Glasgow venues round-up: July 2022

Looking for somewhere new to visit this summer in Glasgow? From music venues to bakeries, we've got you covered

Feature by Tara Hepburn | 06 Jul 2022
  • Rickshaw & Co

Rickshaw and Co

Opened in early June, Rickshaw and Co in Partick is a massive two-floor spot on Partick Bridge Street at the bottom of Byres Road. The vibrant Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant is a buzzy and playful space, with cheerful waiting staff, cocktails being shaken up and sizzling plates of street food gliding out of the kitchen. The menu is a small plates affair, with the best of the bunch to be found in the tandoori section. They also have a partnership with Homeless Project Scotland, providing weekly meals for unhoused people in the city. A nice touch from a company that seem to be a thoroughly lovely bunch of people. 9 Partick Bridge St, G11 6PN

Scomelette

Scomelette is a new café-bakery on Victoria Road named after their own most iconic dish: The Scomelette. Billed as the ultimate hangover cure, their signature dish takes centre-stage on the short bakery menu. Consisting of a potato scone topped with an Indian-spiced omelette in a pretzel bun, it really is a special creation. Elsewhere the menu is more standard bakery stuff: breads, cakes, breakfast rolls and freshly ground coffee provided by Dear Green. A well-appointed and efficient place to grab a to-go snack and hot drink for a walk around or lunch in Queens Park. 84 Victoria Rd, G42 7AA

Junction 1

This month will see the long-awaited opening of Glasgow’s most ambitious new venue in recent years. Junction 1 is located not far from – surprise – junction 1 of the M74, beside Polmadie. Built on the site of the former Morris Furniture factory, the multipurpose venue sprawls out from a large outdoor arena space, and will be the biggest dedicated outside venue in the city. Groups such as Hot Chip and Rudimental are scheduled to perform in the next few weeks. Outdoor pop-up food and drink options will also be available and served on Junction 1’s huge roof terrace. Plans for Junction 1 will ultimately extend beyond this in the years to come, part of the Commonwealth Games’ regenerative promises to the city’s East End. Junction 1, G5 0YD

Wild Flours

The changing face of Dennistoun’s Duke Street continues with the recent addition of fully gluten-free bakery Wild Flours. This peaceful and chic bakery might be familiar to residents of Giffnock, where its original outpost is based. The Dennistoun version operates a similarly changing menu of gluten-free treats: sweet stuff makes up the bulk of the offering, with empire biscuits and brownies among the most popular, but daily breads, rolls and savoury tarts are also available. Bigger than its Southside counterpart, Wild Flours East is a roomy glass-fronted sunny spot to spend some time, with a bright exterior (the shop front’s shutters are decorated with colourful murals) in keeping with its upbeat and smiley vibe. 553 Duke St, G31 1DL

Kong

It seems like a while since a new place opened up on Royal Exchange Square. This shopping-district square of restaurants has become a familiar landscape in recent years, with popular spots like The Social and DiMaggios dominating the space. The upper levels of those buildings, however, change hands more often than might be obvious from street level. Kong is the latest venture to take on the space once held by karaoke bar One Up. With a slick refurbishment and views across the fairy-lit square, Kong is an opulent place to spend an evening. Split over a number of rooms – a mix of dining, cocktail bars and a small nightclub (open Fridays and Saturdays only) – Kong makes good use of its 3am license, catering across its spaces for groups on very different nights out. 23 Royal Exchange Square, G1 3AJ