Bag O’ Nails
165 Dumbarton Road
Big, busy and unashamedly broad in its appeal. The student friendly, late-night food menu, the 1am licence and the live music all do their bit. Has a great buzz when there’s a big game on the screens.

Cottiers
93–95 Hyndland Street
Cottiers is the most West End of watering holes. A spacious bar housed in an old church, with the lovely thick resonance of tables chattering that occurs in such noble, high-ceilinged spaces. Perfect for a pint and a leisurely perusal of the newspaper.

The Sparkle Horse
16 Dowanhill Street
A muso’s pub and an institution for those in-the-know. The Sparkle Horse lads were one of the first outfits to successfully modernise and reimagine the old-fashioned boozer in their own mould, and the West End loves them for it. Just don’t expect to hear Coldplay.

Thornwood
724 Dumbarton Road
This leafy crown jewel of the back end of Dumbarton Road has a lively, rock’n’roll soundtrack and a strong product range, as well as a loyal following who value how much it values them. Snug in the winter, lovely outdoor bit in the summer.

Three Judges
141 Dumbarton Road
There’s typically a hearty crowd standing at the bar and chuckling away here at one of the city’s dying breed of real ale-focused pubs. It has a hefty reputation, with nine beers on the hand pull and cask cider as well. The CAMRA force is strong in this one.

Also try... The Record Factory for big sporting events on the screen (and its big beer garden in the summer), its neighbour West Side Tavern for Stella Artois and cocktails on tap and an equally impressive outdoor space, The Lismore for the West End’s best whisky range, and Vino Valentino’s wine shop and tasting room where you can try lesser spotted regional varieties from around Italy by the glass.

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.