It seems rather fitting for the end of the year, that my weekly nightlife post would be something of a Year In Review. Hey, if it’s good enough for Time, The Guardian and eh, Facebook, then it’s good enough for us!
2013’s been something of an epic year for Glasgow nightlife, after all, *excuse the shameless plug* but DesignMyNight extended its operations to Scotland, launching the Glasgow site back in May. (Which included bringing my London-based boss on a three day pub crawl in the city!) But it’s also been a year that’s seen some cracking new venues open up and bring more drinking, eating and general being merry to the city.
Perhaps the biggest trend of the year has been all things meaty. New openings like Meat Bar, Burger Meats Bun, Buddy’s Diner, Skinny’s, Jacker De Viande and Bread Meats Bread have all opened around the city offering ribs, burgers, wings, pulled pork and even carnivorous cocktails to the masses.
Another trend this year, was the rise of West Regent Street. The City Centre thoroughfare has been rediscovered of late as along with the aforementioned Meat Bar and Burger Meats Bun, slick party bar Kokomo established a den of chic late night partying, along with recent addition, Cova which offers great after work promos.
The Maclay Inns group were busy this year, adding two new craft beer gastro pub additions to Glasgow’s drinking scene, with The Hope and Munro’s, and the G1 group brought The Shimmy Club into the Merchant City mix – somewhat controversially of course. Beloved Bath Street bar The Butterfly and Pig also ventured West to a second location. Stirling stalwart Katie’s Bar opened a John Street basement bar offering something a little different to Glasgow’s gay community, and the folks behind Lebowski’s in Finnieston branched out to the young ‘uns with Little Urban Achiever’s Club (LUAC to you and me) a cool wee brother bar with hot dogs and cocktails.
An old friend returned to town as The Bar and The Fly reopened, bringing a cool new look to the infamous music venue, while the rock vibes were continued with both Rockus in Finnieston and the stunning Hard Rock Café on Buchanan Street.
The Steampunk Café was a quirky new addition with speakeasy vibes, and Faktory opened with a bang, offering a little bit of everything on Byres Road from sports to student nights. Other Byres Road openings included stylish boutique bistro bar, The Hill, and Deep South jazzy gem, Bar Gumbo. And continuing with the foodie finds, The Gannet has been a cracker of an addition among the palates of many a Weegie.
So 2013 has been an exciting one for Glasgow’s bar scene, while there have been a few sad closures – and of course, the tragedy in The Clutha just a few weeks ago - the future is bright and with the Commonwealth Games next year, there’s not a better place to set up shop. If you haven’t been to any of these cracking new bars, make it your new year’s resolution to send some business their way and try a few out.
And keep your eyes peeled for some hot new additions in 2014, a City Centre blues kitchen, an upmarket house party, and a Southside shooter bar – lots of exciting times ahead! Happy Hogmanay folks, Merry New Year, have a great one , and I’ll see you on the other side.
P.S. If you’re bored this week, and simply can’t wait ‘til Hogmanay to party, check out our guide to the week we’re calling Crimbo Limbo, for some ideas to get you out of your turkey stupor.
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