old church that also houses a theatre and bar is Cottier's restaurant. Decorated in gold and blue and lit with fairy lights, the dining room can feel like one of Glasgow's more romantic settings. The food is…
Filmhouse Café Bar
88 Lothian Road,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9BZ
It is rare thing these days to find a place to eat that truly serves a purpose and functions without pretension, unnecessary frills or ideas above its station. The Filmhouse Bar has fulfilled such a role in Edinburgh for over 20 years, providing a…
Corinthian/Lite Bar
191 Ingram Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1DA
As we went to press with the 15th edition edition of The List Eating & Drinking Guide, this G1 Group-run landmark was preparing for another rejigging (with the six-week works due to commence in spring 2008). But as the building is listed, its owners can…
Drawing Room
1055 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7UD
With the neo-gothic Glasgow University tower and the formidable Kelvingrove Museum dominating the horizon outside, Drawing Room boasts one of the most glorious views for a West End bar. Window seating has been maximised so that punters can take in the…
Ad Lib
33 Ingram Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1HA
Glasgow's two Ad Libs have carved a niche as perhaps the more mature establishments that focus on US-style cuisine. The newer Merchant City outlet has a grander atmosphere, with marble walls and well-spaced booths that give it a chic, cosmopolitan…
Avoca
4–6 Dean Street,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1LW
This is a bar that knows exactly what it's doing when it comes to food. It's not attempting to be a bistro: it's emphatically a bar and loves being a bar. Taste is everything in this little relaxing snug; music and chat don't intrude on your dining and…
Barça Tapas and Cava Bar
Princes Square, 48 Buchanan Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3JN
The flexible tapas format is ideal for Barça's location on the top floor of Princes Square, where a quick, restorative bite and a glass of decent wine can fit into the most demanding shopping or social schedule. Barça delivers the goods with excellent…
City Café
19 Blair Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1QR
City Café has long been a buzzing starting-off point for a night out in Edinburgh. Live DJ sets at the weekend attract hordes of clubbers bound for Cabaret Voltaire across the street or the Bongo Club down the road. During the day, the American…
Cloisters
26 Brougham Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9JH
Occasionally, there's a short wait for chips at this Tollcross pub. It's nothing to do with bad service, though: the chef just needs freshly to peel more spuds. Great care is taken over the daily changing bar meal menu, which now includes extra dishes…
Europa
8–10 West George Street,
Glasgow,
G2 1DR
There are two big selling points for this barnlike bar: its proximity to Queen Street Station and George Square and its many TV screens showing football, which draw large crowds for big games. There's a giant one indoors, mini-screens above the booths…
Iglu
2b Jamaica Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6HH
Iglu is a venue that takes its organic, local and ethical food policy very seriously. But don't feel guilty if you need to take a taxi there should you find it hard to locate: it's hidden away from the main drag of the city centre and lurks…
The Street
2 Picardy Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3JT
At the corner of Picardy Place, right on the apex of Edinburgh's 'pink triangle' is the Street, a sociable, gay-friendly bar that also serves up tasty grub. It's shaped like a fishbowl, the wide glass walls and tall stools allowing guests to see and be…
Amicus Apple
17 Frederick Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2EY
Amicus Apple has been under new ownership since 2007, and its basement area has been transformed into a chic, welcoming, boudoir-like space. Patterned black walls, twinkling light fittings and comfortable leather chairs accommodate shoppers and office…
The Bank
443 Clarkston Road,
Glasgow,
G44 3LL
Housed in an impressively spacious former bank building, this pub and restaurant shows that catering for a wide range of tastes – and keeping standards reasonably high – is possible. Vast brown sofas, long wooden tables and a stained glass dome in the…
Basement Bar
10a–12a Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RH
Situated below busy Broughton Street, The Basement is a lively little bistro where staff dressed in Hawaiian shirts often greet you at the door. Inside, tall gothic candles and 80s retro décor set the tone of fun, casual dining. The menu, which changes…
Oddfellows
14 Forrest Road,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QN
