Things to do in Glasgow when it is your first time there

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As far as I know there must be quite a lot of experts in Glasgow-related issues out "here". What are the places you enjoy the best about the city? Or beyond bars/galleries/shops/parks: what are the things you enjoy the best about living/visiting often there?

probably redundant question: is it very cold right now? (I am flying tomorrow and will stay there till Monday afternoon)

― Arantxa, Thursday, 3 October 2002 06:57 (twenty-three years ago)

1) Find a place to stay

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Thursday, 3 October 2002 07:08 (twenty-three years ago)

That is already sorted out.

― arantxa, Thursday, 3 October 2002 07:11 (twenty-three years ago)

2) Drink with those people

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Thursday, 3 October 2002 07:15 (twenty-three years ago)

you did said "my" first time there

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Thursday, 3 October 2002 07:17 (twenty-three years ago)

The people, we're all lovely....honest...
Depends where you are staying and what you like, there's millions of bars and galleries and shopping but if you gimme the gist of your tastes I'll try to point you in the right direction.

― Plinky (Plinky), Thursday, 3 October 2002 07:40 (twenty-three years ago)

PS It's pissing down with rain today but it's been quite mild for this time of year.

― Plinky (Plinky), Thursday, 3 October 2002 07:41 (twenty-three years ago)

3 suggestions:
http://visitors.seeglasgow.com/commonstyle/images/Kelvingrove3.jpg
Kelvingrove Museam
http://www.headstones.fsnet.co.uk/gnecrop1.jpg The Necropolis

http://www.nts.org.uk/tenement.html (how they used to live)

― stevo (stevo), Thursday, 3 October 2002 08:37 (twenty-three years ago)

The Barra's. It's cheap, it's dirty, it's full off knock off merchandise and pick pockets but it's a must see. It's an insight into how the, um, less wealthy Glaswegians live and the patter is worth going for alone (ohmygod I've turned into a Chewin' the Fat sketch).

― Plinky (Plinky), Thursday, 3 October 2002 08:57 (twenty-three years ago)

skag.

not really. i've been to glasgow, it's ace. the 13th note (let me just try this stuff out... *ahem*) roXors. but one part of it has closed, the venuey type bit. and nice & sleazy's is good. and it looks great to skate. but i've never taken my board when i've been. duh.

― g-kit (g-kit), Thursday, 3 October 2002 09:01 (twenty-three years ago)

Have a deep-fried Mars Bar.

― Andrew L (Andrew L), Thursday, 3 October 2002 09:01 (twenty-three years ago)

The Barras would make a nice start to Sunday morning (look out for the secondhand porno mag stall) followed by a leisurely stroll to the People's Palace for tea and cake. Then you can walk along the river until you come to the monument to the brave Glaswegians who gave their lives in the Spanish Civil War (not that it's very spectacular). The cathedral and the necropolis are worth a look too, while you're in the area.

Long, long time since I've been there.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Thursday, 3 October 2002 09:09 (twenty-three years ago)

Hang out with nice people

― Mooro (Mooro), Thursday, 3 October 2002 09:11 (twenty-three years ago)

''Have a deep-fried Mars Bar.''

that's the one thing I'd avoid at all costs actually!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Thursday, 3 October 2002 09:13 (twenty-three years ago)

ha ha ha. I'd forgotten about the second hand porn mag stall. It's so long since I've been to the Barra's (though I was at a gig at the Barrowlands ballroom on Tuesday). Strangely I never actually saw anyone even looking at the mags but certainly it always looked like they had an impressive range.

― mms (mms), Thursday, 3 October 2002 09:20 (twenty-three years ago)

You should also do the Rennie Mackintosh rounds if you can (esp. Willow Tea Rooms on Sauchiehall Street). The abandoned shell of the Greek Thomson Kirk in what used to be the Gorbals remains an awesome sight, and the Citizens' Theatre is always worth a visit.

