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Glasgow's busy nightlife scene is impressive and varied. Bars and pubs often close at midnight on weekends, but nightclubs often stay open until 3 or 4 am. Traditional ceilidh (a mix of country dancing, music, and song; pronounced kay-lee) is not as popular with locals as it used to be (except at weddings), but you can still find it at many more tourist-oriented establishments.
Glasgow's pubs were once hangouts for serious drinkers who demanded few comforts. Today many of these gritty establishments have been transformed into trendy cocktail bars or cavernous spaces with video monitors, though a few traditional bars survive. Bars and pubs vary according to location; many in the City Centre cater to business types, while those in the West End and Finnieston draw in the younger crowd.
As elsewhere in Britain, electronic music—from house to techno to drum and bass—is par for the course in Glasgow's dance clubs. Much of the scene revolves around the City Centre, as a late-night walk down Sauchiehall Street on Friday or Saturday will reveal.
One of Glasgow's oldest and most iconic pubs, the wood-paneled Sloans is always lively and welcoming; it serves traditional pub food like fish-and-chips throughout the day. The upstairs ballroom is a magnificent mirrored affair, and on the floor above there's dancing and a ceilidh—traditional music and dancing—every Friday night (booking essential). The pub has a good selection of beers and spirits, and the outdoor area is always lively when the weather cooperates.
A spacious corner bar, Tennents is a typical Glaswegian pub that prides itself on its comprehensive selection of beers. You can expect lively conversation, as there's a refreshing lack of loud music.
A traditional pub still holding its own on the trendy Finnieston strip, this eccentric spot is full of Highland artifacts. There are more than 180 whiskies from which to choose and traditional live music on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
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