Oddfellows is housed inside a beautiful building, which has been transformed into a student-friendly refectory by the Festival Inns chain. There are no booths or romantic nooks in this place, and you're unlikely to want to gaze into the eyes of another…
Old Chain Pier
32 Trinity Crescent, Newhaven,
Edinburgh,
EH5 3ED
Leith's Waterfront developments are bringing new residents and business to institutions such as the bustling Old Chain Pier, a historic location perched just above the Forth. There are outdoor tables in the summer, and the vast expanse of glass affords…
sygn
15 Charlotte Lane,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4QZ
Sygn has been quietly building a reputation for quality since it first appeared in a fuzzy pink glow in 2004. In both style and substance it is the equal of any of the bars on George Street. Subdued lighting, considered décor and plush furnishings set…
The 13th Note Café/Bar
50–60 King Street,
Glasgow,
G1 5QT
An institution among music fans due to its intimate basement venue and eclectic jukebox, the 13th Note proves a popular choice for meat-free meals – whatever your musical taste. Everything is free of genetically modified products, with light meals…
The Voodoo Rooms
19a West Register Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2AA
When the Voodoo Rooms opened at the end of 2007 the promise of an intoxicating blend of tiki cocktails and live music in decadent surroundings created a fair old sensation. And if you're off to check it all out, know this: there's a Devil's Kitchen in…
Bunker
193–199 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4HU
From lunchtime until late into the night, Bunker provides a stylish refuge for students and young office workers. Pale wood floors and light walls make this Bath Street basement even more spacious than it seems, while curved leather seating and lines of…
Centraal
32 West Nicholson Street, Southside,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DD
West Nicolson Street is probably the classic student haunt of Edinburgh with its grungy but independent-minded array of shops, sandwich bars, pubs and cheaper eateries. Centraal bar and restaurant tucks itself away at the bottom of a steep staircase…
The Living Room
150 St Vincent Street,
Glasgow,
G2 5NE
Slightly adrift from the hub of the city centre, this stylish bar and restaurant pulls in a mix of fashionable twentysomethings and corporate diners on expense accounts. It's dark and moody inside, the long rectangular space divided between cocktail bar…
All Bar One
29–31 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2PA
Once upon a time, All Bar One was the fresh-faced, exclusive bar-about-town frequented by apple flirtini-sipping suits. While never quite diverting the gastro-pub experts, it did embed the wine bar-diner concept in the nation's consciousness. But the…
Bar Bola
144 Park Road,
Glasgow,
G4 9HB
Gibson Street and the northern, leafy fringes of Kelvingrove Park are on the doorstep of Bar Bola, a quirky venue that straddles the divide between student hangout and local style bar. Despite its idiosyncrasy, this ever-popular destination is often…
Bar 91
91 Candleriggs,
Glasgow,
G1 1NP
The refurbished Bar 91 has retained its aloof smartness and lack of pretention, with new chunky tables, dark red and oyster walls and a refitted bar stocking beers by West Brewing Company. Light and airy, it has a steady office lunchtime trade that…
Biblos
1 Chambers Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1HR
Located close to the university, Biblos tends to be dominated by members of Edinburgh's student population. The venue has recently undergone a revamp: curtains, comfy armchairs and bright lampshades now lend the space a contemporary, clubby feel. The…
The Cambridge Bar
20 Young Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JB
For simple, filling pub grub, you can't do much better than a well-made burger and chips. That's virtually all they serve at the Cambridge, besides home-made bean burgers for veggies and chicken breasts for non-beef fans. It's the attention to detail…
Cargo
Edinburgh Quay, 129 Fountainbridge,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9QA
Cargo's chic and airy space has been designed to draw in a hip, young crowd. Large glass panes at the back show off the beer garden by the canal and illuminate a large seating area full of polished black furniture and leather booths. The outdoor area is…
Darcy's
The Courtyard, Princes Square,
Glasgow,
G1 3JN
Nestling among a plethora of bars, restaurants and luxury outlets in Princes Square, Darcy's occupies a quiet corner away from the hoards of frantic shoppers. Perhaps in a concerted effort to de-stress those seeking refuge from the bustling crowds, the…
Le Monde
16 George Street, New Town,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2PS
Behind Le Monde Hotel lies quite a seductive idea: each room exudes the ambience of one of the world's most iconic cities. Got your passport? First stop: Milan. It's Italian-style espresso central, so grab a coffee and lounge to your heart's delight.
