Bars

Image by Calum Boyd

Tucked away in a basement in the shadows of the 6 story cinema, The Flying Duck may cause problems actually trying to find. Do not give up; it is well worth the search. This underground, both literally and figuratively, pub/club offers a completely different experience to most other pubs and clubs.

Upon walking into the duck you might be mistaken into thinking you’ve just wondered into a 1950′s kitchen. The place is decked out with mismatched tables and furniture and drinks are served from kitchen bar complete with clothesline dangling crisps and nuts.

This is a great place that I like to come to with friends for an afternoon drink and quick game of Jenga and for a night out when the club opens and live DJs and light shows combine with all types of music from techno and dubstep to modern indie and alternate rock .

The bar also contains a good specialist stock of continental and local beers along with organic cider and cola.

During the day it operates as a Student Union for nearby Caledonian University and far drink promos running from Monday until Thursday. So rest assured, all the local students guarantee you will be greeted open arms.

The thing I like most about The Flying Duck is the melting pot of different types of people that I meet there. Every night I am guaranteed to leave having met a new friend or a crazy character.

The Flying Duck- its better than your house

Details about this spot (Show on map)
The Flying Duck | Bars, Music | Beer Cider £ 1.60
42 Renfield Street | City Centre | +441415641450
12:00 – late daily

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Image by Calum Boyd

On a cold Sunday evening there is nothing I enjoy more than to head over the 78 and listen to live jazz in front of the roaring coal fire. The bar is a locals favourite and is usually packed in the evening when people to meet friends and generally relax. An easygoing crowd of people are usually to be found and generally people do not take things too seriously here. Often perceived as quite a hippy place you will be unlikely to find anybody you will not get on with here.

My favourite Thursday night in town known as ‘DubnGrub’ has recently been replaced by a similar night called ‘The Dutchy Pot’ where Argonaut Soundsystem take the decks for some dub and reggae whilst the kitchen throws out really tasty and cheap vegan food. It also stocks a really good selection of artisan beers and ciders from Scotland which make for really nice drinking.

It’s a great place just to relax by yourself or to mull over the weeks goings on with a group of friends

Details about this spot (Show on map)
The 78 | Bars, Music, Relaxing | Beer £ 2.50
10-14 Kelvinhaugh Street | West End | +441415765018
Mon – Fri 12:30 – 00:00, Sat – Sun 12:00 – 00:00

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Image by Roddy Cunningham

Often when all you want is a quiet drink and maybe the company of your close friends, a real local pub is just what you are calling for. For me that local pub is The Belle, somewhere I probably spend too much time in. From the outside it is fairly unassuming and then inside the decor is nothing flashy or pretentious. What The Belle offers is something far more down to earth. With its warm colors and real working fireplace this, especially during the sub-zero winters, exactly what I want in my local pub. Always busy enough to create a vibrant atmosphere without ever seeming to over crowded, this is definitely one of my favourite spots for a drink in town.

The bar itself offers a really decent selection of continental and worldwide beers, as well as some specialist beers and excellent ciders and on tap are usual decent lagers which will not leave any real beer lover disappointed. Cheap coffee and bar snacks are also available along with free wi-fi if all you fancy is a quick surf of the net.

I am really glad to have moved just around the corner and I’m sure this will be a favourite for many years to come.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
The Belle | Bars | Beer £ 3.30
617 Great Western Road | West End | +441413392299
12:00 – 00:00 daily

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Image by Roddy Cunningham

Walking up probably the second busiest street in Glasgow you would be forgiven for just mistaking the CCA for any of the other numerous shops on Sauchiehall Street.

The Centre for Cotemporary Arts, or CCA as it is locally known, is cinema come shop come café-which serves nice affordable meals and artistically brewed coffees. Furthermore, being Glasgow, it wouldn’t be complete without the obligatory bar which itself stocks a good selection of draught and bottled beers that you can enjoy in on the new outdoor terrace.

The CCA primarily is a contemporary art gallery housing various exhibits and exhibitions all year round. These are put on by creative types from all over the globe and are always, unless I’m mistaken, free of charge. Being literally 30 seconds away from the Glasgow School of Art, expect to see a bundle of eccentric art students hanging around and expressing there opinion.

Exhibitions are generally fairly abstract, but make interesting viewing even to the untrained eye. The building is also really well designed and is worth a look, even if just for a couple of minutes.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Centre for Contemporary Arts | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea | Free
350 Sauchiehall Street | City Centre | +441413327521
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 18:00

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