Glasgow Spotted by Locals

Hillhead BookClub – On the Same Page

Julia Forrest — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:46:27 +0000

Image by Julia Forrest

Hillhead Bookclub is nothing what it sounds like! A fun place to start your night with good tunes and video games, but not a book in sight! It’s located in a great location just off Byres Road in the West End. Upon entering the Bookclub if you look up you will see the remains of its former identity, an old movie theatre.

One of the quirky highlights of this bar is that they have a tremendous cocktail selection which can be served in old gramophones, great for sharing! Hillhead Bookclub also has a nice selection of vintage games consoles and a ping pong table. With the odd little doodles and mismatched charity shop furniture the whole setting is very eclectic yet maintains that cosy feel.

I regularly come here for the weekend events – most Sundays there is usually a market of some kind where you can find the local crafts and vintage clothes. Once you’re had your fill of browsing homemade clothes and accessories you can treat yourself to a home cooked dinner like steak pie or fish and chips – yum, a 1/4 of the menu is veggie friendly so nobody gets left out too. This is a great place for big breakfasts/brunches, particularly if you like to combine your lunches with booze as the bloody mary’s are top notch!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Hillhead BookClub | Bars, Coffee & tea, Shopping, Restaurants (Gastro Pub) | Evening Meal £ 15
17 Vinicombe Street,G12 8BE | West End | +441415761700
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 00:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Glasgow

Tramway – Art Sanctuary

Julia Forrest — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:12:00 +0000

Image by Andy Rogerson

Tucked away on Glasgow’s Southside, the Tramway venue is renowned as both an avant-garde art gallery and performing arts theatre. The building started out life as a tram depot in the late Victorian era. With the end of the trams in the 1960′s the building was then used as the museum of transport until 1988 when the Tramway Theatre opened its doors to the public.

There are so many interesting exhibitions to discover here, with the venue showcasing the works of new Scottish artists and commission works. The Tramway was revamped in 2001 and now it is one of the largest individual exhibition space in Europe.

The venue also fits in a community cafe serving up fresh sandwiches and coffee, and if you head through the cafe you will find the Hidden Gardens. A peaceful and tranquil outside space, designed by artists. It’s a great place for kids as well as being an inspirational horticultural art space.

Recently the Scottish Ballet moved into the derelict building next to the Tramway and with an exciting new programme of performances on the agenda, it is worth checking out the Tramway as there is always something going on.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Tramway | Art & culture, Theaters | Free
25 Albert Drive | South-East
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 19:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Glasgow

Tibo – Local Favourite

Julia Forrest — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:11:57 +0000

Image by Julia Forrest

The interior is cosy and shabbily chic, with fairy lights, huge paper lanterns, mismatched furniture, candles and flowers on each table and interesting art adorning the walls.

Tibo offers a choice from at least two different items for each course, and with reasonable prices for what portions you get I have absolutely no complaints about the food. It is plentiful, simple, wholesome and yummy. A rich chocolate tart to rival a French patisserie, savoury mushroom pasta, and a deliciously complex Shepard’s pie are some of the assorted offerings I’ve tried.

Despite some disappointments, the fairy light bohemian atmosphere always wins me back, and at £8.50 for a main and £4 for a starter/dessert, it’s hard to complain. This is a lovely chilled place to enjoy a meal out, and anyone you take here will think that you are cool.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Tibo | Restaurants (Modern) | Dinner £ 10
443 Duke Street,G31 1RY | East End | +441415502050
Sun – Wed 10:00 – 21:00, Thu – Sat 10:00 – 21:45

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Glasgow

Trans Europe Cafe – European Vibe

Julia Forrest — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:11:51 +0000

Image by Julia Forrest

This place, the Trans Europe Cafe, is a hidden treasure sandwiched amongst art galleries just on the edge of the city centre, where the ambiance draws you in and the simple well made fare will keep you coming back.