Pintxo
562 Dumbarton Road,
Glasgow,
G11 6RH
The Basque word pintxo (pronounced 'pincho') refers to the bite-sized snacks Spaniards typically consume during leisurely bar crawls. Here in less-than-sunny Partick, you can enjoy just such a little mouthful for £1 at the bar, but with nowhere similar…
The Shore Bar & Restaurant
3 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QW
The venerable and much-loved Shore Bar & Restaurant was taken over by immediate neighbours Fishers in the spring of 2008. The Shore has one of Edinburgh's most appealing old interiors, its separate bar and restaurant areas both featuring extensive dark…
The Standard
24 Howe Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6TG
Stylish décor, with a nod to the old school Manhattan diner, lends the Standard an air of polished elegance. Adorning most of the walls are framed black and white photos, while the rest of the space is taken up by large TV screens that normally screen…
Tusk
18 Moss Side Road,
Glasgow,
G41 3TN
This vast G1 Group bar/club and restaurant has an interior of truly striking extravagant opulence, with a vast gold-painted Buddha overlooking the dining room. Rich, dark red walls plus cream and gold curtains offer appropriately theatrical touches in…
The Universal
57-59 Sauchiehall Lane, City Centre,
Glasgow,
G2 4JD
Flashier town centre bars may struggle to fill their sofas on an early week evening, but this little bar is buzzing pretty much every night. Hidden away on a side street, it can't attract much walk-up, so what's its secret? On two floors, bare brick…
The Abbotsford
3 Rose Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2PR
At first sight, this classic city centre bar looks like an old-fashioned spit and sawdust affair. But there's a real diversity of clientele here, from chattering ladies who lunch to the pinstriped suit brigade and hungover tourists seeking sustenance.
Bar Gandolfi
64 Albion Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1NY
Housed in the loft above the much-loved Café Gandolfi, this warm, tiny bar eschews the cuisine and décor of its older sibling in favour of an identity all of its own. Quirky wooden furniture, steel beams and candlelight reflecting off battered cream…
Bar MC
129 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 2SZ
This basement venue in the swish ABode Hotel was formerly known as Michael Caines Café Bar. It was rebranded in October 2007, but not too much has changed: Bar MC incorporates both a family-friendly restaurant (where under fives eat free) and a…
Budda
8 Cresswell Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8AA
Four years after opening in the West End, Budda still offers something of an ethnic cocoon. Gold statues line the bar, Balinese lanterns hang from rich orange walls and twisted wooden chairs create a sense of far-eastern intimacy overlooking the cobbles…
Mine
158–166 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4TB
Two parts gentleman's club to one part burlesque lounge, the interior of Mine is an impressively luxurious setting. Booths of deep crimson leather and dark, polished wooden tables lit by individual 1940s-style lamps lend the space a feeling of intimacy…
The Orchard
1/2 Howard Place, Canonmills,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5JZ
The Orchard has done its best to be as accommodating as possible: you can cosy down on the squashy sofas over brunch at the weekends; grab a window table and watch the passing crowds or barfly it at the large central bar. Dark wooden furniture contrasts…
Barioja
19 Jeffrey Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DR
As the younger, funkier sibling to Iggs restaurant next door, Barioja serves traditional tapas in relaxed, style-bar surroundings. With large picture windows overlooking Calton Hill, their promise to bring you 'Spanish sunshine, whatever the weather…
Bloc+
117 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 2SZ
Two-for-one offers on pizzas and burgers, 20% reductions with matriculation cards, and £8.50 bottles of the wine of the month – not always available – make Bloc+ a student magnet. Beanies, indie-kid hair and bright boho threads are de rigueur, and…
Candy Bar
113–115 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JN
Aimed squarely at the pretty young things, the Candy Bar really is the cheeky twinkle in the eye of Edinburgh's George Street. There's an air of backstreet chic about the place, with the emphasis on drinking and having a good time rather than eating.
