Glasgow has always had a rich nightlife scene - regardless of what era the city has found itself in - today we’re remembering some old pubs and clubs that we’ve lost along the way.
Our city has been the heart of culture, clubbing, pubbing, and general good times in Scotland for generations now - but in that time, we’ve lost some of our old favourite haunts.
Take a look below as we remember some of Glasgow’s best pubs, clubs, and venues we’ve lost over the years.
Take a look below as we remember some of Glasgow’s best pubs, clubs, and venues we’ve lost over the years.
5. Old College Bar
For years people thought the Old College Bar was the oldest pub in Glasgow - until it closed down and the manager admitted it was a fib to drum up custom - nonetheless the myth endures today even years after its been gone. While it was still old, it wasn’t quite as old as they claimed. The title rightfully belongs to The Scotia on Stockwell Street. Despite all that, it was still a great old boozer, and a regular haunt for old Sunday Express copy boys.
6. Cleopatra's
Cleopatra’s nightclub, better remembered as Clatty Pats, for a time was the place to be - or perhaps the place you didn’t want to be but invariably ended up at anyway. Photo: Scotsman
7. The Locarno Ballroom
The Locarno on Sauchiehall Street opened in 1926 and boasted a Canadian Maple dancefloor, revolving stage, and runaround balcony. The ballroom was held in the same esteem as the Barrowlands and Dennistoun Palais. Evolving with Glasgow’s music scene, the ballroom played Charleston and big band jazz in its beginning before slowly turning into a Rock, Soul, and Punk venue. The club was popular with American soldiers who often stayed at the nearby Beresford Hotel during World War II. The venue changed names twice, first to Tiffany’s, and then to Zanzibar in its later life - a tropical disco - with a zebra-print colour scheme and plastic palm trees. By the late 80s the huge dancehall proved too difficult to fill, and the venue was converted into a casino, which it remains to this day.
8. The Muscular Arms
A bizarre Glasgow institution that was as strange as it was unforgettable - complete with odd interior design like the statue pictured above - it was a superhero themed bar in the 70’s that also hosted mini Highland Games and spaghetti eating and potato crisps eating competitions.
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