The 10 best pubs in Glasgow

From its bunker-like structure to the font on its signage, The Laurieston is precisely the kind of place that looked modern in the 1960s; and here’s hoping that this cult institution, regularly ranked among Glasgow’s best pubs, never changes. Not far from the Sub Club or the O2 Academy, the venue’s crowd is much more diverse in age than you might guess. The same goes for the beer: alongside your basic lagers and stouts, you’ll get the likes of Fyne Ales from Argyll and Jaw Brew ales from Renfrewshire. Plus, a convivial atmosphere and stylistic time travel thrown in for free.

Address: 58 Bridge Street, G5 9HU, Glasgow

Opening hours: Monday to Tursday, from 11am-11pm; Friday to Saturday, from 11am-midnight; and Sunday, from 12.30pm-11pm

The Rose Reilly is a perfect Southside pub. For years, it was The Hampden, serving a mix of locals and fans on their way to matches at Scotland’s national football stadium, which is just 20 minutes away. Reopened in 2022, it’s named after Rose Reilly, a Scottish football player who, in 1984, won the World Cup with her adopted country, Italy. A crowd of long-time locals and Govanhill’s younger queer community happily rub shoulders in the handsomely revamped, wood-pannelled space. Bonus points for being one of the few Glasgow pubs to sell beloved Irish crisps Taytos. 

Address: 58 Albert Road, G42 8DN, Glasgow 

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, and Sunday, from noon-midnight; and Saturday, from 11am-midnight

The Doublet prides itself on being a rock of friendly tradition in the West End’s ever-shifting pub scene. It’s one of the last of the traditional West End boozers, a sadly dying breed. Describing itself as a ‘pub for conversation’, it has a faithful clientele of all ages from students to silver-haired gents. Generally speaking, you’ll find most of the former in the upstairs lounge and the latter downstairs in the main bar but, as the night winds on, the two crowds tend to merge, with interesting results. A few doors down, you’ll find the Shish Mahal, a local institution which claims to be the birthplace of chicken tikka masala and an excellent place to line your stomach before a session in The Doublet. 

Address: 74 Park Road, G4 9JF, Glasgow

Opening hours: Monday to Tuesday, from 4pm-midnight; Wednesday to Saturday, from noon-midnight; and Sunday, from 12.30pm-midnight

Redmond’s claims to be Glasgow’s first vinyl bar and serves more than 40 German and Belgian beers, as well as more than 100 craft beers. For traditionalists, this might be an immediate turn off, but this is a pub with real heart, where the service is warm and unpretentious and the crowd is just as excited about Sunday afternoon trad sessions as it is about catching intimate sets from some of Glasgow’s up-and-coming DJ talents. To experience the full gamut of Glasgow beer culture, start your afternoon at the Tennents factory, where knowledgeable guides take you through the history of Scotland’s most iconic lager, before walking the short distance to Redmond’s and sampling some indie sips.

Address: 304 Duke Street, G31 1RZ, Glasgow 

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, from 4pm-midnight; Friday, from 2pm-midnight; Saturday to Sunday, from noon-midnight

Right opposite legendary music venue Barrowland Ballroom, there’s been a pub on this site for over 200 years. The Gate describes itself as ‘modern Scottish’ and has everything from high-quality craft beers and an expanding selection of gin to more than 160 whiskies and unbelievably good toasties. The Gate also regularly hosts kitchen takeovers featuring some of the best chefs around Scotland, so it’s well worth keeping an eye out for news of the latest foodie delights.

Address: 251 Gallowgate, G4 0TP, Glasgow

Opening hours: Wednesday to Friday, from 4pm-midnight; and Saturday to Sunday, from 2pm-midnight; closed Monday and Tuesday 

Specialising in the finest malt whisky around, The Pot Still has been open as a bar since 1886, when it was called McCalls. In 2011, it was bought buy the Murphy family who remain at the helm today. Pop in for a dram (or more) of one of their 1000 bottles of whisky, including options from Scotland, Wales, Sweden, India and Japan. They also have regularly rotating guest ales on hand pull and in bottles, hard-to-find German Weisse, Dunkel and bocks, and hearty pub classics like pies and haggis.

Address: 154 Hope Street, G2 2TH, Glasgow 

Opening hours: Open daily, from 11am-midnight

Named after a small Hebridean island, this self-styled ‘Highland pub in the middle of Glasgow’ resists the trend of gentrification in West End watering holes by keeping it old-school: good beer and whisky, good atmosphere and a little traditional music. Opened in 1996, well before Partick Cross started to experience a resurgence following its post-shipbuilding industry slump, The Lismore has built up a mixed and faithful clientele – from students enjoying better-than-average prices to hardy silver-haired drinkers getting in a cheeky hauf an’ a hauf (a whisky with a half-pint of beer chaser).

Address: 206 Dumbarton Road, G11 6UN, Glasgow 

Opening hours: Open daily, from 11am-midnight

Òran Mór has it all: pub-restaurant, brasserie, music venue, theatre, nightclub – there seems to be no containing this hugely successful venue. It’s one of the few places in the West End with a proper late licence – until 2am Monday to Wednesday and 3am Thursday to Sunday – and so it can get especially busy after midnight. The Whisky Bar is the main boozer, where you’ll find a good range of beers and spirits, as well as a menu of hearty pub-grub classics.

Address: Byres Road, G12 8QX, Glasgow 

Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday, from 11am-2am; and Thursday to Sunday, from 11am-3am

This is one of the West End’s cosiest wee pubs. Once a spit-and-sawdust boozer called The Western, The Belle now attracts a mixed clientele that includes suits, fashionistas, students (admittedly closer to the postgraduate end of the spectrum) and dogs (there always seems to be at least one dog in here). When the weather’s on your side, sit on the pavement benches for a good dose of people watching or, in the colder months, seek refuge by the open fire.

Address: 617 Great Western Road, G12 8HX, Glasgow 

Opening hours: Open daily, from noon to midnight. 

Open since 1884, The Allison Arms – or the Ally, as it is affectionately known – could easily be mistaken for the sort of roughspun pub nobody below retirement age ever frequents. But in truth it’s a much-loved neighbourhood haunt for people of all ages, the U-shaped bar making for a sociable atmosphere. There are around 100 independent distillery gins to work through and fridges full of craft and German beers. Whether for a quick pint after a walk in Queen’s Park (dogs always welcome) or pre-show drinks before heading round to the nearby Tramway or across to The Rum Shack, the Ally’s always worth a visit.

Address: 720 Pollokshaws Road, G41 2AD, Glasgow 

Opening hours: Open daily, from 11am-midnight