Glasgow checklist Grab some late Chinese, take a trip to Loch Lomond or race the subway. List writers pick their essential Glasgow experiences
WHERE TO . . . ✓. . . TAKE A WALK
It wasn’t that long ago that taking a walk ‘doon the watter’ on the banks of the Clyde could be a decidedly edgy proposition for non-winos, but the Pacific Quay development has thoroughly gentrified the old Broomielaw. Starting from Trongate and Glasgow Green, you can enjoy a traffic-free stroll past the local media palaces of BBC and STV to the new Transport Museum. (Eddie Harrison)
✓. . . HAVE A DRINK The West End half of Argyle Street is definitely on the up. For a hipster pub crawl, take in the original Lebowski’s (1008), Neighbourhood (1046), and the LuckyMe collective-affliated The Ivy (1102-1106). (Kirstin Innes)
lunch from the Cherry Heather deli (7 North Gower St) and take a wander round Bellahouston Park. If Rangers are playing at home, don’t. (KI)
✓. . . SEE A GIG
There are few venues more intimate or enjoyable than the Rio Café in Partick (27 Hyndland St). A dependable, friendly source of daytime nosh, with club-nights, poker and regular gigs taking place in the corner nook. (EH) The Captain’s Rest at 185 Great Western Road gets amazing bands, plus it’s so small it’s fairly impossible to have a bad view. (Laura Ennor)
The Barrowlands at 244 Gallowgate. Because it’s the Barrowlands, obviously. (KI)
The Black Sparrow, by virtue of its Charing Cross location at 241 North Street, is rather elusive, and easily missed. But inside there is a bountiful harvest of liquid delights at your disposal to be enjoyed in the Sparra’s resplendently furnished interior. (Ryan Drever)
✓. . . GET FOOD ON A NIGHT OUT
Rio Café Bellahouston Park
✓. . . WATCH A FILM With huge, comfy seats and an adjoining bar, there are few better, and cosier ways to enjoy a film than the Grosvenor at 24 Ashton Lane. A good selection of golden oldies with frequent showings and discounts. (RD)
✓. . . GO DANCING Probably the best sound system in Scotland combined with solid residents and an up-for-it crowd of knowledgeable clubheads make the Sub Club (22 Jamaica St) hard to beat in Glasgow. (Henry Northmore)
Philadelphia at 445 Great Western Road is usually pretty good at soaking up the booze. And their fresh pizzas aren’t swimming in grease. Or just a hop from Sauchiehall Street, Asia Style at 185 St George's Road opens late for weekend revellers. Get the soft shell crab – you’ll never forget it. (KI)
✓. . . SPEND A SUNNY AFTERNOON The slightest glimpse of sunlight sends most Glaswegians on an immediate migration northwards to the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Twenty minutes from the city centre, and you’re looking at calm water and spectacular vistas past the Queen’s View on the Balmaha/Rowardennan route. (EH)
If Rangers are playing away, catch the Subway over to Ibrox, grab a packed
✓. . . HAVE A SLAP-UP MEAL For pure class, Cafe Gandolfi at 64 Albion Street in the Merchant City can still knock the socks off shiny-floored designer eateries when it comes to fine dining. If you can get past the famously stiff revolving door, the vintage wood- panelling, Tattinger champagne by the glass and superb seafood offerings make it just the place for a celebration that won’t break the bank. (EH)
✓. . . GET YOUR KICKS Try the Glasgow Subway Challenge – getting off at Buchanan Street and racing the Clockwork Orange downhill to board the same train at St Enoch. (KI)
art loving, comedy laughing,
attraction visiting, theatre going, hill walking, scotland touring,
club dancing, beer swilling, sport crazy, film watching, music listening, hotel staying
money spenders?
We’ll target them
Arts, Entertainment,Tourism and Leisure Publicity Nationwide DIRECT DISTRIBUTION 0141 429 3838 0 1 4 1 4 4 5 8 8 3 8
24 THE LIST 1–15 Apr 2010