Glasgow it's that time again - the time where we rank just about everything in the city definitively - today we're looking at the best pubs in the city centre ranked from best to worst by an acclaimed, beloved food & drink writer from GlasgowWorld (yours truly).
Truth be told, the one thing I know about pubs in Glasgow is that I know nothing about pubs in Glasgow. Every month I'm finding some dive in far-flung corners of the city that I'm proclaiming to be the best pub that you simply must visit. When it comes to the city centre however? I feel like I know these pubs pretty well, I commuted through here for years, I lived here for years, and now I've been working here (for years).
In that time I've drank more pints of lager, stout, whisky, shots, gins, mixers, cocktails, mocktails, and cod liver oil than I'd care to remember - but Glasgow I'll tell you that I have thought back to the very beginnings of my drinking career to share the pubs where I've had the best experiences with in Glasgow city centre.
Please remember that these personal opinions are entirely objective, infallible, and generally 100% correct - if you disagree with these rankings, I'm sorry to tell you that you're wrong. In all seriousness, you may not agree with this list at all, and that's okay - it's 2024 and we're all practicing mindfulness now.
A few things to know about me which will inform you about the ranking system: I like a live music venue as much as I like a traditional sit-down pub atmosphere. That's about it, take a look below to see my rankings of the 20 best pubs that you need to visit in Glasgow city centre, ranked from best to worst.
9. Tabac - 10 Mitchell Lane
Tabac is everything you want from a cocktail bar - it's swanky, classy, and dimly lit - also it's a down a lane, enchanté! Take someone out on a date here and pretend you're sophisticated enough to enjoy a whisky sour or french martini. It shares a name with the old off-license / hot roll shop at Hamilton Central Station - which is sadly no longer with us, as their old slogan went "Tabac leads, the rest follow". | Contributed
10. Broadcast - 427 Sauchiehall Street
Broadcast can be found on Sauchiehall Street, near the bottom on a strip of pubs that include Box and Nice N Sleazy’s - here you’ll find the coolest characters in Glasgow, if you’re not intimidated by the aloof exterior, you’ll find a great night with some of Glasgow’s latest and greatest bands either playing on stage or drinking at the bar. The atmosphere inside is also really relaxed, great for when you're slouched in a booth at 2am waiting for the night bus. | Contributed
11. Max's Bar - 73 Queen Street
A favourite of Strathclyde Uni students for generations - I still enjoy popping my head in on occasion. Nights at La Cheetah downstairs are also some of the best club nights I've ever experienced in Glasgow hands down. They've also launched a new Mexican menu if that's your bag | Max's Bar
12. Solid Rock Café - 19 Hope Street
Solid Rock Café near Glasgow Central is Glasgow’s ‘oldest rock bar’ according to the Solid Rock staff. It gives off a real biker bar vibe with a bit of goth sprinkled in. I used to love coming in here after work dressed in office attire amidst all the grizzly old guys dressed in denim cut-off vests and wrap-around sunglasses. Incredibly friendly staff and punters, despite all appearances. | Solid Rock Cafe