The Granary
10–16 Kilmarnock Road,
Glasgow,
G41 3NH
Laid-back, traditional and situated in the heart of Shawlands, it's easy to see why many nearby residents treat The Granary as their local. The sandstone exterior gives way to a spacious, more modern room with flocked wallpaper, gilt mirrors, a…
The Hudson Hotel
7–11 Hope Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4EL
When this former post office reopened in 2006 as a hotel, the idea was to create the atmosphere of a slick Manhattan hangout in Edinburgh's West End. Brick walls and dark floorboards on the ground floor bar may have you fooled that you're in a trendy…
Lebowskis
1008 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8LX
Formerly Elbow Room, this bar underwent a change of ownership and a slick makeover in late 2007, reopening as a venue that stands to further the culinary kudos of long-overlooked Finnieston. Lebowski's is a gentrified haven from its still rather gritty…
Republic Bier Halle
9 Gordon Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3PL
Whether it's Canadian Moosehead, a snappy Swedish Crocodile or a luxurious Arran Blonde, Republic is bound to satisfy anyone's thirst for beer, with up to 70 brews on offer from around the world. Little has changed at its original location on Gordon…
Utopia
154–158 Easter Road,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5RL
Easter Road's first style bar was intended as a diamond in the rough when it opened in 2006, with a sleek brown interior and smart cocktail menu. It's no longer the head-turner it once was but the area is transforming gradually and Utopia sees itself as…
Villager
49–50 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EJ
The first in the mini-empire of style bars that now includes Dragonfly and the Voodoo Rooms, Villager is run by three style-conscious, fun-loving Edinburgh businessmen. The décor is a mix of graffiti stencil art, vintage trainers and trashy-chic…
Bar Soba
11 Mitchell Lane,
Glasgow,
G1 3NU
It may feel at first like a standard city-centre style bar with its muted lighting, studiously minimalist décor and languorous background beats, but Bar Soba's food is more than an afterthought to complement the range of fancy bottled beers. The kitchen…
Cameo Bar
23 Commercial Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6JA
The Cameo's location by the waterfront in Leith means it regularly welcomes a lively crowd of locals and office workers. The bar menu, served all day, features a selection of pub favourites: nachos, sandwiches, baked potatoes, burgers and pasta, all…
Home
80 Albion Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1NY
The drinks selection at Home gives away its almost exclusive focus on the student crowd from nearby Strathclyde University: a variety of value shots and cocktails make this cavernous venue ideal for clubbers fuelling up before a night out. The large…
Ivory Bar & Restaurant
2–4 Camphill Avenue,
Glasgow,
G41 3AY
The creamy walls of this restaurant, bar and hotel distinguish it from the tenements surrounding Queen's Park. The conservatory dining room has unobstructed views of the park, while the space at the rear offers glimpses into the kitchen. Timber floors…
Negociants
45–47 Lothian Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1HB
Long established as a late-night eatery for nighthawk students and Edinburgh festival-goers (the Teviot and Udderbelly venues are just across the road), Negociants has recently been taken over by members of staff and was implementing various changes at…
Pivo Pivo
15 Waterloo Street, City Centre,
Glasgow,
G2 6AY
Pivo Pivo was one of Glasgow's first pubs to serve an extensive range of world beers - from Argentinian Quilmes to Kirin from Japan - and still largely trades on punters' tourism. Located right beside Central Station, its small bar area lies at the foot…
Red Lizard
51 Bell Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1NX
On a corner site in the heart of the Merchant City, Red Lizard aims to combine different bar styles. From the drawing room-style drapes at the large windows and chunky leather chesterfields clustered in corners, to the tiger skin above the red-flock…
Tigerlily
125 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JN
A couple of years on from its much-heralded arrival on Edinburgh's night-life scene, this smart hotel, bar and restaurant is very much the glitzy hotspot it always aspired to be. The urbane, affluent and highly presentable clientele descend on this…
All Bar One
Exchange Plaza, 50 Lothian Road,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9BY
Once upon a time, All Bar One was the fresh-faced, exclusive bar-about-town frequented by apple flirtini-sipping suits. While never quite diverting the gastro-pub experts, it did embed the wine bar-diner concept in the nation's consciousness. But the…
All Bar One
62–72 St Vincent Street,
Glasgow,
G2 5TS
