Glasgow City Guide

Adjust font size:

Check out The Scene's recommendations for Scotland's arts and music capital and send us your own suggestions and ideas below.

SEE: If Glasgow is enjoying a cultural revival then its internationally recognized art scene -- and particularly the Glasgow School of Art -- deserves much of the credit. The city has more than 20 highly acclaimed galleries to choose from: Transmission is an artist-run space that emphasizes the conceptual over the commercial and has given a start to many young talents; the Gallery of Modern Art has one of the best contemporary collections in the UK, although it's considered a little too populist for the city's avant-garde. Other highlights include the eclectic Burrell Collection, a series of galleries along King Street and well as the annual Contemporary Arts Festival in late April. Glasgow's other claim to fame is the architectural legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh -- one of the founders of the Art Nouveau movement -- whose Victorian-era buildings still dominate the city. Fittingly, the elegant School of Art is considered Mackintosh's finest piece of work. Other Mackintosh icons include the Willow Tea Rooms and the Lighthouse -- formerly the Glasgow Herald, now a center of architecture and design -- which has great views of the city. Glasgow's newest architectural addition is also worth a visit -- the Sydney Opera House-influenced Clyde Auditorium, better known as the "Armadillo." For a grittier side of Glaswegian life, head for the Barras in the East End of the city -- a rambling, chaotic weekend market that sells everything you could ever need and a whole lot more.

BE SEEN: Glasgow has some of the best -- some would say the best -- nightlife in the UK. The Sub Club on Jamaica Street is the pulse of the local music scene with a trend-leading playlist and a crowd of friendly and enthusiastic regulars that occasionally includes the likes of Primal Scream and Teenage Fanclub. King Tut's Wah Wah Hut on St. Vincent Street is the place to check out the latest bands before they break -- it's where Creation impresario Alan McGee famously discovered Oasis way back at the dawn of Britpop. Local celebs are also tipped to frequent bars such as Groucho St. Jude's on Bath Street or Corinthian's spectacular Lite Bar in the Merchant City. For a more bohemian feel head to the area around Ashton Lane in the trendy West End, self-mockingly nicknamed "Glas Vegas" by locals and home to a range of chilled bars and the Wee Pub -- a hard drinking establishment where abstinence isn't tolerated. For late night cocktails any day of the week go to Blue Dog on West George Street. Finally, for tartan kitsch, kilted bar staff and more than 100 malt whiskies to choose from, check out Uisge Beatha on Woodlands Road.

EAT: Glaswegians famously love to drink. Increasingly they find time to eat first as well. The Red Onion on West Campbell Street offers contemporary dining with an international flavor -- patrons have even been known to eat on the stairs when it's busy. Some of the best restaurants are those using local Scottish produce, such as mod-Scot restaurant Stravaigin, or the restaurant in the lavish Corinthian building. Alternatively, to splurge in splendid Victoriana try 78 St. Vincent Street. Ashton Lane has plenty of dining options to choose from, most notably the Ubiquitous Chip, regularly named one of the best restaurants in Scotland, and a champion of Scottish cuisine. It's not all native fare, of course. Curry has long been a staple of the local diet, earning Glasgow the prestigious title "Curry Capital of Britain" twice in recent years. The Wee Curry Shop on Buchcleuch Street provides the perfect foundation for a hard night's drinking.

Tools:
Save |
Print |
E-mail |
Most Popular |

Next story in Travel

Travel

Huge winter storm blasting central U.S.

A major winter storm that's sweeping across the central United States was rapidly intensifying Thursday.

Glasgow City Guide

Huge winter storm blasting central U.S.

Quick Job Search