What do I enjoy about it? Hah, going back up to stay with my mum, listening to my dad's jazz/improv vinyl, playing the piano, and getting unashamedly pampered for a week or two ;-)

― Marcello Carlin, Thursday, 3 October 2002 09:22 (twenty-three years ago)

I was at the Barra's for the first time in years last weekend (just bought a new house and I'm looking for some interesting 2nd hand furniture, I laff in the face of Ikea). I took my boyf and he was totally bemused, he loved it though says it's like a different world. We didn't have deep fried mars bars but we did have deep fried donuts, yum

― Plinky (Plinky), Thursday, 3 October 2002 09:24 (twenty-three years ago)

I can't believe nobody has mentioned the Saracen's Head. Surely an essential stop while you are in the Barras?

― Jerry the Nipper (Jerrynipper), Thursday, 3 October 2002 09:32 (twenty-three years ago)

Erm, kinda depends what foot you kick with....

― Plinky (Plinky), Thursday, 3 October 2002 09:35 (twenty-three years ago)

You know those kind of star-shaped things that ninjas chuck at people and they stick in their heads? You can get those at the Barras as well, and knuckle dusters and stuff. Even as I type this I am finding it hard to believe. Have I dreamt it?

Saracen's Head would be nice for a lunchtime pint, I suppose.

― PJ Miller (PJ Miller), Thursday, 3 October 2002 09:46 (twenty-three years ago)

I haven't done any of these things yet.

― N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 3 October 2002 11:24 (twenty-three years ago)

Drink - theres tons of pubs

― Madam Plinky (Madam Plinky), Thursday, 3 October 2002 11:31 (twenty-three years ago)

Call your loved ones and let them know you got there ok.

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 3 October 2002 11:36 (twenty-three years ago)

Did you do that yet N?

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 3 October 2002 11:39 (twenty-three years ago)

I'm not sure who I am.

― N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 3 October 2002 13:01 (twenty-three years ago)

You're taliban.

― Nicole (Nicole), Thursday, 3 October 2002 13:03 (twenty-three years ago)

Oh yes.

― N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 3 October 2002 13:05 (twenty-three years ago)

Or you could go for a curry, preferrably not the Creme de la creme buffet at night though!

― Madam Plinky (Madam Plinky), Thursday, 3 October 2002 14:19 (twenty-three years ago)

As long as you don't go for a Currie.

― Nicole (Nicole), Thursday, 3 October 2002 14:21 (twenty-three years ago)

that would be a Major mistake.

― MarkH (MarkH), Thursday, 3 October 2002 14:24 (twenty-three years ago)

The Mackintosh art school is the top priority, I'd say.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Thursday, 3 October 2002 20:24 (twenty-three years ago)

ARGH. *with reference to the references just above*

It's been ten years since I was there for a long time in the city proper. I rather liked it. :-) Might be fun to return sometime soon -- was there very briefly last year.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 3 October 2002 20:27 (twenty-three years ago)

make sure you go to the Scotia pool hall, what a place!!

― chris (chris), Friday, 4 October 2002 09:41 (twenty-three years ago)

If anyone is trying to contact me about the Arantxa roadshow (unlikely) they will not be able to do so via mobile phone as I have left it at home. Not on purpose.

― N. (nickdastoor), Friday, 4 October 2002 11:41 (twenty-three years ago)

one year passes...

TRIBECA, Dumbarton Road!

― athos magnani (Cozen), Wednesday, 12 November 2003 12:30 (twenty-one years ago)

two months pass...

I live in Glasgow and believe me its crap and the talk bout the barras is crap 2 its dump where drug dealers try 2 get your money!!!!!

― Lorraine, Thursday, 22 January 2004 10:19 (twenty-one years ago)

what a timely revival.

― RJG (RJG), Thursday, 22 January 2004 10:22 (twenty-one years ago)

ha ha RJG!!

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Thursday, 22 January 2004 10:30 (twenty-one years ago)

I like Glasgow. I like the Barras. Sauchiehall St. on a Friday night is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. What I've seen of the clubs (Melting Pot and Death Disco) are pretty good. The architecture, record shops and people are better than they are in Edinburgh (where I stay).

