Five Great Glasgow Clubs
Our recommendations for when the pub just won't do.
Feature
Over the years, Glasgow has developed a reputation as one of the UK’s
top destinations for clubbing. Techno, house, disco, electro,
dubstep, whatever your preference let Itchy recommend the venues we
know you will love.
Sub Club
Regularly ranked among the top clubs in the world, the “subbie” has been at the heart of the electronic music scene in Glasgow for around 25 years. Indeed, some of its more devoted patrons seem like they’ve been pogoing around continuously since opening night. The monthly listings read like a who’s who of the world’s cutting edge DJs and producers. It’s safe to say that David Guetta won’t be taking to its stage any time soon. If, like Itchy, you like to sweat buckets dancing to carefully-selected international acts, playing through one of the world’s finest sound systems, we suggest you pay this place a visit. Subterranean delights await.
La Cheetah Club
Despite having the name of a bargain bin perfume, La Cheetah is a welcome recent addition to Glasgow’s plethora of great spaces. The venue has quickly become popular with more discerning clubbers and has recently been spruced up. Screens have been added to display visuals, the sound system has been beefed up for added eardrum pounding, and the DJs and live acts now perform inside a strange techno orb – think Kraftwerk meets Flight of the Navigator. La Cheetah attracts some of the best underground nights in the city. In short, don’t judge a club by its silly name.
The Arches
This vast space underneath Glasgow’s Central Station, a labyrinth of passages and large arched dance floors, has been home to some of the city’s biggest club nights over the years. You’ll frequently wander round looking for your lost friends, but you’ll probably make a new one on the way in one of the venue’s merry regulars. The ambience in this grand rave cave tends to bring out the sentimental side of Glaswegian revellers. Acclaimed events such as Pressure and Death Disco regularly pack in huge crowds, so get there early to avoid the queues.
Stereo
Tucked away down Renfield Lane, Stereo is a venue with a varied clientele. The upstairs cafe bar is known for its extensive vegan options, so you will find lots of knitted jumpers chomping on baba ganoush on “meat free Mondays”. The club itself is located in the basement of the building. The space is bare but comfortable, unless you have some sort of weird allergy to massive concrete pillars. This warehouse-like appearance of the venue really adds to its charm. With the right soundtrack, and the requisite level of inebriation, you’ll swear you are raving in Manchester circa 1989.
SWG3
The SWG3 warehouse complex isn’t quite a traditional venue – which makes it an infinitely more appealing place to party. By day, the building houses creative types and is utilised to showcase the work of local artists. But, in recent years, promoters have realised that the space is also the ideal location for gigs. Glasgow’s increasingly popular Electric Frog events are held at this location, using both the building and the yard outside to create the perfect “micro festival”.
Practically hidden at the top of a series of railway arches, SWG3 is tricky to find but the walk to Yorkhill will be worth it, we swear.
Ronan Martin
Need somewhere to crash after your epic night out? Here are some Glasgow hotels that might take your fancy.
Sub Club
Regularly ranked among the top clubs in the world, the “subbie” has been at the heart of the electronic music scene in Glasgow for around 25 years. Indeed, some of its more devoted patrons seem like they’ve been pogoing around continuously since opening night. The monthly listings read like a who’s who of the world’s cutting edge DJs and producers. It’s safe to say that David Guetta won’t be taking to its stage any time soon. If, like Itchy, you like to sweat buckets dancing to carefully-selected international acts, playing through one of the world’s finest sound systems, we suggest you pay this place a visit. Subterranean delights await.
La Cheetah Club
Despite having the name of a bargain bin perfume, La Cheetah is a welcome recent addition to Glasgow’s plethora of great spaces. The venue has quickly become popular with more discerning clubbers and has recently been spruced up. Screens have been added to display visuals, the sound system has been beefed up for added eardrum pounding, and the DJs and live acts now perform inside a strange techno orb – think Kraftwerk meets Flight of the Navigator. La Cheetah attracts some of the best underground nights in the city. In short, don’t judge a club by its silly name.
The Arches
This vast space underneath Glasgow’s Central Station, a labyrinth of passages and large arched dance floors, has been home to some of the city’s biggest club nights over the years. You’ll frequently wander round looking for your lost friends, but you’ll probably make a new one on the way in one of the venue’s merry regulars. The ambience in this grand rave cave tends to bring out the sentimental side of Glaswegian revellers. Acclaimed events such as Pressure and Death Disco regularly pack in huge crowds, so get there early to avoid the queues.
Stereo
Tucked away down Renfield Lane, Stereo is a venue with a varied clientele. The upstairs cafe bar is known for its extensive vegan options, so you will find lots of knitted jumpers chomping on baba ganoush on “meat free Mondays”. The club itself is located in the basement of the building. The space is bare but comfortable, unless you have some sort of weird allergy to massive concrete pillars. This warehouse-like appearance of the venue really adds to its charm. With the right soundtrack, and the requisite level of inebriation, you’ll swear you are raving in Manchester circa 1989.
SWG3
The SWG3 warehouse complex isn’t quite a traditional venue – which makes it an infinitely more appealing place to party. By day, the building houses creative types and is utilised to showcase the work of local artists. But, in recent years, promoters have realised that the space is also the ideal location for gigs. Glasgow’s increasingly popular Electric Frog events are held at this location, using both the building and the yard outside to create the perfect “micro festival”.
Practically hidden at the top of a series of railway arches, SWG3 is tricky to find but the walk to Yorkhill will be worth it, we swear.
Ronan Martin
Need somewhere to crash after your epic night out? Here are some Glasgow hotels that might take your fancy.
