The best bars in Glasgow to drink whisky

Undoubtedly the most obvious choice when it comes to discovering Scotland’s national drink, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has venues in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London. This one on Bath Street opens from Tuesday through to Saturday, day and night. And a visit here may just surprise you. Far from being a staid, old-fashioned affair, the bar has vibrant pops of colour, contemporary furnishings and an on-trend colour scheme. Whisky flights are a super way to explore a handful of the society’s 850 cask strength bottlings. And of course, you’ll be surrounded by fellow whisky aficionados. It hosts regular events and there’s a new release each month. The only downside is that this is a member’s club. So you’ll either need to join up, buy a voucher, or get an existing member to smuggle you in (they’re able to bring three guests along).

If you like to pair your whisky with some live Scottish folk music and a blether, pay a visit to The Ben Nevis. Patrons can warm up beside the roaring fire in the Bothy style, down to earth bar. Take a look behind the bar and you’ll see quite literally metres of whisky from which to choose. If you’re unsure where to start, the staff will be happy to advise. But be sure to get there early if you want a seat, especially on Wednesday nights when the music sessions begin. Feeling hungry? You can order some hearty scran too.

Every single Scottish whisky distillery is covered at The Piper Whisky Bar, as well as countless varieties from further afield. Recent new arrivals have included Bunnahabhain limited release 1997 Moine PX Finish, Laphroaig 16 yr and the Balvenie Edge of Burnhead Wood 19 yr. Book in for a group tasting session or arrange your own private bespoke event and look out for the monthly promotion, enabling great deals on the malt of the month.

With 40 years of history, the aptly named Pot Still has long been a go-to spot for a few drams. And it would take you decades to work through the range here. There are over 800 malts from across the globe on offer: single malts, blended malts, single grains, blended grains, blends and whisky liqueurs, with Scottish, Welsh, Irish, American, Canadian, Swedish, Dutch, Indian, Kiwi and Japanese varieties. The bar hosts regular tastings and serves homemade pies to complement the Scotch. It’s a family-run establishment with multiple awards to its name (Scottish Dram Awards Whisky Bar of the Year and Scottish Field magazine’s Whisky Bar of the Year Award in 2016 as well as The SLTN Whisky Bar of the Year 2017.)

Close to the hearts of Glaswegians, Cafe Gandolfini has become an institution since its inception in 1979. It was a pioneer of Merchant City’s makeover, as one of the first bars and restaurants to arrive in the area. Punters can stop in for a drink, or stay and enjoy a full meal, from breakfast through to late at night. There’s an extensive list of whiskies and Burns’ night is celebrated with a special menu as well as a few drams. But our favourite way to imbibe whisky here is in one of the fabulous and inventive cocktails mixed by the talented bar staff.

Found in the innovative arts hub that is Òran Mór, The Whisky Bar is a cultured, yet homely spot at the top of Byres Road. Whether popping in ahead of a gig or making a special journey, you can sample some of over 280 malts at the vintage bar, one of which is featured each month along with its tasting notes. And if you feel peckish, there’s plenty to choose from on the Bar & John Muir Room Menu.

Reminiscent of the turn of last century, this vintage-style bar looks like it could host a scene from Peaky Blinders. At The Duke’s Umbrella you can eat, as well as drink the whisky, with a portion of homemade Laphroaig ice cream in a mini waffle cone.

Take your liquid whisky straight up, or in a characterful cocktail, such as the Texan Picante (Horse with No Name habanero infused bourbon, lime juice, agave, coriander and chilli, or the Twisted Treacle (Naked Malt, Pedro Ximénez Sherry, whisky smoked salt and heather honey). The gastropub also hosts seasonal pop-ups celebrating Scotland’s favourite drink, such as a Tour of Scotland Whisky Lunch which was held on St Andrews Day (keep an eye on the venue’s social media for details of forthcoming events). 

Rather than being one solitary venue, “The Chip”, as it’s colloquially known, comprises many different spaces under one roof. One such area is the Wee Whisky Bar, which, the brand claims “serves more whiskies per square foot than any other bar in Scotland”. Open till 12 am, this is a prime spot for a west end nightcap, where whisky is served in generous 35ml measures as standard.

You might want to take a whisky flight, to discover new varieties. And you should certainly take the opportunity to have a meal with your liquor. There are two places to dine — The Brasserie and The Restaurant, the latter serving tasting and a la carte menus. Order the steak and you can top up your evening’s whisky consumption, with the house peppercorn and whisky Sauce. 

In search of a cosy candle lit spot to share a few drams with your love? The Finnieston is a fashionable haunt that you’ll find to be more conducive to an amorous date night than a trad pub. Table service is attentive (no having to queue at the bar) but unobtrusive. And the decor has a moody maritime vibe to complement the menu of fresh fish and seafood — the aromas of which are divine. The Finnieston’s whisky list takes us on a tour across the country’s distilleries, and indeed, the world, such as the Nikka Coffey Grain Japanese Whisky and Gentleman Jack, an offshoot of the US-born Jack Daniels. Blended varieties are also available behind the bar and there’s a quirky Wayfarer cocktail for those wanting a classy and warming mixed tipple.

Whisky is arguably best enjoyed with delicious Scottish food, just like the kind you can find at Gost. The bar at the stylish contemporary restaurant holds a large selection of Scottish whisky, grouped by producing region, as well as some Japanese varieties. But best of all, the resident mixologists use a diverse number of brands and non-whisky ingredients to muddle together the most interesting of cocktails. There are four types of Old Fashioned alone, alongside unique libations such as The Bard, containing Rob Roy Famous Grouse, Tempranillo Passionfruit, blackberry, sake and lemon balm, and Kitsune, a sour cocktail made using Toki whiskey, passionfruit, green tea, plum, lemon and egg. Gost is ideal for a special occasion, to entertain corporate clients, or just for a treat.

Have a nip of whisky from as close to home as Clydebank (Auchentoshan American Oak and Auchentoshan Three Wood) and as far as Japan (Suntory Toki Whisky) and the USA (Whistlepig Rye Whiskey from Vermont and Woodford Reserve from Kentucky) when you book a table at Blackfriars of Bell Street. You’ll find the odd speciality cocktail appearing at the bar too, such as a Highland Park Old Fashioned.

And you can pair your whisky with live music, a quiz or an evening of comedy, as this traditional pub offers a programme of events to keep you singing along or chortling all night long. Blackfriars of Bell Street also has a menu of food by Nonna Said — keep to the Scottish theme by ordering their Happy Highlander pizza, with haggis and potato smiley faces.