The Best Traditional Scottish Pubs You Need to Visit Right Now

What makes your favourite pub stand out from the crowd? In Glasgow you’ll find many different types of the watering hole, from elegant cocktail bars to grungy dive bars, we have something to suit all tastes. But what makes a pub ‘traditionally Scottish’? For us, it’s a combination of old-fashioned furnishings, comfortable seating, friendly staff and a whole host of beers, ales, spirits and good old fashioned Scottish whisky. Here are some of our favourite authentic Scottish pubs to enjoy a wee dram.

The Pot Still – 5-minute walk

Take a short stroll from PREMIER SUITES aparthotel in Glasgow and you’ll find The Pot Still, a family-run pub established in 1867. There is a reason this excellent bar has won numerous awards and is No.1 on TripAdvisor for traditional pubs in Glasgow. They have over 700 whiskies, a huge selection of cask ales and the expert staff pride themselves on finding every customer their perfect dram. To accompany the impressive drinks selection, proudly displayed from floor to ceiling behind the bar, you can also enjoy a delicious homemade pie, made with local ingredients and served piping hot. The Pot Still is a must-visit for whisky and beer fans alike.

The Horseshoe Bar – 5-minute walk

One of the more architecturally impressive of our traditional Scottish pubs, The Horseshoe Bar is an impressive 104-feet and three inches long, reportedly the longest pub in Europe. As the name suggests, it is a horseshoe-shaped Victorian-era bar where you’ll find an excellent selection of Scottish and international beers, four well-kept cask ales and a very impressive traditional food offering. The pub is also famous for its karaoke nights in the upstairs lounge, ideal for the aspiring singers among you. You’ll find this lovely pub down a wee lane next to the central station, a short walk from George Square.

Sloans – 5-minute walk

If you need a break from shopping and want to check out one of the most luxurious and decadent of Glasgow’s pubs, head to Sloan’s tucked away behind two of the city’s busiest shopping streets – Argyle St and Buchanan St. Established in 1797 as a coffeehouse, Sloan’s is set over three floors, and many of the many original features remain in the Grade-A listed building. Some of the most impressive of these include the tiled entranceway, the grand mahogany staircase and the grand ballroom, complete with vaulted ceiling, marble fireplace and stained glass windows. It is truly a gem in the crown of Glasgow’s traditional pub scene.

The Clutha Vaults – 10- minute walk

The Clutha Vaults is a Glasgow institution. The bar itself has been here for over 200-years with many famous fans of The Clutha immortalised in a massive mural on the side of the pub, including Billy Connolly, Jimmy Reid, Spike Milligan, Frank Zappa, Alex Harvey and John Martyn. In 2013 the pub was the site of a tragic accident, a police helicopter crashed into the building and killed 10 people. Shortly after, the pub reopened with a renewed life and is now one of the most highly rated live music venues. It is renowned for its history of radical politics, entertainment every night and a great pint!

The Bon Accord – 15-minute walk

If you’re looking for choice, Bon Accord has you covered. With around 900 different beers and 400+ malt whiskies for sale, you could drink a different drink for over three years without repetition! The award-winning bar was deservedly voted the UK’s Best Whisky Bar 2014 and was the CAMRA Bar of the Year for Glasgow seven times. The interior is traditional with an antique wooden bar, adorned and surrounded by hundreds of glass bottles. Always wanting to do better, the bar also hosts cellar tours and three different beer festivals throughout the year!

After an enjoyable day of sampling the best Scottish drinks in some of Glasgow’s traditional pubs, you’ll need a comfortable bed to sleep it off. With flexibility and comfort unrivalled by a traditional hotel stay, PREMIER SUITES aparthotel in Glasgow offer great value, luxury and a very central location on George Square so you won’t have far to stumble home! For exclusive access to our special offers, make sure you book through our official website.

Author Bio:

With great passion and dedication to pursue her dreams, Kath McGarr now works on producing and writing contents for PREMIER SUITES Glasgow George Square. A break from writing means travelling with her family, taking care of her furbabies, exploring photography, and gracing the dance floor with her majestic and oozing presence.