39 Reasons Why Glasgow Is Amazing!
Hen-tropolis - Glasgow is Scotland's biggest city with a population of 600,000 and it makes good use of its metropolitan greatness, fitting as many bars, restaurants and (most importantly) shops as it possibly can.
Imposters - Somebody should really contact the police, because there are no fewer than 20 towns in the United States masquerading with Glasgow's name. They want to be careful they don't get a 'Glasgow kiss' for identity theft!
Andy Murray - Whether he's flying the flag for Britain or Scotland he's still a fantastic player with legs we'd walk 500 miles to get a look at.
Thespians - Glasgow has a list of successful actors as long as your designer make-up wish list! Billy Boyd, Robbie Coltrane, James McAvoy, Rory McCann, Robert Carlisle and Billy Connolly are just a few of the A-list names that call this city home.
Tellers Bar & Brasserie - Make like the stylish, sexy Bond girls you are and head on down to Tellers Bar to enjoy delicious foods, amazing cocktails and the sophisticated entertainment of live Jazz until the early hours.
Gerard Butler - Without Glasgow, we would have no Gerard Butler, fact. That simply wouldn't do, imagine a world with no “P.S. I Love You”?!? A favourite gruff hunk!
Franz Ferdinand - If you're a child of the 90s, the chances are that at some point in the midst of your angst-ridden teenage years you stomped around your bedroom to the Glaswegian sounds of Take Me Out, Do You Want To or Darts of Pleasure.
Ubiquitous Chip - A safe haven from the busy shopping streets, Ubiquitous Chip is the artistic brasserie of our paint fume-fuelled daydreams. Drink sumptuous cocktails and treat yourselves to unique, tasty dishes with the city's wonderful locals.
Distill - The ladies will adore this relaxed, stylish bar where they can throw on their most luxurious black cocktail dresses and their favourite eyeliner and look simply smouldering with a tall rum cocktail.
Highland Games - Complete sporting madness that is perfect for Glasgow hens that are game for a laugh. Toss the caber, roll a haggis and have a hen-larious time with your favourite girlfriends. Read more...
Kokomo - Kokomo good cocktails, good tunes, good times! The place to be if you want to get down to the sounds of Glasgow's top DJs.
The Lane - This bijou but brilliant bar serves a fabulous array of gorgeous cocktails, perfect to raise a toast to the nearly-wed. We'd recommend a Strawberry Russian or the deadly Zombie Lane.
Buchanan Galleries - This is essentially the shopping centre of our retail fantasies. You'll find all your high street faves as well as a few designer names rubbing shoulders and there are even a few fast-food places for a cheeky mid-shop snack.
Braehead - You can exercise your passion for fashion further at Braehead which is a veritable mecca for stylish hens.
The Horseshoe - This beautiful venue is exceptionally charming and it actually holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest continuous bar in the UK at 104 feet and 3 inches. Who said that size didn't matter?!?
The Bothy - With a rustic charm and stunning, woody surroundings, The Bothy is possibly Glasgow's most beautiful dinner spot with a range of traditional dishes to satisfy even the most travelled taste-palates.
Green city - With a name that translates from Gaelic to English as 'Dear Green Place' it's not surprising that Glasgow actually has more green spaces per head than any other city in Europe. A walk in the park is incidentally an amazing hangover cure!
John Barrowman - He might sound American but Glasgow born Barrowman is proud of his Scottish roots. Sci-fi fans will know him as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and Torchwood. His singing voice is stunning too!
Sugar Cube - Suave, sexy and always up for a good time, Glasgow's Sugar Cube nightclub has become a real favourite of the party-loving locals in recent years.
Gigging - Glasgow was recently voted as the top place for concerts in the UK outside of London, meaning that if you time it right you could spend the evening watching one of your favourite artists on your special weekend!
Cathouse - If your leading lady has a passion for music that rocks, then she'll absolutely love Cathouse. This alternative venue has been wowing crowds for over two decades with loud, proud club nights and amazing live performances from heavy bands the world over.
