The best girls' night out in Glasgow
A study by the University of California has shown that hanging out with your BFFs regularly is good for your mental health. And we all know the best way to hang out is a big girls’ night. We’re big fans of pyjamas and wine on the sofa, but we think that nothing beats grabbing your gang and hitting the town for food and drinks. If you agree, then you’re in the right place because we’ve put together a guide of our favourite places for a girls’ night out in Glasgow.
In the mood for dancing and having fun? Then for your girls’ night out in Glasgow, Topolabamba should be top of your list. This Mexican-themed joint gets the party started when you walk in the door, with upbeat tunes welcoming you to your seat. It’s famous for its margaritas, with classic, fruity and frozen options on the menu; the perfect way to toast the beginning of your evening. The food is also great for a gang night out with small plates dominating the menu. Tuck into tacos, Mexican cheese fondue, jalapeño poppers, and much more. And don’t forget to grab a sombrero for the full experience!
If you’re wanting to be a bit classy for the evening then 111 by Modou is a good bet. The “Trust” menu (Sundays and Mondays) allows you to pick the main ingredients in your dishes and the chefs cook up surprise plates according to this. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the restaurant offers an “Inspire” menu, which is a six course tasting menu. With cosy tables and a view over the chefs in the kitchen, this is a great spot to squeeze in and catch up with your gal pals.
This super cool spot in the super cool West End is part restaurant, part bar, part live music venue. Best of all, if you happen to visit on a nice evening, it has one of the city’s best beer gardens out back. Don’t head here if you’re looking for refined food, this is more a dirty burger/tasty hot dog kinda place, but it’s perfect if you want to line your stomach with amazing bites before hitting the spirits. If you do head down, be sure to try out the pizza, it’s a standout dish on the menu.
One essential ingredient of many a girls’ night out is the cocktail. Smooth and sweet or dark and strong, whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it at The Spiritualist. If you’re gathering a big group, this place will happily section off part of its restaurant for you. The food is perfect for all types of groups, with options for veggies, pescatarians and much more. But it’s the drinks that really steal the show with four pages on the menu dedicated to cocktails. Head to the bar after your meal and watch the team flame, smoke and shake up concoctions like a salted caramel espresso martini, a sharing old fashioned, or the venue’s own take on the classic bramble.
The Absent Ear is a speakeasy cocktail bar hidden away within Glasgow’s Merchant City. Inspired by the late, great Vincent Van Gogh, the theme here celebrates his artistic legacy with a healthy splash of creativity and just a drop of his madness in every cocktail served. There’s a continuously rotating cocktail list showcasing outstandingly yummy creations, and the option of going off-menu and having the team create a personalised libation based on each guests’ preferred flavours are the core of the drinks programme.