The cafe is a very interesting place for the interior alone, the walls are decorated with maps of European cities, but the roots are firmly in Glasgow with the booth seats sourced from bus seats.

The owner is really friendly and I’ve seen him talking to regulars like old friends. Trans Europe cafe is quite reasonably priced and has a great range of sandwiches taking their namesake from European cities, with fillings you would expect from the cities. I particularly like the seriously satisfying Lisbon sandwich which has great flavours of mozzarella, peppers and tangy balsamic. The cafe really has encompassed the chill of a local European hang out here. So go in with time and be ready to relax.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Trans Europe Cafe | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (European) | Lunch £ 7
25 Parnie Street, Merchant City, G1 5RJ | Merchant City | +441415527999
Sun – Wed 10:00 – 17:00, Thu – Sat 10:00 – 22:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Glasgow

The Flying Duck – It’s Better Than Your House

Roddy Cunningham — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:06:32 +0000

Image by Calum Boyd

Tucked away in a basement in the shadows of the 6 story cinema, The Flying Duck may cause problems actually trying to find. Do not give up; it is well worth the search. This underground, both literally and figuratively, pub/club offers a completely different experience to most other pubs and clubs.

Upon walking into the duck you might be mistaken into thinking you’ve just wondered into a 1950′s kitchen. The place is decked out with mismatched tables and furniture and drinks are served from kitchen bar complete with clothesline dangling crisps and nuts.

This is a great place that I like to come to with friends for an afternoon drink and quick game of Jenga and for a night out when the club opens and live DJs and light shows combine with all types of music from techno and dubstep to modern indie and alternate rock .

The bar also contains a good specialist stock of continental and local beers along with organic cider and cola.

During the day it operates as a Student Union for nearby Caledonian University and far drink promos running from Monday until Thursday. So rest assured, all the local students guarantee you will be greeted open arms.

The thing I like most about The Flying Duck is the melting pot of different types of people that I meet there. Every night I am guaranteed to leave having met a new friend or a crazy character.

The Flying Duck- its better than your house

Details about this spot (Show on map)
The Flying Duck | Bars, Music | Beer Cider £ 1.60
42 Renfield Street | City Centre | +441415641450
12:00 – late daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Glasgow

The 78 – Dub n Grub

Roddy Cunningham — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:06:27 +0000

Image by Calum Boyd

On a cold Sunday evening there is nothing I enjoy more than to head over the 78 and listen to live jazz in front of the roaring coal fire. The bar is a locals favourite and is usually packed in the evening when people to meet friends and generally relax. An easygoing crowd of people are usually to be found and generally people do not take things too seriously here. Often perceived as quite a hippy place you will be unlikely to find anybody you will not get on with here.

My favourite Thursday night in town known as ‘DubnGrub’ has recently been replaced by a similar night called ‘The Dutchy Pot’ where Argonaut Soundsystem take the decks for some dub and reggae whilst the kitchen throws out really tasty and cheap vegan food. It also stocks a really good selection of artisan beers and ciders from Scotland which make for really nice drinking.

It’s a great place just to relax by yourself or to mull over the weeks goings on with a group of friends

Details about this spot (Show on map)
The 78 | Bars, Music, Relaxing | Beer £ 2.50
10-14 Kelvinhaugh Street | West End | +441415765018
Mon – Fri 12:30 – 00:00, Sat – Sun 12:00 – 00:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Glasgow

Mitchell Library – Anything You Ever Wanted to Know

Roddy Cunningham — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:06:13 +0000

Image by Roddy Cunningham

When I need to just get away from it all and find some piece and quiet right in the middle of the city I like to go to the Mitchell Library. The Mitchell from the outside is an incredibly grand and opulent building that dates back to when Glasgow was a powerful and important ship building town.

At night the lights project upwards onto the carvings and sculptures making it feel ever so impressive. Inside is no different, with marble sculptures and figures at the end of every corridor.

