Live Music Pubs in Glasgow

Babbity Bowster

16-18 Blackfriars Street, Glasgow G1 1PE

Reopened in July 2020 after an extensive refurbishment following its purchase by new owners. The furniture in the bar of this pub/hotel/restaurant is simple and practical with plain tables and free-standing chairs, augmented by wall seating. The latter repeated in the beer garden along with bench-tables. Three pumps serve Scottish beers plus a guest, usually local, sometimes from further afield. The chef prepares meals for the upstairs restaurant from Scottish produce including fish/seafood, game and other meats. The quality is reflected in the daily specials served in the bar. Acoustic sessions usually take place on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.

Dukes Bar

41 Old Dumbarton Road, Glasgow G3 8RD

Small open independent bar, there is an open mike night on Wednesdays and guest DJs at weekends. The craft beer generally comes from Williams Bros.

Ben Nevis

1147 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8TB

Corner tenement pub established around 1880 but closed for a long time before reopening in 1999. Now a small but popular bar with a highland theme having a large selection of malt whiskies, some of which appear to be precariously perched on sloping shelves. There is also a range of unusual canned and bottled beers.

Bon Accord

153 North St, Glasgow G3 7DA

One of the pioneers of the real ale scene in Glasgow, the Bon has long been known for its commitment to good beer. In 2017 it celebrated featuring 20 consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide and would have had many more years if not for a fallow period when it fell into the hands of a big brewer. As well as providing real ale the present owner is passionate about malt whisky, as well as stocking 400 varieties on the bar there is a whisky club and an online shop, ask for the list of those available. At the back of the pub there is seating area for dining as well as hosting quiz, poker and live music nights.

Clockwork Beer Co

1153-1155 Cathcart Road, Glasgow G42 9HB

Reopened in September 2020 after an extensive refurbishment. Ideally located for events at Hampden Park and with great public transport links and a car park. Busy when there are football matches or other events at nearby Hampden Park, it is also popular for watching live sport on the several screens dotted about the pub. In addition to a range of house beers from Tryst there is a selection of guest ales from local breweries and further afield. Food is served all day throughout and there is a restaurant area with table service.

Clutha Bar

169 Stockwell Street, Glasgow G1 4SP

Old, traditional Glasgow pub known as music venue with a mixture of folk and rock n'roll bands most night of the week. Sadly the pub was largely destroyed in Nov 2013 with customers being killed and seriously injured when a police helicopter crashed onto the building.

Drum & Monkey

91 St Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5TF

A corner pub, housed in a former American-style bank, with an opulent marble and wood-panelled interior and ornate ceilings. Convenient for both main railway stations and numerous bus routes, it is usually busy with a varied clientele. Family groups are welcome until 8pm when dining. The large P-shaped central bar features six handpulls offering a wide variety of different styles from local and national favourites to contemporary microbrews.

Hootenanny

40 Howard Street, Glasgow G1 4EE

Islay Inn

1256 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8TJ

Large open plan bar with an island theme. Many of the malts are on offer and there are frequent Scottish folk nights.

Kimberley Tavern

1137 Tollcross Road, Glasgow G32 8HB

Community pub.

Lebowskis

1008 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8LX

Corner tenement pub with a food menu featuring quality burgers. There is live music Thursdays and Sundays and DJs on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Hug & Pint

171 Great Western Road, Glasgow G4 9AW

Modern bar and restaurant serving Asian based vegan dishes. Frequent music events.

Lismore

206 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow G11 6UN

This one time corner tenement pub was completely transformed some time ago to have dark wood panelling, bare stonework and stained glass windows throughout and took its name from an Inner Hebridean island. There is an extensive range of malt whiskies and the cooper’s trade is celebrated on the front window panels. The Highland theme is continued into the toilets where the urinals are dedicated to some of those involved in the clearances when local landowners decided sheep were more profitable than people on the land, many of those displaced ended up nearby. There are regular folk and jazz sessions.

MacSorley's

42 Jamaica Street, Glasgow G1 4QG

Also known as McSorley's Music Bar, this city centre pubs offers live bands regularly along with other music events. It reopened in June 2019 after the previous tennant left. The exterior glass and woodwork date from c. 1900 and there is the interesting remains of a mosaic floor.

Connolly's

45 Bell Street, Glasgow G1 1NX

An Irish themed bar with modern Victorian interior and tall windows looking into the busy Merchant City. Various food offers are available as is live sports.

