Barrowlands remains a brilliant, major venue for amazing concerts in Glasgow. Once a ballroom, it now rocks to some of the best acts on the planet.
Officially in the East End of the city, it's really a mere stone's throw from High Street and Merchant City. Many excellent bars and restaurants hang out here, all set to make your evening an even bigger success with some tasty Barrowlands Pre-Theatre.
To make sure you make the best use of your time, here are the best Merchant City spots to help you have an extra-special Barrowlands pre-theatre evening.
buzzing Barrowlands pre-theatre...
If you are looking for a real Barrowlands pre-theatre buzz, here's the low-down...
The excitement, energy and theatre vibe ring true at Tron Victorian Bar (tel: +44 (0) 141 552 8587) . Great Scottish food is served here, in one of the most funky and unusual dining spaces in the city. The bar actually is from Victorian times, and serves a fab pint. On performance nights, you could cut the wild atmosphere with a blunt knife in this Merchant City gem.
For an exciting spot in Merchant City, there's a hidden cafe under St Andrews in the Square. Close to Barrowlands Cafe Source /Browse/Restaurant/Cafe_Source(reveal best table deals?) is a lively little spot to track down. With a few tables outside, you and your mates can have a great meal and a pint or two here, getting ready to rock at your concert...
Of course, you might be on a Big Date on your evening at Barrowlands. In which case you might feel more like a quiet Barrowlands pre-theatre meal.
A meal at Arisaig /Browse/Restaurant/Arisaig_Restaurant(reveal best table deals?) in Merchant Square will fit the bill. There's a warmth and easy charm about this place. They clearly love Scottish cuisine, and add their own take on a few dishes. The results are mouth watering - and great fun.
Merchant Square's glass-canopied cobbles means diners can feel as if they're really sitting outside, at any time of year. This is a true added bonus...;-)
Close to Merchant Square is the one and only City Merchant /Browse/Restaurant/City_Merchant(reveal best table deals?) . Famous locally for its amazing Scottish fish and game dishes, it was one of the leading lights when Merchant City was restored. Still popular these days, its easy to see why, with pre-theatre (and other meals) of this high quality.
After the excitement of the concert, maybe you're in the mood to carry on the party a while longer. Great idea. Or grab a Barrowlands pre-theatre drink?
Head over to Brutti Ma Buoni (tel: +44 (0) 141 552 0001) , the top notch bar and cafe in Brunswick Hotel and catch the chilled, buzzing vibe in there.
A well stocked bar, great tunes and a laid back stylish crowd mean this is a truly HOT Merchant City place to try out. Fun times await everyone at Brutti Ma Buoni.
Maggie Mays /Browse/Restaurant/Maggie_Mays(reveal best table deals?) makes sure the fun goes on and on. Serving food that is well above standard 'pub grub' quality, those big squashy leather sofas are tempting you and your mates to take a seat, get the drinks in and discuss all the best bits of the concert... Or roll downstairs for one of their late stand-up comedy nights? Fun times indeed...;-)
Merchant City is home to a couple of classic old bars - sort of old Merchant City gentlemen, if you like [but for younger folks too!] For a seat, a great blether and a friendly welcome, you cannot beat them.
Hidden from view, and with its very own beer garden, Babbity Bowster remains a local fave among those in the know. Feeling like a rural pub, the welcome here includes a roaring fire in Winter and doors flung open to the beer garden in Summer. Perfect.
Also hidden, close to bustling Glassford Street, the shining bar and creaking wooden floor of Rab Ha's (tel: +44 (0) 141 572 0400) charm everyone who visits. Around for a very long time, this place is part of local culture. Well done for tracking down this wee gem...
Maybe you're visiting Glasgow for your concert? Have you a little free time to spare as part of your Barrowlands pre-theatre fun? A little tourism in a new city is always a good idea...
Check out the opening times and have a wander round St Andrews in the Square while you're in Merchant City. This glorious building is stunning inside, and hosts classical music recitals from time to time.
Gallery of Modern Art at the end of Ingram Street welcomes guests, totally free. Housed in one of the most impressive buildings in the whole of Glasgow, it also plays host to travelling exhibits. So you can never be sure exactly what you'll see on a visit here.
You might be lucky enough to spend the night in Glasgow, as part of your Barrowlands theatre adventure.
Radisson Hotel /Browse/Restaurant/Collage(reveal best table deals?) http://www.laterooms.com/en/p8275/hotel-reservations/84449_radisson-sas-glasgow-glasgow.aspx(reveal best room deals?) ensures that staying over in the city centre reaches new levels of designer comfort and style. Well known for its award winning designs, the service, rooms and cuisine don't come much better than here.
Artto Hotel
http://www.laterooms.com/en/p8275/hotel-reservations/85683_artto-hotel-glasgow.aspx(reveal best room deals?) hides round the corner from Radisson Hotel. Full of charm and boutique quality on busy Hope Street, this little city centre wonder is easy to miss. Perfectly placed beside Central Station, it makes an ideal place to stay.
It's true to say that Glasgow carries on as one of the most friendly cities - anywhere. It makes sure that every visitor has fun, and takes away happy memories, no matter their budget.
Merchant Lodge http://www.laterooms.com/en/p8275/hotel-reservations/149905_the-merchant-lodge-glasgow.aspx(reveal best room deals?) makes the perfect place to stay in the Merchant City on a budget. Housed in a striking restored building and hidden from view off Glassford Street, comfort and value nights are top of the list here.
Euro Hostel Glasgow http://www.laterooms.com/en/p8275/hotel-reservations/84484_euro-hostel-glasgow.aspx(reveal best room deals?) on the river Clyde works very well for the true budget traveller. Once part of the University of Strathclyde student halls, it knows how to look after the younger traveller group. Facilities provide just about everything you could need for a secure overnight stay in Glasgow. Have fun...
The concert has been and gone, and you had an amazing time you'll never forget. Why not share the fun with your friends and family - and us?
Send us your story and we'll create your very own Top Secret Glasgow pages about your Barrowlands pre-theatre dinner and drinks, live on the web. For free, naturally.
Go on... we'd love to hear from you, hearing all about the fun you've had at Barrowlands. Keep up the good work, Barrowlands lovers...
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We'll reveal top secrets that many locals don't even know about - often in the shadows of the classics.
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