Where to Drink: Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow is a city of 600,000 people, but it feels like a neighborhood. And most of its bars feel like neighborhood bars... which I love!

The city is small and manageable, so, unlike London or Tokyo, you can walk between any of these in a matter of minutes.

Great Cocktail Bars in Glasgow

Absent Ear

A speakeasy that keeps it fun

A Vangough-themed speakeasy in a cozy basement. There's no bar to sit at, which is always a strike for me as a solo bar goer, but the staff easily overcame that by regularly making the rounds and easily reading who did and didn't want to chat. (I always want to chat. 🙋🏻‍♀️)

Their menu isn't for the easily overwhelmed—it's on an iPad, with an interactive element, and every drink has three options for a base spirit. Meaning this isn't the spot to go when you just want to order your favorite classic cocktail and catch up with a friend. The drinks are too distracting for that. Go with someone who's also up for a bit more of an experience.

That being said, my fellow whisky fans must order the Fortune Cookie Old Fashioned. I may have ordered several... for research, obviously.

I didn't need a reservation either time I went, but might be best to make one if you go during a prime time.

The Pot Still

A haven for whisky fans

Whisky lovers, look no further. The Pot Still boasts a collection of a thousand whiskies from around the world, but it's no fussy whisky lounge.

I went on a busy Saturday afternoon, where it felt more like a pub than a whisky bar. They were serving more Guinness than drams, but the staff was happy to recommend local whiskies and good at giving them efficiently despite the rush.

If you want to try some scotch while you're in town but don't want to commit to a whole tasting or distillery tour—this is a great place to do so. They have pre-built flights of local whiskies that are a great value.

The Gate

A pub that serves cocktails

I didn't know a "cocktail pub" was a thing before I came to Scotland, but it's really the only word that works for spots like That Gate. It looks and feels like a pub, and plenty of people are drinking prints, but they also have signature cocktails. Making it a great spot for groups who want both.

Their menu concept is interesting (every drink is a blend of two classic cocktails) but the execution left a little to be desired for me. They were all fine - just nothing I eagerly gulped down or was eager to reorder. Still, the hospitality from the staff and the regulars was a real treat and that's ultimately why I recommend it.

It's one of those bars I talk about on the podcast - I learned more about Glasgow and Scotland while sitting on this bar stool than I did from any museum or walking tour. (I even wrote about some of those things I learned during my visit to The Gate in a recent newsletter.)

Sebbs

For when you want more than bar snacks

Everyone recommended dinner at Sebb's, and they were right to do so.

It's a hip basement restaurant with a retro vibe. The menu is made up of shared plates (which seems to be a thing in Scotland right now) and cocktails that are just as good as the food. You'll need a reservation to get in, but you won't be disappointed once you do.

I mean... moment of appreciation for that popcorn sidebar. 👌

Daddy Marmalades

My favorite kind of cocktail bar

I can admit that sometimes I only love a bar because of where I sat or who I talked to. Daddy Marmalades is not that bar. I would've loved it even if I had sat by myself in the corner for an hour and then left... but you know I didn't do that.

I sat at the bar, where I was lucky enough to chat with the two owners as they made everyone's drinks. And it became clear that the bar is really just an extension of them: casual, cool, and unconcerned with pretense.

Their signature cocktail menu is focused on martinis and highballs but there's truly something for everyone and, of course, the usual beers, sodas, and mocktails, too.

My favorite was easily the Child of Divorce—the scotch Paloma I didn't know I wanted. (Also, it was made with Macallan and Laphroaig so bonus points for that name. IYKYK.)

I was lucky enough to grab a seat at their small bar both times I swung by, but I'd recommend making a reservation to cover your bases. They get busy!