There are lots of things that are said to make us happy and keep us zen, from meditation and laughter yoga to stroking kittens and eating chocolate. But if you’re allergic to cats, there is another way to turn that frown upside down in January… bars. Now I’m not trying to say alcohol will cure what ails you (though it might take away the pain for a couple of hours), I am saying that there are some bars in Glasgow with rather distinctive mood boosting properties. We’re not talking fresh air and antioxidants, we’re talking samba dancing and ping pong…
Vespbar
Vespbar’s got a lot going for it in the mood boosting stakes (did someone say Prosecco, ping pong and pizza?), they’ve even renamed the worst day of the week, Happy Mondays with free food and bevvie samples. But the real key to its cheery bar status happens at 10pm every Friday and Saturday night. The 10 o’Clock Show kicks off every weekend with a band of cracking comedians ready to crack you up. With an array of joke-mongers from up-and-coming locals to established touring acts, this weekly chortlefest is guaranteed to lift your spirits.
Boteco do Brasil
Get into the rhythm and feel the heat, Boteco do Brasil is like a blast of sunshine beaming out of Merchant City in bar form. They say trying something new can make you happy, so why not head down to their Wednesday samba class, or try out some drumming at their weekly jam session? Or if music’s not your thing, I reckon some Brazilian tapas and rum cocktails will do the trick. Boteco have also got some pretty fierce fiestas coming up over the next few weeks, from Columbian dance sessions, to a carnival birthday blowout; no matter how bad the weather is, it’s always summertime in Brazil.
Mono
Mono is a slice of all things lovely; a bar-shaped hug if you will. Not only is this place run more like a community centre than a bar, but it’s got guilt-free eats in the form of fine vegan fare, endorphin-boosting tunes from its in-house record store and zen building vibes in the form of friendly folks, incredible gigs and quirky events. If you want to get away from it all in Glasgow, you don’t need to book a holiday, all you’ve got to do is wander down to Mono for cosy, cheery, chilled out loveliness.
The Glad Café
By name, by nature, The Glad Café has all sorts of feel good features. Not only is it bright, airy and friendly, but it’s also a social enterprise, which means you know your beer money is going to a good cause – affordable music lessons for the local community. Along with a tasty selection of seasonal fare, and wide offering at the bar, The Glad Café also boasts a rather extensive roster of live music, with everyone to local up-and-comers to living legends taking to the stage. Get a warm fuzzy feeling for January, by heading for a drink in the Southside gem.
Golf Lounge
Need to relieve a little post-Christmas tension? I hear ya. Why not ease your stress by whacking some golf balls in one of Glasgow’s coolest sports bars? The Golf Lounge allows you to play over 50 golf courses from all over the world, without leaving the City Centre. Along with their virtual golf booths, they’ve live sport on throughout the day, and of course, a bar. They’re even talking about setting up console tournaments. They say exercise is the ultimate mood booster, so why not ease yourself into it with a lazy round of 18?
So here’s to a 2014 of dancing like no one’s watching, laughing like no one can hear you and eh, playing virtual golf, like you’re on an actual golf course. Here’s hoping one of these Glasgow gems can bust your winter blues, and if all this fails, there’s always the £1 Skittlebomb at The Garage Sorted.
P.S. Have your say in everything from the finest cocktails to the best beer gardens in Glasgow and vote here for the 2014 DesignMyNight Bar Awards.
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