Zinfandel Gastro Bar

69 Nithsdale Road, Glasgow G41 2AJ

Reopened in February 2020 with 10 beers including two real ales and a large food menu that specalises in Croatian food. Live music on Saturdays.

Scotia Bar

112-114 Stockwell Street, Glasgow G1 4LW

One of several pubs which claim to be the oldest in Glasgow, it certainly looks the part with its half-timbered frontage, wood panelling, dark wooden benches and low ceilings. A firm fixture on the folk music scene for decades, the likes of Hamish Imlach and Billy Connolly performed here and there are still regular sessions and live bands. There are three distinct areas – one closer to the band, one to the bar – and a cosy snug which features a framed portrait of local First World War revolutionary John Maclean on the wall. In 2018 the kitchen was removed to enlarge the cellar and bring back real ale after a few years’ gap, so there is now no food but better beer.

Sloans

Argyll Arcade, Glasgow G2 8BG

Three floor 18th century former coffee house hidden away in the city centre. The tiled entrance off the ornate Argyll Arcade leads to a large island bar and a bistro at one end. Outside there is a courtyard which also hosts weekend markets. Up the grand mahogany staircase from the main entrance can be found a number of function rooms, a snug bar, restaurant and the original ballroom hosting films (Tuesday), quizzes (Thursday) and ceilidhs (Friday).

State Bar

148 Holland Street, Glasgow G2 4NG

Regular winner of Glasgow CAMRAs pub of the year, this is a popular and welcoming bar in the Charing Cross/Sauchiehall Street area, handy for restaurants and entertainment venues. Besides the regular beers from Oakham, there are several guests, coming from all over Britain, but often featuring Scottish breweries, including Fyne Ales and Williams Brothers. As a member of the Oakham Ales Oakademy of excellence, the infamous Green Devil is often available. Food is available at lunchtimes only and the State features blues in the public bar on a Tuesday night and comedy in the downstairs room on a Saturday.

Three Judges

141 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow G11 6PR

For nearly 30 years this traditional corner pub has brought the best new real ales to Glasgow from all over Britain. A must visit for ale enthusiasts to be pleasantly surprised by beers and breweries they’ve not heard of. Beers are available on nine handpumps, with a tenth reserved for real cider, two other ciders are served from a bag in a box. Numerous local CAMRA awards adorn the walls. No food but it may be brought in. On Sunday afternoons the regular locals make way for jazz fans.

Dram!

232 Woodlands Road, Glasgow G3 6ND

Quirky pub using re-cycled furniture and fittings arranged in four distinct areas. The main bar is in the second section up with a room leading down which is often used for functions and events. The sections leading up provide table seating for just socialising or enjoying the meals which feature slow cooked BBQ dishes. The real ales come from small breweries which are mostly based near Glasgow.

Glad Cafe

1006A Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G41 2HG

The Glad Cafe is a community cafe/venue in the southside of Glasgow, the heart of Scotland’s most ethnically diverse community. It serves a variety of keg beers and used to sell a cask ale, which is stored in the "venue" part of the building. So don't be put off if you can't see the ale at the main bar - staff will go through to the other bit to pour you a pint if available.

Loks Bar & Kitchen

16 Newlandsfield Road, Glasgow G43 2XR

A restaurant (with public bar) situated next to Pollok FC, a local Junior Football Team. It is the sister pub to the well-like Allison Arms. There is an extensive food menu and the interior has been upgraded to a high standard. Real ale was available briefly in the past but this ceased in 2015. A limited but interesting selection of Scottish and German beer is available in their fridge.

Corona Bar

1039 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G41 3YF

Formerly part of the "Butterfly and the Pig" chain but sold in 2019, reverting to its original name. Food is served all day and this is very handily placed for other Real Ale outlets in the Southside of Glasgow.

Strathduie Bar

5 Blackfriars Street, Glasgow G1 1PG

The pub offers two rooms, one a busy bar with darts to the side of the bar and comfortable seating and the other a slightly larger lounge. The manager is Polish. The pub does not sell real ale, at the moment. Tyskie in bottles is available.

Tolbooth

11 Saltmarket, Glasgow G1 5NA

Old Glasgow pub by Glasgow Cross that was once the flagship of the Strathalbyn Brewery, now an Irish theme pub

Shilling Brewing Company

92 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1PJ

Architecturally impressive pub and brewery situated in an imposing building that once formed a bank headquarters in the middle of Glasgow. Inside it is laid out in a modern style which emphasises the original features. The bar is to one side overlooked by eight new conditioning tanks with raised seating on the other side mainly for dining. To the rear is a pizza kitchen where bakers and brewers yeast are used for the dough. There is no real ale but there are around 20 keg lines and their own brews pour straight from the conditioning tanks above the bar. Their Brewers’ Room, which seats up to 8 guests, is ideal for small meetings or getting friends together over a drink or two.