I often come here if I have any type of university project to complete as its resources are endless and as of yet, there has been nothing that I have needed to find that I couldn’t find after searching and it is probably the only quiet spot in the whole city centre.

It also has great exhibitions on most of time about often about old Scottish history and culture. However, these often do cost a couple of pounds but they are usually worth the admission fee.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Mitchell Library | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
533 North Street | City Centre | +441412872999
Mon – Thu 09:00 – 20:00, Fri – Sat 09:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Glasgow

Offshore Cafe – Laid Back Coffee House

Roddy Cunningham — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:06:07 +0000

Image by Roddy Cunningham

When I have an hour or two to kill Offshore is a favourite spot for me. A simple and comfortable coffee shop located right beside The River Kelvin, Offshore is the first place to go when I want to sip a coffee and work on my laptop. It has comfy couches and big windows with cushions and is warm and light, which in winter makes it a great break from the cold. I quite like to come here with friends for a chat at lunch or in the evening, as obviously do other locals because it is always really busy.

It is a great place to go when I want free wi-fi because although there are plenty of places in Glasgow that comes with wi-fi most of them charge ridiculous fees for using them. The only thing they ask is that you buy something from them before use.

It does also make a really rice coffee, has a nice selection of cakes and sweets as well as sandwiches, soups and sometimes a stew or curry.

Downstairs there is normally an exhibition of photographs and prints, which, whenever I have been down, has been really good, and these are usually available to buy.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Offshore Cafe | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Expresso £ 1.60
3/5 Gibson Street | West End
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 22:00, Sat – Sun 09:00 – 22:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Glasgow

Pollok Park – European Best Park 2008

Roddy Cunningham — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:06:04 +0000

Image by Roddy Cunningham

When simply lounging about won’t do I’ll head over to Pollok Park on my bike. The park that won best European park 2008 has something for everybody. Whether its football, mountain biking, running or art there is always something to do.

It has numerous full sized football pitches and mountain bike trails that are all free to use and it also has the Burrell Collection- an art gallery which is definitely worth a look.

Sometimes, when I’m up in time, on a Saturday morning I take part in the 5k run that is also organised for free where up to 250 people frequently run around the marshalled track set within the grounds of the park.

Wandering around the park it is possible to see a local breed of cattle called the Highland Cow which is pretty impressive considering it is right in the middle of town.

Also a great place for a snowball fight this winter!

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Pollok Park | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
2060 Pollokshaws Road | South-West
Daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Glasgow

Two Fat Ladies – Seriously Fishy

Roddy Cunningham — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:06:00 +0000

Image by Roddy Cunningham

You may be familiar with the legendary celebrity chef double act known as the Two Fat Ladies, who were cult during the mid 90′s, and despite the death of Jennifer Patterson (the good looking one) their legend lives on. However, it is a little known fact that the legend began at the Two Fat Ladies restaurant right here in Glasgow. The restaurant itself got its name due to its street number – 88-, which is of course known as two fat ladies in bingo lingo.

The open plan kitchen and snug seating plan make use of what really is a tiny space. Quirky crockery and mismatch cutlery along with quaint antique looking china create a comfortable and intimate dining experience.

The restaurant specializes in the highest quality fresh fish and shellfish and is, by my reckoning, the best seafood restaurant in Glasgow . This in a country that can boast fantastic fish and shellfish stocks is no easy task.

The menu is 100% ethically and locally fished and is exceptionally good value for what you get. Furthermore, the lunch menu and evening set menu/pre-theatre are the same meaning dining a little bit earlier (before 18:30) is a real bargain.

Be sure to book in advance, as the chance of simply turning up and getting a table in the evening and weekends are slim, partly due to its petite size but mostly due to its reputation with locals.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Two Fat Ladies | Restaurants (Seafood) | Lunch £ 12.95
88 Dumbarton Road | West End | +441413391944
12:00 – 15:00 & 17:30 – 22:30 daily