The best places to see in the New Year in Glasgow

Head along to this award-winning live music bar and kitchen for some great tunes and jubilations. Last year the “Great Bells of Fire” party night saw revellers on the dance floor until 4am, so we’re excited to see what the venue brings this time around. Festive dishes here include the likes of haggis pakora served with a chilli sauce; maple glazed pork belly, with fondant potato, roast vegetables and red wine jus; roast pepper and chilli jam pithivier with a warm winter salad; and Slouch Mess, the venue’s take on the Eton Mess, with crushed fruit and meringue.

Immerse yourself in an atmosphere that’s been inspired by pre- and post-prohibition times, Glasgow’s own maritime heritage and the golden age of ocean travel. This sophisticated restaurant and bar is wonderfully reminiscent of the kinds of liners once constructed in this shipbuilding city. And for Hogmanay 2023, the venue’s preparing a New Year Gala, an opulent option for those wishing to push the boat out (pun intended). There will be a delectable four course celebration menu, accompanied by live entertainment and optional Champagne cocktails (we love the Smoked French with toasted rosemary-infused Bombay Sapphire, lemon juice, sugar syrup and bubbles). Tickets are priced at £75 per person and you’ll be able to stay at The Anchor Line into the wee small hours.

Head to one of the biggest celebrations in the city this year, as Ashton Lane becomes one massive street party. Many of the venues along its charming cobbled lanes will be participating in the event, including Vodka Wodka with its legendary beer garden. You can book two-hour stays either inside or out (there are heaters and covers for inclement weather), with one of the bar’s drinks packages — and there’s something for every budget, from beer to Bacardi. Or get a ticket to the street party itself, where you can roam in and out of various bars along the street for the entire night. And with food stalls as well as Ramen Dayo’s kitchen serving up noodles, you won’t go hungry.

Put on your fanciest garb and head to The Polo Lounge’s annual shindig. The night will include live performances from the venue’s resident and guest DJs across Polo Lounge, Club and Club X. The Merchant City LGBTQ+ inclusive club has been in business since 1996, making it a veteran of the scene and is set over two floors. It’s a designated safe space, so you can focus on bringing in the bells without any hassle or harassment. There are private booths for hire if you want the opportunity to rest your feet with room to yourself over the course of the night.

Those who plan on being tucked up in bed (or at least ensuring the kids are in the land of nod) by the time 2024 peeks its head around the door, can still enjoy a Hogmanay day or early evening out. Spend New Year’s Eve at Webster’s Theatre and Bar, where you can watch the matinee performance of A Crackin’ Cinderella Story by Paul Harper-Swan. Prepare for lots of laughs and some gentle audience participation (“it’s behind you!”). Then, once the curtains fall on the locally-inspired pantomime, you can order food or a cuppa and a cake in the bar (whose gantry has been constructed with salvaged interior fittings from a chemist on the Great Western Road).

Instead of doing it the traditional Scottish way, would you like to celebrate New Year with some Thai flair and a touch of spice? Experience a slice of southeast Asia and some tropical flavours, with a Hogmanay meal at Chaophraya. There will be festive cocktails and a seasonal tasting menu at the beautiful restaurant located in The Townhouse on Nelson Mandela Place. The small chain is family-owned and it offers a menu for younger diners, so it’s another good one for those planning on celebrating earlier in the evening with all the family. And you can finish your meal with one of Chaophraya’s liquid desserts, such as the Rongang cocktail made with Hatozaki Japanese Whiskey, Shanky’s Whip, Mozart White Chocolate Liqueur, popcorn syrup and oodles of cream.

This gorgeous house, which was inspired by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, boasts the enviable setting of Bellahouston Park. And while it may have been designed as a country retreat, it’s a short distance from Glasgow’s city centre and southern suburbs (so a taxi home won’t cost the earth). Guests will be welcomed with fizz and canapés at 7pm followed by a three course meal with wine. Held in the Mackintosh Suite, there’s plenty of space to kick your heels and a ceilidh band will be present to encourage you onto the floor as they play and call the dances. Dancing will halt at midnight, for a round of Auld Lang Syne, before resuming and ending at 1am. If you already have plans for the bells, why not pop into the venue for a light lunch at the Art Lover’s Café, followed by a walk of the grounds, before returning home to get ready for your night oot.

Opt for sustainable seafood and aged meats, accompanied by creative cocktails and low-level mood lighting, at this nautically inspired bar and restaurant in foodie Finnieston. The festive specials continue throughout the month of December and you can expect some high quality seafood. Sea trout gravlax blini with horseradish cream and keta caviar, butter roasted coley with chickpea and sobrasada stew, and mulled winter berry poached pear with vanilla ice cream are examples of the kinds of delights you can wrap your teeth around, should you spend a relaxed evening in this fashionable venue. Its atmosphere is well suited to couples wanting some quality time together with excellent cuisine and a sultry, on-trend backdrop.