Machair

372 Great Western Road, Glasgow G4 9HT

Opened in October 2016, and refurbished in April 2019, this bar specialises in "Scottish street food" and a range of cask, kegged, bottled and canned speciality beers. Most of the keg craft beers are keykeg and often feature ones from newer Glasgow breweries. Check chalkboard for current real ale on sale. The Machair is dog friendly. and has a large seating area on the pavement outside. It is handily located between Inn Deep and Wintersgills on Great Western Road and easily accessible via bus or underground.

DogHouse Merchant City (BrewDog)

99 Hutcheson Street, Glasgow G1 1SN

BrewDog's second bar in Glasgow (the first is located in the West End opposite Kelvingrove Museum) opened in October 2015 and started selling real ale from KeyKeg mid-2016. Real ale is served out of the "Live" pump, when available. The bar itself is very modern with a variety of tables, booths and long benches to sit at. Alongside the single real ale that is usually offered, there are many keg lines of BrewDog's own beer and guest beers from around the UK and the world. There is also a substantial range of bottled and canned beers and a take-away bottle shop too. Food is served throughout the day and offers up American style offerings such as burgers, ribs and smoked meats. Board games are also available free of charge and dogs are made very welcome at all times.

Innis & Gunn Beer Kitchen

44 Ashton Lane, Glasgow G12 8SJ

Pub and Brewery opened on April 14th 2017 on a busy lane with many popular venues. It is spread over 3 floors with the bar and brewery situated on the ground level. There is a restaurant upstairs and a bar in the attic with a night club atmosphere. The beer brewed on the premises is sold from tanks next to the bar. Real Ales from from Inveralmond, which is from the same company as Innis and Gunn.

Missoula

110-114 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1NF

Bar offering day time and evening meals and late club and cocktail nights. The entrance is on Renfield Street.

Town Tavern

843 Shettleston Road, Glasgow G32 7NR

Local pub.

Strathspey Bar

1106 Tollcross Road, Glasgow G32 8UN

Community pub.

Dug'n'Duck

3-7 Avenue End Road, Glasgow G33 6ND

Local pub.

Duke's Umbrella

363 Argyle Street, Glasgow G2 8LT

Gastropub opened in May 2021.

Butterfly & Pig City Centre

153 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4SQ

Cellar bar and restaurant situated below a tea room of the same name. The interior is described as shabby chic with mixed furniture and walls decorated with old music scores. Live entertainment is provided every night with bands over the weekends. To one side tables are laid out for dining.

Mono

12 Kings Court, Glasgow G1 5RB

City centre cafe bar where all the food is vegan and the range of beers is wider then the norm for Glasgow. There is often live music and the kitchen sometimes closes early to accommodate this.

Shevlanes

151 Springburn Way, Glasgow G21 1DT

Traditional bar with Karaoke and occasional live music.

Victoria Bar

159 Bridgegate, Glasgow G1 5HZ

For many years this was one of Glasgow's few real ale outlets, it has now merged into one business with the Clutha next door.

Wintersgills

226 Great Western Road, Glasgow G4 9EJ

Large local on the Great Western Road strip which aims to please a wide range of customer types. Real ale was introduced to the beer menu towards the end of 2019.

Argosy

2202 Paisley Road West, Glasgow G52 3SJ

Community bar with function suite and eight large sports TV screen.

Beechings Bar

34 Clarkston Road, Glasgow G44 3QH

Community pub featuring quizes and regular live music performances. A roof terrace opened in 2020.

Brodies

777 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G41 2AX

Craft beer bar stocking Drygate keg with an extensive food menu.

Oswald's

42 Oswald Street, Glasgow G1 4PL

Town centre bar, popular with Rangers supporters.

Winds

123 Birdgegate, Glasgow G1 5HY

Small bar.

Kitty O'Shea's

15 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 6AY

Irish pub.

Bells Bar

990 Tollcross Road, Glasgow G32 8UP

Tenement bar.

Firewater

341 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3HW

Bar with night club facilities.

Variety Bar

401 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3LG

Modern bar. Keg beers from Beavertown and Williams Bros. are available.

Park Bar

1202 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8TE

A hub for Glasgow's Gaelic community.