Kushion - If the TOWIE crowd came to Glasgow, they'd be heading to Kushion for an evening of glamorous thrills and spills with a soundtrack of chart hits to keep you on your feet until the early hours.
Kevin Bridges - There's a strong tradition of black comedy in Glasgow and Kevin Bridges typifies the very best of Glasgow humour and is definitely one of our favourite funny men.
La Laterna - There's arguably nowhere better to taste the finest Italian foods during your Glasgow hen party than La Laterna. Amazing beverages and dishes so tasty you'll be left exclaiming 'Mamma-mia!'
Wet Wet Wet - No, we aren't referring to the Scottish weather but the hugely successful 80s band that simply dominated the charts at the peak of their powers. Glaswegian hits like Love Is All Around were all the rage back in the day and who can ever forget With a Little Help From My Friends Hens?
Tikka Masala - If you thought your Chicken Tikka Masala was traditionally Indian then think again girls. The dish is thought to have come out of an experiment with yoghurt, tomato soup, cream and spices by Glasgow chef Ali Ahmed Aslam. See, there are benefits to being a 'Jack of all trades and a master of naan!' (sorry, we'll get our coat)
Curried Favour - As well as pioneering, when it comes to Indian food, Glasgow is also famous for perfecting it; the city has won the title of 'Curry Capital of Britain' no fewer than four times. Well, some do like it hot!
The Clockwork Orange - That's the affectionate nickname given to the tangerine-shaded Glasgow underground. It's the 3rd oldest in the world and the only system of its kind in Scotland.
Afternoon Tea - After a big night out, you could be left feeling just a tad worse for wear; however, our afternoon tea will see you and the girls back to full strength in no time as you tuck into tasty sandwiches and sip on delicious teas. See more...
Television - If it weren't for Scottish engineer John Logie Baird, shows like The Great British Bake Off or I'm a Celebrity wouldn't even exist. After inventing the television in the roaring 20s, Baird transmitted the world's first long-distance pictures from London to Glasgow's Central Hotel and the rest was history!
St. Valentine - It's often thought that the Patron Saint of lurve has found a resting place in Glasgow after his remains, allegedly gifted to Glaswegian friars in 1868, were uncovered in 1999. So maybe those single hens will find a Scottish hottie in 'dear old Glasgow town'?
Hot Fuzz - Glasgow had its own police officers in 1789, a huge 40 years before London established its force. Perhaps that's why the headquarters are called 'Scotland Yard'?
LuLu - The pop legend has been belting out hits since the 60s from Bond themes to Shout. “Weee-ee-eee-eee-eee-llll.... You know you make me want to....”
Empire - During the height of Britain's power, this city was considered to be the Empire's second capital. Take that Edinburgh!
Hens in Space - There aren't many cities that can boast their own space programme, but that's exactly what Glasgow's got in Clyde Space. They manufacture ground-breaking satellites, the first of which was successfully launched in 2014. It's now boldly going where no British sat has gone before...
Paolo Nutini - Glasgow born singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini is rugged, handsome and that gorgeous rasping voice. Who doesn't walk down the high street humming New Shoes when wearing your brand spanking new heels?
Recording Studio - If you think that your hen party's Got Talent then it's about time you headed to the recording studio to finally see if you really have got The X Factor. Read more...
Top Tweeters
Visit Glasgow - The complete guide for visiting Glasgow lovers.
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Lost Glasgow - Amazing flashbacks to the city's historic past.
Glasgow Living - The best of Glasgow at your fingertips.
- 1. Buzzing Buchanan Street, with a wealth of popular shops
- 2. Great annual festivals, including the West End Festival
- 3. Fantastic range of art exhibitions and galleries
- 4. The Barras, a lively flea market where you can rummage for shiny trinkets
- 5. The alfresco restaurants and bars on Ashton Lane
It's time for a hen party in Glasgow!