Join the Hogmanay party thrown by this top-rated and award-winning music venue on Bath Street. As an American whiskey bar, it’s a great shout if you fancy a US-made dram to sup on for the bells. And the venue serves up some tasty seasonal scran, like crayfish and thermador taco with burnt scallions; winter vegetable pithivier with maple roast chicory and vegan jus; and oat milk and vanilla panna cotta with raspberry powder and raspberry dressing. As this venue is all about the Blues, you can expect this genre of music to be playing all night as you see in the New Year in rock and roll style. Choose this venue if you want a howlingly good knees-up in the city centre.

Return to the 1980s and 90s for a retro clubby party. You’ll be on the dance floors all night (the New Year’s Eve bash runs from 10pm to 3am) across the two themed rooms, with all our favourite tunes from the past blasting as you boogie. Book entry and choose whatever drinks take your fancy on the night, or opt for a VIP package, which includes all your booze and saves on decisions, as well as bar queues — meaning you can spend more time busting some moves to the gloriously cheesy sounds of Wham, Bananarama, the Spice Girls, Peter Andre and more. Head to Club Tropicana’s room if you’re in the mood for 80s disco sounds and Venga for the biggest dance hits of the 90s. And dress in your best vintage gear (a quick whizz around some West End charity shops should see you right) to get right into the spirit of the club.

Taking its inspiration from the real life Mr MacGregor’s global travels (himself inspired by Phileas Fogg), this is a restaurant and gin emporium in one. New Year here begins at 5pm, ideal for those not keen on a super late night. For £40 per person, you’ll be treated to a three course banquet, with dishes like cock-a-leekie soup, spiced cauliflower steak with pomme puree, green beans, puffed rice and curry sauce, and apple tarte tartine with whiskey creme Anglaise. Those seeking something for the daytime can also opt for a festive afternoon tea instead. This runs right up until the 31st, offering a charming range of festive treats and savouries presented on a tiered cake stand. Tucked away in Clarkston this is a great choice for those on the suburban Southside who don’t want the hassle of taxis on New Year’s Eve.

Nervous about venturing into town during the madness that can be 31st December, but still want to party? Spend the night at Stereo, a dedicated safe space. The venue carries a policy of zero tolerance when it comes to homophobia, transphobia, racism and discrimination or prejudice based on identity or background, staff are trained to deal with any issues quickly and discreetly, and provide drink spike tests for peace of mind. This is a place you can relax and let your hair down, and be fully yourself without worry, knowing the team will look out for you if you need assistance. Plus they have a delicious plant-based menu and a killer line-up of live music to enjoy.

Access all areas tickets at the Fullarton Park Hotel are a steal at £10 per person. In addition to an indoor bar and restaurant, there’s an outside terrace. So it’ll be easy to step outside and admire the fireworks, with the option to retreat back in the warmth should the weather prove inclement. You may want to dine in the venue first — it serves home cooked fare, with everything from steak to seabass and stroganoff to spaghetti. Kids have their own menu, so if you’re needing to get them tucked in at home before the party begins, why not bring them here during the day for a slap up meal in a relaxed homey ambiance. Fullarton Park Hotel is located in the Tollcross area of the city, catering to East Enders.

There will be bubbly and tasty bites aplenty on the table for St Judes’ Hogmanay party this year. The neon-lit American bar and grill is otherwise best known for its burgers, steaks, afternoon teas and candy shop cocktails crafted using all your favourite childhood sweeties. It offers several spaces for festive function hire (the penthouse, condo, apartment and courtyard), and there’s a cute photo booth to document your evening, retro-style. The party runs from 8pm to 2am on the night, with some sophisticated live music as the backdrop for your celebration.

Offering arguably the best views in town, the Radisson Red Sky Bar is an epic spot to bring in the bells. Quite the party pad, it relishes this night of the year, with an annual event. This year the venue presents Electric Dreams, from 8pm to 1am. There will be two DJs (Jon Mancini and Michael Kilkie) across four decks for the entire night. If you’re local and you hurry you can grab one of the remaining party-only tickets priced at £38.50 each. Those coming from out of town or further afield in Greater Glasgow may want to make a night of it by booking a room package. These range from £328.90 for a basic bed and breakfast plus the party, ranging up to a VIP Guilty Pleasure package covering two nights of fun for £440 (payment plans are available). It’s a great way to treat your other half and maybe even plan a very special proposal after midnight overlooking the city lights.