Big Slope
36a Kelvingrove Street
Opened in 2006 in a still-quite-ropey Finnieston, Big Slope nears its 20th birthday with little let-up in popularity. It’s got a top location near Kelvingrove Park, an enticing alfresco area, pub grub that’s always a cut above, great cocktails and an appealing carefree, whimsical attitude.

Dukes Bar
41 Old Dumbarton Road
There’s been a bar on this spot for as long as anyone can remember and the current Dukes nods to previous incarnations. The Clash played here on their 1985 busking tour, a fact that already sets this bar out as supercool. Add in a great corner spot, a nice interior, good cocktails, and this place is calling.

The Finnieston Bar & Restaurant
1125 Argyle Street
Housed in an ex-drovers’ tavern (circa 1800), this bar-diner is a cosy spot for top-quality cocktails and seafood, from oysters to fish and chips or a big hot platter. Nautical nods in the décor conjure up an old galleon, while there’s a diligent bar and beer garden for enjoying their 60-plus gins.

Lebowskis
1008 Argyle Street
Named after the eponymous slacker hero of the Coen Brothers’ cult movie The Big Lebowski, this Finnieston bar opened in 2007, before the area boomed on the dining front. Eat wings, burgers and birds, while nearly 30 Lebowski-themed variations on White Russians would make Jeff proud.

The 78
10–14 Kelvinhaugh Street
The 78 (originally called Stereo before that sister venue moved to the city centre) is both a neighbourhood pub and one of the heavyweights of Glasgow’s vegan dining scene. Currently the animal-free menu is courtesy of pop-uppers Antojitos doing Mexican street food including tacos, loaded nachos and various tapas.

Strip Joint
956 Argyle Street
Close to the Hydro, Strip Joint manages to bag a chunk of the pre-gig crowd with a focus on quality drinks, good-value food (pizzas are great) and a leaning towards indie music, with a vinyl shop inside. They also have Innis & Ginn lager straight from their tank system.

Also try… craft beer galore at behemoth BrewDog opposite Kelvingrove Art Gallery And Museum or the much more diminutive operation Grunting Growler, where you can enjoy a range of beer and wine for sit-in or take-away.

This TipList is taken from Eat & Drink 365 Glasgow, our sister mag recommending the best in restaurants, bars, cafés and more. Want a copy? It’s available online or across all good stockists in Glasgow.