HWFG: A Beginner's Guide to Clubbing in Glasgow

Starting strong in the City Centre, on the infamous ‘Four Corners', we have Sub Club. There is no doubt Sub Club has an immeasurable cultural legacy. Recently there have been whispers that the venue may be a bit tired – perhaps due to having the same residents for over 30 years, failing to promote new and exciting DJs? However, there are flickers of new life within the historic club. Nights like Glasgow's legendary Numbers parties have recently returned to the club. Glasgow’s answer to Berlin Techno, Animal Farm, is increasingly appearing as well. Sensu, when it’s on, is a fun night. Sub Club has body-sonic speakers, ones you can quite literally feel vibrate throughout your body. Good music is guaranteed, a fun introduction to Glasgow.

Bonjour, the queer run co-op, hosts legends and great parties. You can often see up and coming DJs like Miss Cabbage’s PHAT and hairstyling experts Ponyboy hosting incredible parties. Tucked away next to Saltmarket, near the Barras, this is an amazing club/bar, a sacred space for LGBTQ+ visitors to the city. 

Max’s Bar’s sweaty basement nightclub La Cheetah is home to some of the most exciting and forward-thinking nights. La Cheetah’s involvement in the local scene has led to the first gigs of some of the best DJs in the city. Notable nights like Eutony, A.D.S.R, Missing Persons Club are techno favourites. For something downtempo and experimental try Lezure and Partial. La Cheetah Presents often invites some of the biggest names in electronic music and is worth enquiring about.

La Cheetah’s sister club Room 2 invites an ambient dark night with a lot of space. Nights are considerably less common here than La Cheetah, but boast a great clubbing experience. The club has recently undergone a refurbishment, including a larger stage, and reconfiguration of the LED screen.

Up near Glasgow’s Central Station on the enclosed Renfield Lane, you’ll find Stereo cafe and bar – by day a vegan restaurant and gig venue, by night a huge space for clubbing. If you are in the mood for experimental genres, queer nights, and making friends, this is the place for you. Notable nights include Erosion, Fast Muzik, Hawkchild DIY, Plant Bass’d, FUSE and so many more nights. 

The Flying Duck is an intimate small capacity venue. Often you’ll find Boosterhooch’s Events Research Programme – a great night with cheap entry especially if you become a member of the clubnight’s Patreon. A hidden gem near Sauchiehall Street. 

Heading to the Charing X and Sauchiehall Street are, new to 2023, Symbøl. It provides a 250 capacity basement made for pounding techno, boasting a Funktion One system and cutting-edge light installation. No promoters have a present residency here, this is to change in the future. A club to keep tabs on. 

Next to Charing X, we have The Berkeley Suite. Having recently undergone a number of refurbishments, this club is a local and DJ favourite. The dingy red pawnshop venue regularly sees 5am licensing, excellent lighting, and huge parties with a sound system which will blow you apart. Parties to check out: SYS, Loose Joints, Polka Dot Disco Club, Africa Is Now, Céleste, Hang Tough, Shakara. 

Go west towards Finnieston and you will find SWG3, a huge venue with an Ibiza feel to clubbing. No residents currently play here, however there is opportunity for huge festival style lineups which is worth keeping an eye out for. ACLP sometimes has huge mainroom techno lineups here with international DJs. The Poetry Club is a small intimate venue within SWG3. Occasionally great club nights take place, like Mutt Klub – a night of fast BPM.