Gay Edinburgh & Glasgow
Nightlife
When it comes to having a good time, the Scots certainly know how to kick up their kilts. A night out in either Edinburgh or Glasgow is sure to last until the wee hours of the morning thanks to the fabulous venues that call both cities home.
For a sublimely Scottish gay experience, explore the Merchant City district of Glasgow. Most of the best pubs, clubs and cafes are located in the square blocks that constitute the area, making an evening of bar-hopping perfectly possible. You can dip into each spot briefly, until you find out which one suits your tastes. And with them being open all hours, there is something for everyone.
Edinburgh also hosts most of its happening spots in the same location, specifically in the streets surrounding Broughton Street and Greenside Place. While there are a number of pre-club drinking dens in which to wile away the hours – almost everyone ends up in CC Blooms, the un-official gay capital of the city.
Don’t worry if clubbing and pubbing isn’t your thing. Live entertainment is alive and well in Scotland’s urban centres. Glasgow has numerous wonderful alternative performance venues including a comedy club specializing in gay comedy every second Wednesday of the month – Oot in Glasgow.
For highbrow offerings, Edinburgh is the place to head for. The Scottish capital has a number of beautifully maintained and restored theatres that often find some of the biggest names in British theatre and pop gracing its stages.
Glasgow Drinking and Dancing
Bennett's
Glasgow’s longest established and largest gay dance club. 80-90 Glasford Street, G1. Tel: +44 141 883 9055.
Delmonica’s
Wildly popular lesbian & gay pop dance bar. In the same complex as Moda and the Polo Lounge. Virginia Street, G1. Tel: +44 141 552 4803.
Merchant Pride
Merchant City bar with regular entertainment. 20 Candleriggs, G1. Tel: +44 141 564 1285.
Mercury Lounge
New dance club and bar, hosts comedy nights and regular club night ‘Burley’. 142 Bath Lane, G2. Tel: +44 141 248 1777.
Moda
Smart, stylish gay cocktail lounge that attracts Glasgow’s beautiful people. Adjacent to Polo Lounge. 58 Virginia Street, G1. Tel: +44 141 553 2553.
Polo Lounge
Gorgeous, luxurious and spacious bar with antique furniture and basement dance club. The most beautiful gay bar in Britain. 84 Wilson Street, G1. Tel: +44 141 553 1221.
Revolver Bar
Smart modern cellar bar with a subtly macho edge. 6a John Street, G1. Tel: +44 141 553 2456.
Sadie Frost’s
Mixed/gay bar that’s very central and popular as a meeting point day and night. 8-10 West George Street, G1. Tel: +44 141 332 8005.
Waterloo Bar
Traditional style pub popular with an older male crowd. 306 Argyle Street, G1. Tel: +44 141 229 5891.
Glasgow Theatre and Entertainment
Centre for Contemporary Arts (www.cca-glasgow.com)
Music, film, performance, visual art at this unique centre. Sauchiehall Street, G2. Tel: +44 141 352 4900.
Glasgow Film Theatre
Art house movies in beautiful, post art-deco surroundings. Very gay and lesbian friendly. 12 Rose Street, G3. Tel: +44 141 332 8128.
Oot in Glasgow
Regular monthly gay stand up comedy club. Second Wednesday monthly. Stand Comedy Club, 333 Woodlands Road, G1. Tel: 0870 600 6055.
Theatre Royal
Handsome Victorian theatre, home of Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet. 282 Hope Street, G2. Tel: +44 141 332 3321.
Tron Theatre
Respected drama theatre with stylish bar and restaurant. 63 Trongate, G1. Tel: +44 141 552 4267.
Edinburgh Drinking and Dancing
CC Blooms
Edinburgh’s main gay nightspot. Follow the crowds downstairs for a spot of sweaty dancing. 23-4 Greenside Place, Leith Walk, EH1. Tel: +44 131 556 9331.
Habana
Great pre-club drinking spot. The tables in front draw large crowds on warm summer evenings. 22 Greenside Place, Leith Walk, EH1. Tel: +44 131 558 1270.
Laughing Duck
Cozy, unpretentious pub with comfy booths and couches. 24 Howe Street, EH3. Tel: +44 131 220 2376.
New Town Bar
Cruisy bar. Popular with gay men of all types, sizes and ages. 26B Dublin Street, EH3. Tel: +44 131 538 7775.
Planet Out
The friendliest bar in town. The community-minded vibe attracts a mix of men and women. 6 Baxter’s Place, EH1. Tel: +44 131 524 0061.
Stag & Turret
Popular venue, especially amongst the ladies. 1-7 Montrose Terrace, EH7. Tel: +44 131 661 6443.
Edinburgh Theatre and Entertainment
Edinburgh Playhouse
Edinburgh’s largest venue for live performance. Often hosts big-name touring rock stars and West End musicals. 18-22 Greenside Place, EH1. Tel: 0870 606 3424.
King’s Theatre
Lovely Edwardian theatre built in 1905. Now home to touring companies, including the Royal Shakespeare Company. 2 Leven Street, EH3. Tel: +44 131 529 6000.
Traverse Theatre
Trendy theatre specializing in contemporary Scottish work. 10 Cambridge Street, EH1. Tel: +44 131 228 1404.