The art galleries are shite though.

(x-post)

― hmmm, Thursday, 22 January 2004 10:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Enter stage left joke about policeman arresting a Ned on Sauchiehall Street.

― Dave B (daveb), Thursday, 22 January 2004 10:43 (twenty-one years ago)

get yourself a "Discovery ticket" and go on the tiny little underground trains!

"wee" underground trains, even.

go to a fish and chips shop and ask for a "fish supper"! or "chicken supper" or "haggis supper", or just chips with vinegar (which isn't called a vinegar supper)!

and try and pronounce St. Enoch.

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 22 January 2004 11:11 (twenty-one years ago)

or just spend you time patronising people

― hmmm, Thursday, 22 January 2004 11:17 (twenty-one years ago)

or learning to spell 'your' correctly.

― hmmmm, Thursday, 22 January 2004 11:21 (twenty-one years ago)

1) Go to Byer's Road for Fopp and a nice big Oxfam bookshop.
2) Go to Slater's. It's the largest menswear store in the world and seems to be entirely staffed by the 'suits you' blokes from the Fast Show. They sell you suits and shoes, and then they send you down to the girls, who will pick out your shirts and ties for you (because girls know about colour).
3) Try the Uisge Beatha. It's a lovely pub and you will feel most welcome there, no matter what foot you kick with.
4) You could try the Louden Arms (as featured on the Toughest Pubs in Britain) if you are mental.
5) Nick the glasses off the Donald Dewar statue on Buchanan St. Everyone else does it. You'll fit right in.

― accentmonkey (accentmonkey), Thursday, 22 January 2004 12:38 (twenty-one years ago)

Wear a kilt made out of an american flag and walk around eating KFC while asking "Where do you do the Trainspotting, you fuckin cunts, huh huh huh!" When you call people 'mate', do it with an australian accent.

― Go Go Gadget Goatse!, Thursday, 22 January 2004 12:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Other hidden fun:

Tchai Ovna House of Tea on Otago St.

Sharmanka kinetic sculptures (which I still haven't visited, but comes highly recommended by those who have).

― N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 22 January 2004 16:18 (twenty-one years ago)

They have a very impressive "clock" sculpture in the National Museum. It's not switched on as much as it used to be, though, because the museum was apparently worried it would wear itself out.

― caitlin (caitlin), Thursday, 22 January 2004 16:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Glasgow sucks. Where in Glasgow you lot from? Go to the Cathouse and laugh at some goths or hang out in the indie floor of the Garage and watch all the self conscious indie kids sit and stare at the dance floor while "How Soon is Now?" plays. Apart from that, get a train to Edinburgh - much nicer.

― C-Man (C-Man), Thursday, 22 January 2004 16:22 (twenty-one years ago)

i recommend crashing a wedding reception at the radisson.

― lauren (laurenp), Thursday, 22 January 2004 17:30 (twenty-one years ago)

I went to the Lighthouse and it was cool! They have a place where you can sketch your own version of the new bridge over the Clyde and clip it to a string for everyone else to see, but they'd run out of little clips so I put mine right over someone else's which was rubbish, it looked like a kid drew it.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Thursday, 22 January 2004 17:30 (twenty-one years ago)

i agree with C-Man

― jed_ (jed), Thursday, 22 January 2004 18:10 (twenty-one years ago)

I have never gone to the Cathouse and laughed at some goths or hung out in the indie floor of the Garage and watched all the self conscious indie kids sit and stare at the dance floor while "How Soon is Now?" plays. Am I missing out?

― N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 22 January 2004 18:12 (twenty-one years ago)

guess.