Rough and tough Glasgow has witnessed something of a cultural revolution in recent years, undergoing a huge metamorphosis. The run-down, industrial style city has well and truly gone, regenerating in to a cool central hub of culture. The city hasn't completely lost its edge though - the nightlife is thriving and colourful, dominated by loud bars and energetic nightclubs. Between that and the massive selection of activities available, Glasgow is the perfect destination for an unforgettable Scottish hen do.
Why: Why should you have a Glasgow hen do?
The fourth biggest city in the UK, Glasgow has a lot to offer in the hen party stakes - it might not be Scotland's capital, but in terms of bars and shops, it outshines its rival Scottish neighbour by a considerable amount. The nightlife is by far the best in the north, with well-established, raucous bars and pubs, locals that know how to party hard, and an electric music scene - it's a UNESCO city of music. If you're working to a budget on the hen do, Glasgow is also a brilliantly economical option, you're not going to need to save up too much for a fantastic night out. Things are only set to get even better in the future, with Glasgow the next host of the Commonwealth Games, the city's profile is on the rise, and the arts, shopping and entertainment scene is only going to grow. If you're hoping for a fantastic night out, a Glasgow hen do has plenty to offer every hen group.
What: What can you do on a hen party in Glasgow?
Glasgow is (obviously) a city - and as one of the biggest cities in the country, it's got a lot of options for girls on a big night out. The clubs are banging, the bars are cheap, and the Scots really know how to party - a great night out is guaranteed. It's not all about drinking though. Glasgow is far more than a one note wonder, it's got a humungous amount going on all day long. There's plenty of surrounding Scottish countryside providing a stunning backdrop to the city, and giving you plenty of exhilarating outdoor options for hens who like to get some fresh air and their lungs working. There's plenty going on in the city centre too, from dancing lessons to pampering sessions to more unusual selections like free running or virtual warfare. It's often popular to try something active in the morning, like a dance class or a motorsport, to get everyone wide awake and energised, take a few hours afterwards for a lazy lunch and some shopping and sightseeing, and then trying some cocktail making or vodka tasting in the evening to get you all in the party mood - before you hop on a boogie bus and head to a club, naturally!
When: The best times to visit for a hen party in Glasgow
As an up-and-coming tourist destination, Glasgow is busy all year round with sightseers, shopaholics, visitors and - of course - hens. As such there's a great range of events taking place all year round, so whenever you and the girls head up to Glasgow you're in for a great time. You could visit in February for the Glasgow Film Festival or in March for the Glasgow Music Fair. In June there's the West End Festival and the Glasgow International Jazz Festival before September brings Proms in the Park. The activities are equally good year round - as a city destination, there's plenty to do indoors and out throughout the seasons.
Shop: Glasgow shopping areas & recommendations
Glasgow is one of Scotland's best shopping cities, with a fantastic range of shops from luxurious to outlet to huge shopping centres. Pay a visit to the Buchanan Galleries, Glasgow's newest shopping centre, which has a great range of 80 high-street shops including H&M, Mango and Next, or if you're feeling peckish take a trip to the St Enoch shopping centre which has Scotland's largest food court with over 850 seats! Prince's Square is the place to head for a fashionable, elegant shopping experience, with designer names, exclusive boutiques and cool bars - or for something a bit glitzy head to Argyll Arcade, a covered street with 32 fabulous jewellers.
How: How do you get to Glasgow?
Glasgow is one of the most important cities in Scotland, so it's very easy to get in. There are two airports in the city, but chances are good that Glasgow International is the one you want; closer to the city and with plenty of flights in from around the UK. If you don't fancy flying in, there are trains running to Glasgow from all around Scotland, as well as plenty from further down south as well - though if you're coming up from England, it's worth booking well in advance because the trains aren't cheap. If you'd prefer the budget option, and don't mind a longer journey, long distance coaches can be got from some of the major UK cities.
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Glasgow is a city of great culture, there are some superb museums and art galleries which are well worth a visit. But if your weekend has been a little more boozy than studious and there are a few sore hen heads, a trip up the Glasgow Tower will soon bring everyone round. The views from the top are stunning (unless you're scared of heights in which case they're terrifying!).
