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.
17. Slouch - 205 Bath Street
On the rare occasion I drink on Bath Street, it's in Slouch. The tunes are always great, and the folk are always friendly, what more could one ask for really. | Slouch
18. Absent Ear - Brunswick Street
Drinking in the Merchant City already makes you feel posh, imagine how much of a man about town you'll feel like drinking in the exclusive speakeasy basement cocktail bar - very boujee. | Contributed
19. Steps Bar - Glassford Street
The Steps Bar actually has a really interesting story behind its name. It's because of the couple of steps you need to climb once you come into the bar. Wow, Glaswegian social history right there for you. Apart from that it's very old, very retro, and pours a very nice pint. | Steps Bar
20. Wunderbar - 28 Springfield Court
Wunderbar appeared out of nowhere and is now everyone's favourite pub it seems. I go back and forth on it, depending on who they have up on stage it can be a really good night. | Wunderbar