― RJG (RJG), Thursday, 22 January 2004 18:15 (twenty-one years ago)

The more See You Next Tuesday-man puts down Glasgow, the more interesting it sounds.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Thursday, 22 January 2004 18:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Both times I've been to Glasgow I thought it was great!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 22 January 2004 21:42 (twenty-one years ago)

My sister lives in Glasgow, and every time I've been up to visit her, I've had a great time.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Thursday, 22 January 2004 21:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Don't try to organise any FAPping action. You'll fail.

― ailsa (ailsa), Thursday, 22 January 2004 22:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Why? (I did think about it last time, but guess why I didn't, ahem)

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Thursday, 22 January 2004 22:27 (twenty-one years ago)

we've had faps.

― cozen (Cozen), Thursday, 22 January 2004 22:46 (twenty-one years ago)

i met the pinefox.

stretching the definition of fap here.

― cozen (Cozen), Thursday, 22 January 2004 22:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe it was a fop.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Thursday, 22 January 2004 22:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Pinefop hooray.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 22 January 2004 22:50 (twenty-one years ago)

Certainly if Ned comes to Glasgow again, I will drive up.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Thursday, 22 January 2004 23:07 (twenty-one years ago)

:-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 22 January 2004 23:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Glasgow? Never been there, alas. But I've heard that the Monorail record shop is one cool place...

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Friday, 23 January 2004 00:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Go and watch Celtic. Or Partick Thistle. (or rangers if you must). Mr ailsa recommends you go and watch Clyde, but you'd be better watching the Clyde.

― ailsa (ailsa), Friday, 23 January 2004 18:14 (twenty-one years ago)

two months pass...

Forget Edinburgh which C-Man seems to think is a great place. They are scum from a dirty clapped out city, where traffic is awful, and you stand a good chance of catching AIDS/Hep B or some other disease from and Edinburgh bar girl or get chibbed by someone from Gilmerton or Leith. Edinburgh is an over-rated dump full of pretentious drug addicts and Hibs supporting scum. Go see the castle by all means but if you go to the Tatoo get out of the place before dark and stick witht he crowd as far as Waverley - it's a pigsty and dangerous after dark.

― Chunky, Saturday, 10 April 2004 13:12 (twenty-one years ago)

parochial

― Ronan (Ronan), Saturday, 10 April 2004 13:13 (twenty-one years ago)

Chunky, have you actually been to Edinburgh, or have you just read Trainspotting?

― ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 10 April 2004 13:18 (twenty-one years ago)

The new sports bar, on Sauchiehall Street?

― the bluefox, Saturday, 10 April 2004 15:29 (twenty-one years ago)

It's a must.

― N. (nickdastoor), Saturday, 10 April 2004 15:41 (twenty-one years ago)

I didn't know it was open, already.

― RJG (RJG), Saturday, 10 April 2004 16:02 (twenty-one years ago)

I just found this out: an over-abundance of pistachio nut shells makes your can of beer foam.

― cozen (Cozen), Saturday, 10 April 2004 16:08 (twenty-one years ago)

you could do that?

― cozen (Cozen), Saturday, 10 April 2004 16:11 (twenty-one years ago)

Are you sending me some, pistachios?

― the nutfox, Saturday, 10 April 2004 16:53 (twenty-one years ago)

three years pass...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44639544@N00/1576610770/

― cedar, Friday, 28 December 2007 15:27 (seventeen years ago)

I'd say "go to John Smiths" - that was #1 on my agenda the first time I was in Glasgow - but it's long closed and replaced with a Starbucks. So replace "John Smiths" with "Monorail" for your #1.

― mike a, Friday, 28 December 2007 15:43 (seventeen years ago)

Come to think of it, many of the things I liked about Glasgow in the '90s are gone now - 13th Note Cafe, John Smiths, Grovesnor Cafe. Perhaps I should go again soon.

You shouldn't skip Edinburgh - it's only an hour away by train and definitely worth a day trip - but honestly, I had more fun in Glasgow as a tourist.

― mike a, Friday, 28 December 2007 15:47 (seventeen years ago)

the easyinternet cafe on St. Vincent Street

― ken c, Friday, 28 December 2007 17:27 (seventeen years ago)

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