Where to find freakshakes in Glasgow

As the freakshake is almost certainly a product of the USA, it figures that heading to an American-themed diner is a winning tactic in finding the very best of the best here in Blighty. Alongside sodas and cocktails, you can order a massive shake, in flavours such as Oreo Cookie (served in a tall glass with the option of a shot to make it boozy) and head along on Freakshake Friday for the restaurant’s weekly specials.

This may be the “home of the PUNK’D up sourdough pizzas”, but this funky venue also serves up some freakin’ good shakes. Just £6 each, they’re visual masterpieces, slathered in colourful goodies. Order a Chocolate Brownie, made with Mackie’s chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce, chocolate brownie and chocolate buttons; a Strawberry Cheesecake with Mackie’s strawberry ice cream, strawberry sauce, strawberry cheesecake; a vegan chocolate brownie with vegan vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, Oreos, home-made vegan chocolate brownie; or if you’re celebrating, go for a birthday cake shake, complete with actual cake and a candle (plus a whole load more ingredients). The cocktails are every bit as epic, so do try one as well. And balance your sugar intake with one of the Punks’ pizzas.

Among the nitrogen ice cream, pancake stacks, waffles and fudge puppies, you can order freakshakes at Tubbees Dessert Labs across the city (Ibrox, Strathclyde, Scotstoun, Crowwood and Bearsden). Try creations like the Chocolate Death Freakshake, piled high with ice cream, sauce and massive pieces of brownie, served in a measuring jug (it’s that big). Eton Mess, Biscoff, Nutella, Aero and even mermaid-themed serves have all been spotted at Tubbees.

A dessert parlour with a casual vibe, Shake N Scoops is found in Sauchiehall Street and in the St Enoch Centre, making it a perfect stop-off while you’re out shopping. Topped with chunks of fresh bakes, the shakes here also come with a generous portion of whipped cream. Each week sees a different special, but you can also request a flavour or combo of your choice. You can also have a gelato shake or a dairy-free option, which can be based on sorbet or non-dairy milk (soy, oat or almond).

Also on Sauchiehall Street, Steak, Cattle and Roll is a casual dining venue within Life bar, offering indoor and outdoor seating. Family-friendly during the day, with a party atmosphere at night, this is a fun place to sip on a freakshake. Try one with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, Oreos and chocolate sauce; vanilla ice cream and Lotus candied biscuits; Irn Bru ice cream,  Irn Bru and a Rocket ice lolly; or a Freak of the Week. Alternatively, give an alcoholic shake a try with Kraken rum, vanilla ice cream, maple syrup and espresso; amaretto, vanilla ice cream and strawberries; or Baileys Original/Baileys Almande, vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream and chocolate Sauce. All of the shakes on the menu at Steak, Cattle and Roll can be made with vegan ingredients.

If you need a freakshake to go, cascading ingredients might not be practical. But that doesn’t mean you can’t go large. At Big Licks, you can get a hearty, huge shake with a lid and straw. Open from 5pm on weekdays and 1pm Saturday and Sunday in Braehead and Finnieston, Big Licks is handy for an afterwork pick-me-up, or a weekend treat. Mint choc chip with all the bits, mango, milky bar and classics like strawberry and vanilla are just some of your options. 

Leopardo Pizza adds a twist to the Glasgow freakshake scene with an Italian flair. Among their standout concoctions is their boozy ‘Strawberry Cornetto’ shake, a decadent blend of vanilla vodka, tequila rose, and strawberry syrup topped with whipped cream.