With floor-to-ceiling windows on the corner of St Vincent and West Nile streets, All Bar One is well placed to watch the world go by over a drink or a bite. Such is its bustling nature, however, it seems as if few people have time to linger at its…
Apero
34 Alva Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 4PY
Tucked away among the cobbled streets of Edinburgh's West End, Apero is a real hidden gem of a bar, which sits somewhere between exclusive cocktail bar and 'members only' supper club. The décor is adorable, even if it has the feel of having been thrown…
The Big Blue
445 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8HH
The River Kelvin is admittedly no Mediterranean. But as far as pleasant waterside spots for dining in Glasgow go, the Big Blue has one of the best of the bunch. It's a boon, especially on those warm, sunny days when tables and chairs are set out the…
Dalriada
77 Promenade, Portobello,
Edinburgh,
EH15 2EL
Situated in an imposing building at the Joppa end of the Portobello Promenade, Dalriada is a fantastic bar-cum-café that's just perfect for an afternoon coffee and cake while you watch the waves roll in, or an evening drink as the sun sets over the…
Firebird
1321 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8TL
Openly positioned on a corner of Argyle Street in an area now filled with dining choices, Firebird celebrates it tenth year in 2008 – still winning new customers with its mix of laid-back ambience, good, affordable food and friendly staff. Smokers and…
The Goat
1287 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8TL
Cosy Chesterfield sofas, free wi-fi and widescreen TVs make The Goat a popular sitting room for locals and Kelvingrove visitors who enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, a good selection of drinks and hearty meals. The food, usually served on the mezzanine…
Hectors
47–49 Deanhaugh Street,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1LR
Hectors is a real neighbourhood bar whose clientele reflects the diversity of the area. There's a mix of youthful students, thirtysomething couples and older folk enjoying a relaxing evening in vibrant, smart and welcoming surroundings. It's a difficult…
JAM
28–30 Kilmarnock Road,
Glasgow,
G41 3PQ
Shawlands is becoming a thriving hub of bars and gastro-pubs, with new ventures popping up out of nowhere on a seemingly weekly basis. While some vanish as quickly as they appear, JAM on Kilmarnock Road has hit on a winning formula that has kept…
JT Rochead
60 Trongate,
Glasgow,
G1 5EP
Walking through a busy bar into this recently reconstructed restaurant is such a contrast that it feels a little like entering a theatre set. The décor might be described as Caledonian gothic, exemplified by wallpaper with giant thistle motifs on a…
The Lansdowne Bar & Kitchen
7a Lansdowne Crescent,
Glasgow,
G20 6NQ
Situated in a Kelvinbridge basement just off Great Western Road, The Lansdowne Bar & Kitchen looks more sophisticated than the name might suggest, with floors, chairs and substantial square tables of polished wood, and a bright conservatory at the rear.
The Liquid Ship
171 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G4 9AW
With its dark wood, whitewashed brick walls and quirky array of clocks, posters and nautical paraphernalia, The Liquid Ship is a laid back location in which to drink and dine. The menu, though compact, is dominated by well-sourced ingredients and…
MacSorley's Music Bar
42 Jamaica Street,
Glasgow,
G1 4QG
With its traditional frontage and classic burgundy and dark-wood interior, MacSorley's appears to be a typical old-style boozer – but the ambient funk soundtrack and framed posters and photographs of music icons gradually betray its true role as the Sub…
Republic Bier Hof
323 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3WH
The latest from Colin Barr's Republic Bier Halle stable is a Bier Hof tucked into an atmospheric basement space at 323 Sauchiehall Street, opposite the CCA. They've over 50 biers in stock and you can sample the draught beer on Sundays for £2 a pint…
Stravaigin Café Bar
28 Gibson Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8NX
The café bar, located above the main restaurant in Gibson Street, is the most informal eatery in the popular Stravaigin stable of venues. Rustic ambience is everywhere; exposed stone walls, distressed wooden tables jammed in tight, fairy lights tangled…
The Arches Café Bar & Restaurant
253 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G2 8DL
The Arches has long held a reputation for being one of the coolest venues in the city. Its club nights are legendary, its music programme adventurous, its theatre daring and eclectic. Various events and festivals throughout the year, such as Arches…
Assembly
41 Lothian Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1HB
You can view the Potterrow and Teviot student unions from the windows of this relaxed cocktail bar, so it's no great surprise that it attracts its fair share of students. With tight budgets in mind, the food is served in large, wallet-pleasing portions…
