Nice N Sleazy is an established Glasgow bar which has been around for the last 30 years. This iconic, edgy bar is a hotspot for music lovers, and several bands have performed live here before they became famous (e.g. Snow Patrol).

Best known for its White and Black Russians, Nice N Sleazy serves regular bar drinks. This is essentially in keeping with their seedy dive bar vibe, with classics such as Gin + Juice, Sours, Mexican Mules, and Rumstein.

Their menu has options for meat lovers, vegans, and people who need gluten-free food. For the meat lovers, try their delicious ‘It’s Always Sunny,’ their own version of a Philly cheesesteak, and for vegans, go for the Parmageddon chicken burger.

On the ground floor, there are some nice, cozy booths, armchairs, and even a pool table where you can challenge your friends to a game. The loser can buy the drinks!

It is fairly inexpensive, which we appreciate. Their cocktails range from £3.50 to 5.95, the food menu is from £4.50 to 10.99, and the tickets for the live bands/performances cost £10.00.

One drawback to this bar is that there is no outdoor seating, so people who prefer to dine and smoke outside are out of luck.

Also, the place can be a bit too loud, so this is not the place where you share your deepest sorrows with your friends or have a romantic conversation with a partner.

All in all, if you are looking for an authentic, dark, edgy bar in the heart of Glasgow, then Nice N Sleazy is the bar for you.

The building that once housed the offices and printing rooms of The Citizen, Glasgow’s evening paper, is now a proper bar, making it a unique and quintessential Glasgow joint.

In keeping with its somewhat solemn name, the bar’s drinks selection is very “grown-up.” It is made up mostly of curated and handcrafted drinks. 

For instance, the bar boasts a unique collection of drinks named “The Editor’s Premium Collection” which includes the finest spirits in Scotland such as the Louis XIII Cognac, Facundo Paraiso XA, and the Wild Turkey Rare Breed.

This bar and dining place is known for its scrumptious fare. We tried – and loved! – their mouth-watering highland salmon tartare, prime sirloin, and passion fruit cheesecake.

In addition, it offers vegetarian-friendly and vegan options such as the Grilled Halloumi Bowl V and the Citizen Vegan Burger.

The ambiance is very chic and upscale. The bar has a high ceiling, a long wooden bar, and lush velvet seating, definitely evoking a certain Old-World charm.

The Citizen, however, is a bit pricey compared to other bars. For instance, a 10 oz. prime sirloin steak costs £27.95 while a 25 ML Louis XIII Cognac is priced at £125.00.

That said, the quality of the service is apparently not the best, with some patrons noting that the staff members are inexperienced. A server actually informed them that their table is needed even though they were still eating, which is a no-no for us.

As a whole, The Citizen is for the fancy foodies out there who would highly enjoy sampling top rated cuisine paired with swanky drinks while seated comfortably in a stylish setting.

The Laurieston Bar is a one-of-a-kind watering hole in Glasgow, famous for its retro interior design which has never been touched since the 60s. In 2018, CAMRA named The Laurieston as the Glasgow pub of the year.

Upon entering, you would see Formica countertops, photos of patrons on the walls, lots of old paperbacks, and a jukebox which you can play for free.

Its drink selection, much like the bar itself, is very straightforward and down to earth – no bells and whistles here. For instance, one can order a Guinness, Fosters, Amstel, and Black Label.

The food and drinks are inexpensive as well, which we like. For instance, a pint of Guinness would only cost you £3.30 and a Scotch pie goes for £1.00.

Its staff is super friendly, offering to take group photos and even giving out maps for the subcrawl. A subcrawl is the local take on the traditional pub crawl, and it is located on the Glasgow Subway circuit.

That said, some people might not like the rundown exterior of the pub. Its seedy appearance can be off-putting for some, which is a shame since it is one of the most beloved bars in Glasgow.

Also, it does not offer outdoor dining, so dining al fresco is not an option.

If you want to visit a bar that has a strong sense of community and character, then this is the place for you.

West on the Green is a fantastic addition to the list. This is home to St. Mungo, the first beer brewed by WEST in honor of their German roots which won a Bronze Medal in 2019 for Best Lager at the Scottish Beer Awards.

The atmosphere of this German beer hall is very relaxed. This is a place where you can hang out with your friends or family for hours, sipping beer while chomping on sausages – and, you can even bring your dog!

When you feel up to it, you can go on a tour of the adjacent brewery to learn more about their line of top notch, handcrafted beers.

Their food and drinks are reasonably priced. For instance, for £28.00, you can buy a dozen cans of St. Mungo beer.

The food, however, leaves something to be desired. Some unflattering remarks have been made about their sausages (“weird-tasting”), salads (“wet and sloppy”), and potato cakes (“tasted like mud”).

Also, their customer service can still be improved in order to add to the overall customer experience. One customer waited for an hour for his order, and when he followed up, it turned out that his order was apparently canceled by mistake.

For a relaxed hangout with family or friends, and if you enjoy sipping award winning beers, then this bar is the choice for you.

In 2012, 2013 and 2014, Stravaigin was awarded the Michelin Guides Bib Gourmand, cementing its place in the culinary scene. 

The bar’s drink selection is surprisingly conservative, offering the usual wines (e.g. red, white, sparkling, etc.), beers (e.g. Skye Gold, Alhambra, etc.), and cocktails (e.g.  Chilli Margarita, Dark Rum Espresso Martini, etc.).

By contrast, the bar’s food menu is wildly imaginative. It uses fresh Scottish produce to create global dishes such as Singaporean Chilli Soft Shell Crab, Peanut & Cucumber Salad, and Crispy Wontons. 

The prices of their drinks are surprisingly reasonable as well.  Almost all of their cocktails (e.g. Negroni Sbagliato, Dark Rum Espresso Martini, Rhubarb Martini, etc.) are priced at £8.00 and their beers go for £3 to £5.

As for their food, £19 will give you a big plate of Tweed Valley lamb breast, with sides of fava stuffed courgette, walnut crumb, and baby carrots.

The vibe is very chic yet still relaxed. We like that it’s cozy without being too cramped, with several elegant touches here and there. For instance, you can see fairy lights woven into branches, elegant wood paneling, and a bar that has a zinc top.

However, some have had unfortunate experiences regarding the staff, describing them as surly or rude at times. One customer was actually told, “You can have this table until 1PM” which kind of soured his dining experience a bit.

The wait times are something that needs to be considered as well, since some have described the service as slow.

However, if you are an adventurous eater who likes reasonably priced cocktails, then this would be the Glasgow bar for you.