Glasgow venues round-up: February 2023

Scran London Road

Scran first opened in Dennistoun in 2018 and quickly acquired cult status in the city. Their no bookings policy meant that it was typical to see a long queue trickling down Alexandra Parade from Scran’s door most weekend mornings. It was a huge shock, then, when they announced their closure in 2022. Hearts were broken. But you can’t keep a good man down, and Scran popped up in new East End premises just a few months later. Now occupying a larger spot on London Road near the Barras, Scran lives on, and besides the location, little else has changed. 239 London Rd, G40 1PE

Symbøl

Three years on from the first appearance of COVID-19, the city has finally added a new name to the nightlife scene. Symbøl has taken up residence on Sauchiehall Street in the underground spot where the Blue Arrow Jazz Club once stood. Musically speaking, Symbøl represents a handbrake turn for the space. Officially opening its doors on Boxing Day 2022, the club is a techno wonderland. A heavy-duty Funktion-One sound system and sophisticated lighting set-up geared towards electronic music have transformed the 250-capacity venue into something unrecognisable. Only open for a few short weeks at the time of writing, Symbøl has already seen appearances from international names such as Californian DJ and producer Onyvaa and local favourites like Frazi.er. 323 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3HW

August House

August House on Mitchell Street is the latest Glasgow venture for the Base Hospitality group (you might recognise them from other shiny establishments such as Nonna Says and The Duke’s Umbrella). Open until 1am with live DJs every night of the week, August is a slick bar with a particular focus on cocktails and house music. August’s large basement area is the focus of the bar’s long-term ambitions, with rumblings that gigs, club nights and private parties are all lined up to the fill the space in the coming months. The food offering is decent enough for a place that is first and foremost a cocktail bar. Small plates such as mini lobster rolls, shrimp tacos and edamame hummus provide well-matched accompaniment to the bar’s cocktail list. 43 Mitchell St, G1 3LN

Slay

Slay is a new multi-purpose venue based on Glassford Street in Glasgow. After a cursed attempt to open in early 2020, things are well and truly underway now for this new face in the city centre. Slay has a good sense of its own vibe and typically attracts an energetic younger crowd. Many of their regular events lean into a poppy and playful sensibility. Stuff like Drag Bingo shares the calendar with noughties club nights and daytime alternative markets. The main event space has a standing capacity of 550, and represents a good new mid-sized city centre venue. This useful addition to the live music scene has seen Slay host a wide variety of artists and events, from guitar bands to live podcast nights and stand-up comedy. 24 Glassford St, G1 1UL